From drjoho@swbell.net Fri Jun 04 09:43:09 2004
Subject:Re: More on the Clone Comparisons

Bruce,

You bring up some very good points.

I have been somewhat confused by the statements that, for example, all the
"Naked" samples
sound pretty much the same. I am using both powered studio monitors and
Sennheiser Headphones
and I can hear and describe differences between each of the MP3s. What I am
trying to say is that
the playback gear is very important and not only do we have different
tastes, but we have different
playback gear that colors the sound in different ways.

I listened to some the mp3s through my daughters computer setup and what I
heard was VERY
different from what I get on my monitors or good headphones (both having a
relative flat response).

So, I agree with Bruce, find the best audio environment for your listening
pleasure.

Josiah
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Wahler"
To: "CloneWheel Support Group"
Sent: Friday, June 04, 2004 9:37 AM
Subject: [CWSG] More on the Clone Comparisons

Hello All,

I've been reading though many of the comments, and I've found that the
"favorites" don't line up well -- in fact, some of my bests could be someone
else's worsts, and vice versa. How could this happen? Aside from personal
tasttes -- which certainly will vary -- could it also be related to the
playback gear?

I would imagine that most list members end up playing back the MP3s on their
computer, since it's the easiest way to get at the files. The next most
popular method is probably listening to them through headphones on a
portable MP3 player or jukebox. I would argue that neither of these is
optimal, unless the computer/MP3 player is connected to an amp and speakers
of the same timbre and quality as the listener's clone system. Put another
way, the best imitation through headphones or PC speakers is immaterial,
unless that's also the way one practices and performs. None of the Leslie
simulators is a perfect copy of all the artifacts of a mic'ed Leslie, and
all of them are relying on psychoacoustic tricks to make their simulations
work. These tricks sound different through various sound systems, and they
will certainly sound different through headphones. I do a lot of
synth/ROMpler programming -- much of it at night, when I can't turn up the
volume -- and so I use headphones. I'
m always surprised at how much I have to change vibrato, reverb, and echo
levels between the "perfect" balance through headphones, and the "perfect"
balance through a PA or keyboard system. Vibrato is especially aggravating,
because if it sounds great through speakers, it has an over-the-top warble
through headphones, while perfect headphone settings sound almost hidden
through speakers. Leslie-simulated MP3s will have the same issues, compared
to the reference Hammond.

I auditioned the MP3s on my PC because I have a studio-monitor quality sound
system connected to my PC, which I use for mixdown; I use a similar-sounding
PA system when playing. Most PC sound systems, though, even the kind made
for PCs by Logitech/Altec-Lansing/Cambridge Soundworks/etc., are tailored
towards the needs of game players, and tend to be bass-heavy and
midrange-deficient. Rather then listening through such a system, it might
be better to drag your keyboard amp or powered speakers into the room and
listen to the MP3 played through that sound system.

Regards,

-BW
--
Bruce Wahler
Ashby SolutionsT http://music.ashbysolutions.com
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com

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