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Mono v. Stereo

Subject: Mono v. Stereo
From: "Syd Curtis"
Date: Mon Dec 29, 2008 4:27 am ((PST))
John Hartog has referred to mono having limited potential as compared to
stereo.  May I add one minor qualification.

If the recording is being made for pleasant listening, then certainly stereo
is the way to go.  However, if it is for detailed analysis of the sound made
by a particular bird, insect, or whatever, this may not necessarily be the
case.  

High frequencies attenuate with distance more rapidly than low frequencies.
Therefore if one wants an accurate recording, (and as free as possible from
extraneous sounds), it is advantageous to have the microphone close to the
sound source.  For my work on lyrebird vocalisation I aim to have the mic
less than 2 metres from the bird.

In that situation, stereo offers no advantage over mono.

    Syd Curtis

(Brisbane, Australia)



> From: "John Hartog" <>
> Reply-To: 
> Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 23:05:40 -0000
> To: 
> Subject: [Nature Recordists] Re: First post--Need Some Advice
> 
> There is nothing inherently wrong with recording in mono, just like
> there is nothing wrong with recording with a noisy mic. However, it
> will limit the potential of your recording.




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