NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/rec/music/classica/19259

Text File | 1992-12-23 | 3.5 KB | 64 lines

Newsgroups: rec.music.classical
Path: sparky!uunet!gatech!rpi!news.columbia.edu!cunixa.cc.columbia.edu!gmw1
From: [e-mail] (Gabe M Wiener)
Subject: Re: Recorded using B&W speakers
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Keywords: B&W
Sender: [e-mail] (The Network News)
Nntp-Posting-Host: cunixa.cc.columbia.edu
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Gabe M Wiener)
Organization: Columbia University
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 06:03:51 GMT
Lines: 49

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Andrew Fung) writes:
>I wonder if B&W speakers can save the world recorded music. Before DG uses
>B&W speakers, their recordings are usually contricted and tutti is coarse.
>Sometimes, they have really good recordings, I admit. But after their use of
>B&W speakers, their recordings are now totally different. They are no longer
>compressed, constricted. They now have a wide dynamic and frequency range.
>Some recordings, e.g. Bernstein's late ones, almost want to burn out your
>speakers. Now, Decca (London), EMI are also adopting the use of B&W speakers.
>I wonder if B&W speakers are really that magical?

It isn't a matter of magic.  A speaker will never make a recording better.
A good speaker system, when properly matched with a good aplification system,
will remove various levels of veiling that can be present in a playback
system.  In a properly-set-up system, one can get a truer picture of the
sound stage, a more natural sense of imaging, and a more accurate rendering
of the timbral qualities of the instruments.

Good speakers are only tools through which recording engineers and producers
judge the quality of what they have done with the microphones.  B&W speakers
won't help you make a good recording if you don't know what microphones to
use and, more importantly, if you don't know how to use them.

There are many, many techniques used for making good stereo recordings.  All
of them are fine in some circumstances and horrid in others.  A well-designed
monitor system lets you judge how well you're doing as an engineer.

The B&W speakers, particularly the 801 Matrix III's and sometimes the 800's,
are thought of as true reference transducers.  There are other models that
also fit this category...including the older Duntech Sovereigns, and the
current Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy system.   These systems are popular for
recording (and more often, for mastering) work because they give the
engineer a true picture of what's going to tape.

The advantage of using B&W speakers (or another fine brand) for monitoring
is that you bring out all the flaws in your recording right then and there.
Recordings monitored and judged through transducers of less-than-ideal
quality often have flaws that are audible through high-end audiophile grade
systems.  Many feel that these problems can be avoided by monitoring on
such a system in the first place.

But no.  B&W speakers aren't magical, and they won't make your recording
sound good if you don't know what you're doing with the microphones.


--
Gabe Wiener - Columbia Univ.     "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings
[e-mail]       to be seriously considered as a means of
N2GPZ in ham radio circles        communication. The device is inherently of
72355,1226 on CI$                 no value to us." -Western Union memo, 1877