>> While I do not wish to challenge your subjectivity, I find this statemen=
t difficult to believe. A rip from a typical over-compressed rock record so=
unds bad no matter how it is packaged. There's almost no dynamics and relat=
ively little variety in tonal information. But you are saying it will sound=
worse with MP3?
>
> I don't listen to that type of audio. Orchestral & choral, but nothing th=
at is compressed in the 'modern' way.
The days of simple orchestral and choral recording are long gone. The usual=
technique is to use close multi-micing and multitrack recording which is
mixed down later with motorised faders and controls. What mixer can resist=
the urge to clean up incoming channels, compressing peaks which would
otherwise ride over the whole and using noise gating with an expander?
The BBC does some excellent live mixes, but these are even more complex and=
also use variable time delays on the inputs. Every note of every instrument=
is audible, but their "apparent distance" varies with the mix. The overall=
result it very listenable, but is a long way from any live performance. In =
a
good auditorium, space surround sound mics are used, with or without digita=
l
reverb.
You can hear all this happening if you concentrate on one instrument or
section. Their apparent distance varies as the mix is altered. For instance=
an instrumental solo will be given prominence before disappearing back into=
the general mix. Percussion is easier to mix after a limiter. There is also=
the problem in integrating classical vocal soloists who have to be carefull=
y
placed and distanced in the sound image. You can't leave them on a fixed
input gain with the dynamics of a orchestra behind them.
How do you reckon they handle opera singers moving around on stage?
With respect to digital code compression, the BBC launched HD audio on
320kb/s on Radio3 (the "classic" channel) online after trialling 24 bit and=
other ideas. The trials verdict seems to have suggested there is little
improvement on maximum rate mp3.
David Brinicombe
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