Re: [photo-3d] Re: Binaural Sound

["Dr. George A. Themelis" <drt-3d@xxxxxxx>]

As John A. Rupkalvis said, you can make a "headphone"
type microphone.  Actually, these are available commercially.
One type fits in headphones and another type is used
with (viewing) glasses.

A simple "T" stereo microphone, even though strickly
not a binaural microphone because of the shorter spacing
of the two individual microphones (still, the two 
microphones face away from each other), gives much 
better recordings than a single microphone.  Certain
sounds (like the sound of waves splashing on a rock)
are too complex for 2D, just like certain scenes are
too complex to be recorded and viewed in 2D.

Regarding the comments that Mark Dottle made, yes 
playing back binaural recordings through speakers is
not ideal.  Consider this:  Binaural recordings consist
of two channels and the left ear must listen to the left
channel and the right ear must listen to the right channel.
If you play this sound through speakers then the right
ear hears the left channel too and the left ear hears the
right channel.  This "cross talk" (similar to depolarization
in stereo projection) is detrimental for faithful sound
reproduction and the "being there" feeling.

The best way to enjoy binaural recordings is through
a pair of headphones, just like a stereo viewer is the
best way to enjoy stereo images.  Commercial
"stereo" recordings are not binaural but are optimized
for hearing through speakers, not headphones.

I like to compare "stereo" recordings to lenticular
stereo images.   Optimizing a binaural recording
to be played through speakers is similar like converting
a stereo image to a lenticular image.  No glasses are
required but the effect is not as good as using a stereo
viewer.

Today with inexpensive and very compact minidisc 
players/recorders, good quality sound recordings
are within reach for most of us.  Digital access and
editing is an added convenience.  I take my MD
recorder in places where I cannot take pictures so
I can still record precious memories.  I have found
a new dimension which complements my stereo
photography very well.

George Themelis




 

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