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Re: How do we listen?

Subject: Re: How do we listen?
From: "Max" oatcruncher
Date: Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:12 am ((PDT))
Hi David, and thanks for your reply also Arnthor.
David, I don't know what you mean by a power spectrum; please explain.
The next thing about your reply that intrigued me was, to quote "I also lik=
e to see active sounds on a spectrogram above my ears' HF cutoff." Is this =
just pure perversion, in regards the inability to hear these sounds, or som=
ething else? To me, these ghost sounds are pure frustration! How I'd love t=
o be able to hear them. I see beautiful, clear spectrograms of birdsong tha=
t I can't hear; brrrrr! The last time I checked, my HF cut-off was around 9=
K I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's not lower than that now!
I thank you for sharing your LF rolloff settings - interesting.
I can imagine that this could be a vast subject, well capable of at least a=
 chapter in a book, and it's only now I'm realising it.
Cheers
Max



--- In   wrote:
>
> > What I mean is, do you listen to them with the default amp setting, or =
with either bass/treble or equalizer adjustment?
> > In my particular case, when listening to either edited or commercial so=
und, I adjust via graphic equalizer (computer) or bass/treble (hi-fi), to c=
ompensate mainly for high frequency hearing loss. What I find odd is, that =
it was only yesterday for the first time, that I did this while editing!

>
> Max,
>
> I could write an essay on the subject but I'll spare the list. :-)
>
> With all recording you have to "calibrate" your ears. Playback systems,
> headphones and especially loudspeakers in rooms, have a variable frequenc=
y
> response and we all have to compensate for this at least.
>
> Find a listening setting that sounds natural and monitor using this setti=
ng,
> including the volume level. However, you also need to check some examples=
 of
> original recordings using a power spectrum. With a hosepipe or compressed=

> air or rain, you should get an idea of the natural HF rolloff. Also look =
at
> some recent recordings of water on Soundcloud. I also like to see active=

> sounds on a spectrogram above my ears' HF cutoff.
>
> When it comes to equalising recordings, many hature sounds they can benef=
it
> with a gentle LF rolloff to reduce anthropogenic noise. My default HPF is=

> 800Hz 0dB; 400Hz -1dB; 200Hz -3dB; below that -3dB per octave. Unless you=

> have to compensate for a mic fault or a rig hiccup, the rest is often bes=
t
> left flat.
>
> Once you are happy with your listening equalisation, stick to it. Also as=
k
> others with their own hearing oddities (we all have them) to comment.
>
> David Brinicombe
>








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