Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!mit-eddie!uw-beaver!zephyr.ens.tek.com!orca.wv.tek.com!anvil!stank From: stank@anvil.WV.TEK.COM (Stan Kalinowski) Newsgroups: comp.music Subject: Re: bi-neural audio Message-ID: <7771@orca.wv.tek.com> Date: 26 Jul 90 19:55:46 GMT References: <1184@enuxha.eas.asu.edu> Sender: nobody@orca.wv.tek.com Reply-To: stank@anvil.WV.TEK.COM (Stan Kalinowski) Distribution: comp Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville, OR Lines: 28 In article , ericm@FtCollins.NCR.com (Eric.Mintz) writes: > > Has anyone heard of bi-neural audio? One of the shows on NPR will have I believe the correct term is binaural. In this context it refers to a method of recording that involves stereo microphones placed in the ear positions in a mockup of a human head. The theory is that the recording contains all spacial auditory information that the ears would gather if they were at the original performance. It is necessary to use headphones on playback so that there is no "crosstalk" between left and right ears. (i.e. the sound field is reproduced the same way as it was recorded.) In my opinion, the only flaw in this concept is that it cannot reproduce the effect of moving one's head to gain more perspective on the sounds directional characteristics. Similar head movements are used by humans and some animals to help visually judge distance. Despite the limitations of the binaural recording, I think the NPR broadcasts are a wonderful way to allow a larger group of people experience this unique recording technique. It might be interesting to see if keeping your head very still and your eyes closed enhances the illusion of being there. Of course, you then run the risk of becoming bored and falling asleep. :-) stank US Mail: Stan Kalinowski, Tektronix, Inc., Interactive Technologies Division PO Box 1000, MS 60-850, Wilsonville OR 97070 Phone:(503)-685-2458 e-mail: {ucbvax,decvax,allegra,uw-beaver}!tektronix!orca!stank or stank@orca.WV.TEK.COM