binary = 2 + aural = of or relating to the ear or to the sense of hearing ------------------ binaural
"binaural" simply means "hearing with 2 ears"
What is Binaural Recording then? Binaural recording captures sound the way we hear it with 2 ears. To make recordings, 2 microphones are worn, 1 in each ear. Recording sound at the entry to the 2 ears, exactly where earbuds sit, the mics capture the acoustic signature of the head and ears. Note that this acoustic signature of the head and ears is NOT on virtually any commercial recording ever made. Binaural is fundamentally different: Because binaural recording DOES capture the acoustic signature of the head and ears, it is the most perceptually realistic recording technique in the world for humans. By capturing sound the way we hear as humans, our brains can most easily understand the subtle complexity of the sound and make sense of it. I call it perceptual ergonomics: a recording form fitted to your brain's auditory perception.
And? Therefore, when you play these binaural recordings with earbuds (this is a requirement!), it is as if you are "wearing the ears" of the person who made the recording. You can hear sounds all around you in 3D like it was real life, rather than a recording of real life.
How to listen: I'd recommend downloading to your iPod via subscription to the podcast. Then, eliminate other noise around you, close your eyes, and see just how good your auditory perception system really is. Only Requirements: 1) Use earbuds or headphones, NOT speakers!!! 2) Make sure left is left and right is right.
Pretty simple.
Here is a really great video with audio of 3 different binaural recording techniques that allows you to see the binaural recording device and sound source while you hear it. Thanks for this video go to Bird vs. Alligator and Rafael Sentoma.
Iceland Airwaves 2008: Thursday: Sam Amidon @ Kaffibarinn 15:30.
Friday: Walking around Harbor and Reykjavik Art Museum, Economic Protest in Reykjavik, Walking around Laugarvegur, Hjaltalin @ Skífan 15:00, Anne Brun @ Kaffibarinn 15:30, For a Minor Reflection @ 12 Tónar (recorded from the couch downstairs) 17:00, Seabear @ Reykjavik Art Museum.
Saturday: Rökkurró @ Iðnó 20:00, Miracle Fortress @ Organ 23:15.
The Pacific and Atlantic Oceans:
Oregon, California, and Massachusetts coast binaural recordings.
Late Night Trains Echoing Through The City:
Trains blowing their horns late at night in a foggy western city.
San Francisco, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Mojave Desert, and Los Angeles.
This is a really great side by side comparison of 3 variations of binaural recording techniques. The first method with the manikin is similar to my ultra hi-fi setup while the other 2 mimic the biology of humans less and less. Listening to the short video allows you to quickly understand what binaural is by hearing the moving ringing phone sound source while seeing its location in reference to the microphones. Great thanks for this video go to Bird vs. Alligator and Rafael Sentoma. I put it permanently in my "What is Binaural?" section. Check it out:
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