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Re: [ARSCLIST] Stereo records.
phillip holmes wrote:
Bob (others),
On summing to mono in the bass, besides the option of doing so by
mastering engineers, didn't many labels send tapes that had the bass in
mono? I just don't hear many LPs that have true stereo bass. The few
classical records I have with huge bass in stereo are easy to identify
visually (big old grooves). I'm not trying to contradict you, but I've
got very large servo stereo subwoofers, and with a lot of major
releases, I don't hear swirling bass, bass panned hard left or right,
and ping-pong bass.
... and you are not likely to hear stereo in the bass under normal
circumstances. Bass is low frequency which means long wavelength. The
speed of sound in air is around 1000 feet per second so a 100 Hz tone
has a wavelength of about 10 feet. (If you prefer another unit, feel
free to convert to furlongs per fortnight or what you will.)
In practice in the home environment a single subwoofer crossed over in
the 60-100 Hz range and placed anywhere in the room is likely to give
the best bass. With two woofers placed reasonable distance apart,
interference effects - even if they're driven with the same signal -
will exacerbate the standing waves of the room. Room acoustics are at
least consistent over time and frequency, varying only with position of
the listener. "Stereo" interference varies with position *and* frequency.
Three quick comments on which experts may wish to expound.
1. Headphones have similar effect thanks to the dimensions of the head
and the ears' phase sensitivity.
2. I believe there can be similar interferometry if stereo mikes are
used for bass pickup.
3. If by "bass" you mean significantly higher frequencies, say from 200
Hz, then ignore the above.
Mike
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mrichter@xxxxxxx
http://www.mrichter.com/