Downloadable - Sonic Studios

description and knowledge, a Volkswagen Beetle is the same as a Hummer, is the same as a
Lexus sedan 'automobile.'
The term 'automobile' is just like using the term 'Binaural' as a description that's supposed to
convey what it is, and for what purposes something is good for. If this were the case, someone
who really should specify a HUMMER for rugged off-road travel requirement, may instead end
up with something else called an automobile. While correctly named an automobile, a Lexus
sedan or Beetle 'automobile' is totally unsuitable for a needed purpose. Someone may have really
needed a HUMMER, but got any automobile because this the only 'accepted' descriptive term for
all 4 wheel drive off-road vehicles. Kinda dumb, but this is a good analogy nonetheless.
In this same way, Binaural or Dummy Head is a most non-descriptive term as applied to all
HRTF, psychoacoustic, and patented DSM recording technology.
Yes, 'Binaural' is a HRTF, psychoacoustic recording method, but a subset or particular type of the
general form. DSM method is also a HRTF, psychoacoustic recording method, but is NOT
binaural in method as the term is understood, and playback ability as the 'binaural' term is now
regarded to mean in-ear worn, or in-ear dummy head microphones where it counts the most.
What is happening by using the 'Binaural' term for all HRTF or psychoacoustic methods?
Does the term Binaural really describe what you need to know to understand what it is, its past,
present, and application for today's playback systems?
In the '50s, 1-channel monaural expanded to 2-channel 'binaural' recordings and systems. Then
some years later, someone coined the word stereophonic, soon shortened to 'Stereo' and the
'Binaural' term fell to disuse, and was mostly forgotten until person-worn in-the-ears, and
synthetic-ear-dummy head recording was termed as 'Binaural' recording. This term for headmic's
recording has survived to this day. Yes, Binaural is (a type of) stereo, but a very special kind
of stereo to say the least.
In today's professional audio world, Binaural is a mostly 'dirty word' as now recognized as a deadend
'hobby grade' technology, NOT suitable for prime-time recording method. Reason is mostly
'binaural's' very limited, non-universal playback ability for general media products.
Many years ago some creative media professionals tried 'in-ear Binaural' for commercial projects
and were mostly embarrassed, even chastised when only a short few seconds were tolerable as
interesting on anything, but headphones. Even so, for a small percentage of listeners with
radically different 'ear-shape' signature, even headphones listening was intolerable.
'Binaural mix to mono was 'discovered' to be generally awful, vinyl Binaural records were nearly
impossible to cut for having too much the 'phase' information for the 'cutter (and playback
stylus)' to mechanically follow, so professional (broadcast radio) usage was solely limited to (tape
recorded, and later on CD) Binaural stereo headphone FM listening programs like the more
recent 'Binaural Audition' hosted by John Sunier.