Depth in a recording ?

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
Full stage wide drum kits are just another recording and mixing artifact. I find it disconcerting.

I agree with your sentiments, in that as far as imaging goes you only require it to be stable in that instruments do not move.

But for each instrument the image does, if not move, still somewhat change across the frequency-range. Lower freqencies will sound more omnipresent than higher. Where the very highest will have more directionality.

Don't know if you agree with this? But if you do, what do you think of it? Is it perhaps an unavoidable artefact of multi-channel playback-systems that one should simply ignore? (By the way, I am a bit curious about single speaker playback. Is it viable?) Or is it perhaps indeed avoidable somehow? I'm asking because in my experience the only way to completely avoid it when reflections becomes so dominant that they smear the changes. This however is of course a solution that also has negative implications.

Thoughts?

In all systems, there is some degree of beaming as frequency increases. In my system, the balance between reflected sound and direct sound is such that instruments don't drift around the stage. That's about all the imaging I want.

When you assemble your stereo, it is a set of compromises between the gear and its room. The best you can do is to tune the voicing so it pleases you. Going further than that is a valley of tears. Eventually you just stop and accept what you have.

If you manage to preserve the articulation, pitch and harmonics, you are well ahead of the game. Dynamics are always nice, as well.

It's a different experience, listening to recordings, than it is to hear live music. Your stereo is adding the color of its voicing to the mix. No one else is going to hear that the same way, as the voicing of the stereo is different for each of us.

As for mono playback, that is not the way most of my recordings were intended to be replayed. I like to hear recordings as they were intended.

The reflections in my listening room have a threshold of loudness, beyond which the room "rings". That is what determined the real upper end of my volume knob for me.

A more important aspect of volume for me, is that every recording seems to have a single volume at which it plays best. This is an old idea, that every recording has a best volume in your room, and I think it has some merit.

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
A more important aspect of volume for me, is that every recording seems to have a single volume at which it plays best. This is an old idea, that every recording has a best volume in your room, and I think it has some merit.

Yes, I am familiar with this concept and I too find that it often concurs with what can be heard. Anyway, I am also happy with what I currently have. Not that I do not also have strong ideas of what and how it could be better, but thats more for pet-projects. Thanks to you and everyone else who so far contributed to this very informative thread.

quote:

every recording seems to have a single volume at which it plays best

100% - also most classical recordings have a lower set volume than rock/jazz/pop gendre
I like to listen front row circle & a smallish theatre sized room. Last evening I was listening to Anne Akiko Meyers, then went to Diana Krall - whooow - didn't want to sit on the piano.

After listening carefully to "Redemption song" I finally understand "depth". To be honest, I was not very impressed and find that listening for depth does not give me more enjoyment when listening to music.

Am I an official "flat-earther" now ?

At least the discussion helped me worrying less and I thank you all for that.

Philippe

quote:

I finally understand "depth". To be honest, I was not very impressed and find that listening for depth does not give me more enjoyment when listening to music.

No this is not FLAT EARTH
Flat earth is PRAT - pace rhythm attack timing
Round Earth is holographic 3D stage depth

Next listen should be DSOTM, many tracks have a lot of depth, the band is spread around front & back of the room acoustic, even has separate room effects. Also sound effects sweeping left/right & also front back. Even more pronounced on The Wall, the helicopter is very "depth" as it flies in from kilometres away.

Then you need to go classical, Do you have a small ensemble recorded in a church or hall (not studio).
Listen to the music in terms of where YOU are sitting in relation to the players.
Listen to the room acoustic, how high is the roof, how long is the room.

Room acoustics & stage depth is all the same stuff, its the minute atmospheric clues that come with the music.
But its all in your brain, its just your brain needs educated to accept that the speaker 2m away are not the sound source.

Have fun, but don't forget its music.

quote:

No this is not FLAT EARTH
Flat earth is PRAT - pace rhythm attack timing
Round Earth is holographic 3D stage depth

Not caring for depth is not flat earth ???

Anyway, I will have fun and not forget it's music.