Binaural Audio
I’m sure I’ve talked about this before in this, or some other blog, but I have this love for binaural recordings.
Binaural sounds like it might be quite complex but really, it is anything but! It’s such an easy thing for anyone to do. Let me explain the process and how it all works.
Recording live music binaurally
We, as human beings, hear sound through a pair of ears, located either side of our head. These ears are separated by about 5-8 inches on the same horizontal plane. They capture & shape the audio, and focus it on the ear drum which in turn vibrates tiny bones and the brain interprets that as sound. So, the binaural method simply places 2 microphones about 5-8 inches apart and on the same horizontal plane. These each occupy one of two tracks that, when played back through stereo headphones, give the binaural effect. The left mic feeds the left channel and the right feeds the right, therefore the sound that is recorded is recorded the same way we hear it.
Nuemann KU100 Binaural Microphone
Of course, the drawback is that you have to listen to binaural recordings through headphones to get the best effect. Listening through regular stereo speakers pretty much loses the effect. The best bit about binaural is how it recreates the full three dimensional soundscape that we experience in real life. Because of the way our brain decodes incoming audio to the ears, it places all sounds for us in the three dimensions. Because binaural recording accurately replicates this method of audio capture, when you listen back, the brain performs the same processing and it decodes the hidden spatial information and it feels like we’re actually there. Sounds that happen above the mics, when played back, appear to be occurring overhead, even when there is no speaker there! It’s simple, clever stuff.
Binaural Microphone
You can easily make your own binaural recordings by acquiring two microphones, wiring them up so that each one feeds one channel of a stereo pair and then placing them in the right position and plugging into a recorder. Some people use elaborate dummy heads that have replica ears, with all the pinae and a mic buried where the ear cavity is. Some just attach the mics to their shirt collars or their regular headphones with crocodile clips!
Recording binaurally out in the field
So, what prompted me to write this post was finding this group on SoundCloud…
Choc full of some lovely home made binaural work, there are some proper little gems in here.
But for some really awesome binaural stuff, check out Bilocation by Steve Marshall. This 41 minute piece is a blend of ambient sounds, music and general audio joy. It is available on regular Binaural stereo CD or in DTS 5.1 on DVD. On this version, Steve used transaural processing to utilise the 6 speaker configuration of most home cinema set ups. Listening to the 5.1 version requires you to sit in a “sweet spot” but you are freed from the shackles of headphones. Steve wrote an article for Sound On Sound that better explains the processes he used.
So, whack on some headphones and have a listen to the recordings offered over at SoundCloud, and then, if you feel inspired, go out and make some of your own! There’s no clever jiggery pokery involved! 
Diatonis – Ambient Music in Stereo and 5.1 Surround
Just stumbled across this artist who creates ambient music in both stereo & 5.1.
The blurb says:
“Based in Los Angeles California, Diatonis’ music consists of an eclectic mix of ambient, electronic, and world styles. The music ranges from being very dreamlike and ethereal to dark and foreboding and gives you a sense of sanctuary. Powerful, Hypnotic, and Dreamlike. Diatonis also works in 5.1 surround and has a DVD-Audio disc available from his website.”
As well as his commercial releases, he (I’m assuming it’s a he !) has some free DTS, AC-3 and WMA 5.1 downloads. These should give you a good idea before commiting to a purchase.
I’ve had a listen and if Ambient is your thing, you will probably like this 
)
Diatonis – Ambient Music in Stereo & 5.1 Surround
Just stumbled across this artist who creates ambient music in both stereo & 5.1.
The blurb says:
“Based in Los Angeles California, Diatonis’ music consists of an eclectic mix of ambient, electronic, and world styles. The music ranges from being very dreamlike and ethereal to dark and foreboding and gives you a sense of sanctuary. Powerful, Hypnotic, and Dreamlike. Diatonis also works in 5.1 surround and has a DVD-Audio disc available from his website.”
As well as his commercial releases, he (I’m assuming it’s a he !) has some free DTS, AC-3 and WMA 5.1 downloads. These should give you a good idea before commiting to a purchase.
I’ve had a listen and if Ambient is your thing, you will probably like this )
Bjork – Surrounded
I have always liked Bjork. For one, she’s cute. Secondly, and most importantly, she is an incredible talent. Her music, her performances, her personality, are all so incredibly unique. Her music spans so many emotions and genres, evoking a myriad emotions and requiring in depth listening and a level of intelligence not normally required in pop music.
She is also no stranger to the world of 5.1, having released Vespertine, Medulla and Volta in various surround formats. Vespertine & Medulla were released in DVD-A & SACD as well as featuring Dolby/DTS mixes. Volta was just Dolby/DTS mixes. It would appear that Bjork has also seen the impending demise of DVD-A & SACD and tailored her output accordingly.
However, it is only these three albums so far that have received 5.1 mixes, until now. Surrounded is a luscious and sumptuous box set that contains her first seven studio albums, all featuring the original CD masters on one side of a DualDisc, with the other side containing remastered 5.1 versions in Dolby & DTS 96/24 along with all the accompanying promo videos for the singles. So now we can enjoy not only Vespertine and Medulla, but also Debut, Post, Homogenic, SelmaSongs and Drawing Restraint 9 in our favoured format (Volta is not included as this box set pre dates its release).
This box set has been out for some while but slipped under my radar. You can pick it up for as little as £49.99 from places like Play.Com.
I’m saving already
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly….
Three more titles entered my surround music collection this week and the difference in quality and presentation couldn’t be more obvious.
First up we have the Good….
Their eponymously titled 12th album, containing the classic tracks, Mama, That’s All, Home By The Sea and Illegal Alien, is part of the Genesis Remastered catalogue that is seeing the light of day at the moment. Two sets have already been released, spanning 1976 to 1998. The final chapter, 70-75, will be available in September.
Presented in a similar way to the Depeche Mode remasters, these albums each have two discs. One is SACD/CD and the other a DVD Video. Both feature the entire album in 5.1. The DVD Video version offers either Dolby Digital or DTS 96/24 soundtracks as well as photo galleries and a short film of interviews with the band on how the album was made.
The packaging isn’t as sumptuous as the Depeche Mode albums, but sufficient nonetheless.
As for audio quality, it is superb as expected, with a rich and full soundscape. Phil’s vocals tend to be focused on the centre channel more than some other surround albums I have heard. 5.1 mixers vary between those that favour the front centre for vocals or those that like to spread the vocals around the soundfield. I tend to prefer the latter, but either way, this works.
I am now seriously tempted to acquire the rest of the collection.
Now for the Bad….
I was eagerly anticipating this title. I had scoured the web and the shops for this and eventually found it and it arrived promptly last week. This package contains not only the New Master of Oxygene, but also the “LIve In Your Living Room” performance of the entire piece by JMJ and friends in 2D and 3D !
Well, in 2D, this is an impressive piece, especially watching JMJ jumping on and off classic synths and the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio gives it great depth, but the 3D version is poor to the point of being unwatchable ! I’ve tried numerous screens and glasses but it still looks very poor.
But the real mystery is the audio CD. On the Oxygene website, it states that there are 3 versions of this title. Version one is a single audio CD. No frills, just the album. Version two is a two disc affair, with the 2D film and what they claim to be a 5.1 multichannel SACD version of the studio recording. Version three is the same as version two but with the added bonus of the Stereoscopic film.
Well, my 3D version has just a regular Redbook audio CD. No mention of SACD anywhere.
Sadly, as these are quite rare in shops, I have not been able to find a 2D version which is claimed to be an SACD, so I can confirm it. If it is indeed SACD, it would appear that EMI/JMJ have hatched a cynical marketing ploy to get you to buy the album twice if you want the 3D movie as well as the SACD studio recording.
I am currently investigating and will report back as soon as I find anything out.
Finally, we have the Ugly….
I saw this for £6 in Zavvi and thought “why not”. It’s an unofficial yet legitimate release and I found out afterwards that Gary has disowned this release, saying he has nothing to do with it and didn’t approve it. I then found some reviews that said the quality was poor and indeed, it’s not the best in the world. If you’re going to release a sub-standard collection of recordings, you’re probably best not to release it on DVD-A, whose massive headroom will be unforgiving and show up any problems with consumate ease.
However, it’s nice to have something from Gaz in surround. Maybe it’s a potential project for him in the future. He has just re-released the 1979 Tubeway Army classic, “Replicas” to coincide with his tour this year (which I have tickets for next month !) and whilst this album is remastered and contains bonus tracks, it isn’t in surround. Can you imagine “Down In The Park” or “Are Friends Electric?” in 5.1 ?? )
So, whilst many attach a quality label to SACD & DVD-A, some of these releases clearly show that the badge means chuff all.
The Final Five….
At last !! The final five Depeche Mode Remastered albums turned up today. A tad delayed due to the fact that Songs Of Faith & Devotion was out of stock, but well worth the wait. Sadly, as I am an impatient man, and Mutebank weren’t sure until this week that they were going to get SOFAD in anytime soon, I ordered the five albums again from a shop on eBay. Fingers crossed they will turn up ok and I guess I will just have to find buyers for them. So, if anyone wants them at £12 per album with a nominal P+P charge, just drop me a line. First come, first served. I’ll do all 5 for £60 with free shipping. [UK ONLY - Any overseas, contact me first]
Anyway, here are Music For The Masses, Violator, Songs Of Faith & Devotion, Ultra & Exciter with the first five that I got last month, Speak & Spell, A Broken Frame, Construction Time Again, Some Great Reward & Black Celebration. Along with Playing the Angel (SACD/DVD) and 101 (SACD), I now have the entire DM 5.1 catalogue. Will they ever do the SOFAD Live album in 5.1 ?? That would be the icing on the cake )
EDIT: Albums sold ! )
Latest Surround Sound purchase
The first Depeche Mode studio album to receive the 5.1 treatment was Playing The Angel, released as a double disc SACD/DVD package in 2005. Disc 1 is a Hybrid SACD with stereo and 5.1 layers. Disc 2 contains a DD & DTS 96/24 5.1 mix plus a “Making Of” Documentary, photo gallery and a couple of promo video’s.
As with all their other 5.1 releases, this is a fine example of the medium.
On a side note, I’m currently awaiting delivery of the remaining five DM remasters but apparantly, Songs Of Faith & Devotion is currently out of stock so Mutebank tell me that the rest cannot be shipped to me until it arrives (
I have sourced an alternative supplier and hope to rectify this situation very soon.
Depeche Mode – The Remasters
Released last year, and created to celebrate 25 years in the business, the first 10 studio albums by Basildon band, Depeche Mode not only mark a stunning career but also a landmark surround sound music release. Each album is released in various formats (including Vinyl & CD) but the pinnalce is the collectors editions which feature 2 discs. Disc 1 is an SACD hybrid with remastered versions of the album in stereo and 5.1 multichannel at 24bit/96KHz. Disc 2 is a DVD (not DVD-A) that features the album in 5.1 Dolby Digital at 24bit & 5.1 DTS at 24bit/96KHz. This second disc also features b-sides, live tracks, remixes & singles not featured on the albums and a documentary chronicaling the band at the time each album was released. Held in gatefold sleeves with plastic protectors and a booklet with new pictures and sleeve notes, these releases are a must not only for fans, but for lovers of electronic music and surround sound alike.
EDIT: After popping DISC 1 of these albums into my car HiFi, I discovered that they also contain CDText, much to my (pleasant) surprise )
With their last studio album, “Playing The Angel” already released in 5.1, along with the live album, “101″, Depeche Mode are now undeniably the most prolific 5.1 musicians alive today.
I will be endeavouring to review each pack as time allows, but to be perfectly honest, I’m too busy enjoying listening to them !!
Visit Mute Records online store, Mutebank, for some incredible deals on these albums, including Multipack purchases.
Visit the microsite HERE
Depeche Mode – The Remasters
Released last year, and created to celebrate 25 years in the business, the first 10 studio albums by Basildon band, Depeche Mode not only mark a stunning career but also a landmark surround sound music release. Each album is released in various formats (including Vinyl & CD) but the pinnalce is the collectors editions which feature 2 discs. Disc 1 is an SACD hybrid with remastered versions of the album in stereo and 5.1 multichannel at 24bit/96KHz. Disc 2 is a DVD (not DVD-A) that features the album in 5.1 Dolby Digital at 24bit & 5.1 DTS at 24bit/96KHz. This second disc also features b-sides, live tracks, remixes & singles not featured on the albums and a documentary chronicaling the band at the time each album was released. Held in gatefold sleeves with plastic protectors and a booklet with new pictures and sleeve notes, these releases are a must not only for fans, but for lovers of electronic music and surround sound alike.
EDIT: After popping DISC 1 of these albums into my car HiFi, I discovered that they also contain CDText, much to my (pleasant) surprise )
With their last studio album, “Playing The Angel” already released in 5.1, along with the live album, “101″, Depeche Mode are now undeniably the most prolific 5.1 musicians alive today.
I will be endeavouring to review each pack as time allows, but to be perfectly honest, I’m too busy enjoying listening to them !!
Visit Mute Records online store, Mutebank, for some incredible deals on these albums, including Multipack purchases.
Visit the microsite HERE
