Hi Elizabeth; nice thread. (1) It is absolutely essential for tonal balance to be correct and if it's not, no other listening test makes much sense. (2) I listen to vocals-- either male or female, on music that I am very familiar with. They must sound natural to me, and this is a type of "critical listening". (3) I listen for the character of Pace, Rhythm, and Timing (PRT) in the music. In order to get a good sense of this I have to go into relaxed listening mode. PRT must be natural/exciting and make me want to continue listening to the music. (4) I want to know whether or not the change is fatiguing, and this takes some time, hours at least. Of course all this assumes everything is properly broken in. Cheers. Craig.
For Newbies: how to listen:swaps/changes
Listening to a system component change, or going out to listen to new equipment, can be confusing to someone who hasn't mastered the art. I would like to start a topic that might get others to note just what THEY listen for/ notice when modding/swapping stuff. So newer students of the art of swapping/modding (and auditioning) can learn.
I usually will listen to whatever CD has my attention lately and a few that I especially like. I WILL repeat the same parts (I don't get bored, I actually find more every time I listen) i listen, noting if any "new" sound is 'jumping out at me (a triangle I never notice as such before, or that it suddenly sparkles so dramatically) or if some sound is suddenly totaly recognizable (a tapping on a glass with a spoon!! in a P J Harvey tune). etc..
Also switching BACK and seeing if it really is different... and quitting if your "hearing" gets tired.
Any others with hints???
(I'm NOT listing all my ideas now so we all don't get bored reading just my hints!!!)
I usually will listen to whatever CD has my attention lately and a few that I especially like. I WILL repeat the same parts (I don't get bored, I actually find more every time I listen) i listen, noting if any "new" sound is 'jumping out at me (a triangle I never notice as such before, or that it suddenly sparkles so dramatically) or if some sound is suddenly totaly recognizable (a tapping on a glass with a spoon!! in a P J Harvey tune). etc..
Also switching BACK and seeing if it really is different... and quitting if your "hearing" gets tired.
Any others with hints???
(I'm NOT listing all my ideas now so we all don't get bored reading just my hints!!!)