Date:         Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:29:33 -0700
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
              <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
              <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Lou Judson <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Absolute Polarity
Comments: To: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
In-Reply-To:  <[log in to unmask]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Richard, are you talking about recorded sounds or a comparison with  
the abslute polarity heard in the room with the instrument?

Think of the sond emanating from the bottom of a piano, and how it  
affects the listener in the same room (and what if it were recorded  
with mics underneath - then which polarity should it have "on tape?"  
Or snare, tympani, literally every percussion instrument? - how much  
sound comes from the bottom?

Just thoughts on the topic. Makes me smile and think of the French  
horn. Would its attack be positive or negative, since it faces away  
from the audience?

And contrary to everything Mr Johnson says, every engineer I  
personally know (except two I shall not name) has been well taught  
the issues and best practices for polarity in recording. Myself, I  
discovered the effects when about ten when putting a finger lightly  
on a woofer cones while listening intensely to a bass. My  
professional education reinforced what was personally observed.

I am one of those persons whose eyes tear up when presented with out  
of phase stereo speakers. I have been astounded to walk in a room and  
hear the effect of out of polarity speakers being used in  
"professional" situations, even home systems. Maybe some people  
cannot hear it. Seems like being colorblind to me.

<L>
On Oct 19, 2008, at 12:08 PM, Richard L. Hess wrote:

Here is a start of what the useful list might look like with some of  
my guesses

Piano - compression attack (i.e. positive-going peak)
Saxophone - compression attack
Snare - compression attack
Tympani - rarefaction attack

Are these correct in your experience and what others would you care  
to share?