This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
what if any is the difference in sound between a recording and a live voice, between a voice on the telephone and the same voice live?
Let's say you heard your mother's voice in the next room. You couldn't see what was in there, and you knew it might be a recording or it might be her in there speaking live. Is there a difference in sound quality between recorded sound and live sound, so that you could know whether it is a recording or her live? If there is a difference how would you characterize it? People who are not audio experts are welcome to give their opinion.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Lejan . 30+
Assuming the best possible audio equipment and no knowledge about the damping characteristic of the given environment, in which the indirect sound travels through and therefore changes, I assume there is no way to distinguish in between a real and a recorded voice of a person.
If the frequency reproduction of the speaker system was imperfect and even known, it may not be traceable due to the general distortion by damping, propagation delay and echoing in between both rooms, as it overall characteristic changes.
So only if the whole environment was measured in its damping behavior throughout the whole noticeable frequency band of the human ear, we would then know about the changes to somewhat reconstruct the original sound source.
Yet only very dominant speaker imperfections in certain frequency bands were detectable this way for the 'backward calculations' to 'find' them within the sound-field changing environment, as we may get to little equations for to many unknown variables.
The easiest way to be certain about the presence of our mothers in the other room was just to go and see for them ..., even though this takes away the whole technical challenge ... :o)
greg dahlen 20+
Always I have this slight wish to free myself from technology, for example here in the States the average person watches TV six hours a day, and it seems wrong! Perhaps by studying sound I can free myself a bit from the attraction of the mechanical entertainments. Where are you on technology, pro, anti, mixed? Why?
Interestingly, I think even on the best audio equipment available, you will find a difference between live sound and recorded.
Lejan . 30+
there is nothing disappointing to get a better understanding of your question even though I have to admit that I probably danced to often to close to very loud speakers, so that my ears won't sense any difference between a recording and those magical guests in my living room... :o)
Also I have no TV, as I found myself only listening to it in the background while doing other things, so I switched to a radio and use less electrical energy this way.
The most realistic recordings I have ever heard were binaural ones, which are best by using earphones.
If you are interested, have a 'hear' to this samples:
(binaural) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSSLQf95-Nc
For comparison, here is the same song as a usual stereo recording:
(stereo) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2yt1ooLQGo
And some classical piano music:
(binaural) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDiTTXlchiY&list=PL4E0E2CE806FA4630
In terms of '3D space' and the use of ordinary audio equipment, this is the best you can get.
I have no idea why binaural recordings did not become a standard in the music industry, especially today, were many people listen to music via headphones and their mp3 player...
On technology I am quite mixed and it just depends on the application and its use and has the whole grey-scale from anti to pro.
I hope your studies will bring you a better understanding of sound and maybe a visit at your local theater closer to the magic of live performance... :o)
Enjoy!
greg dahlen 20+
But since I really value your opinion, try to cast your mind back to perfect hearing times. It doesn't have to be actors, or magically transported, or the other room. If you and your friend sat in a room with average recording equipment; you recorded him saying something and played it back and listened to it; then he said the same things live, in the same way, he said on the recording: would it sound different, and if so, how? Do you agree that the recording would sound duller, and the live voice brighter? Can you add to the description of difference? Do you agree that refining your sense of hearing, of sound, of becoming more articulate about sound, is a very valuable skill?
Please reply above. Eventually I'll get to your links.