Sugarbrie brings up an interesting point about the preamp setting the level automatically. Only problem with this is his previous disclaimer. Due to different loading characteristics of the room, various speaker sensitivities, etc... the preamp would need some type of "acoustic feedback interpreter" to work properly. After all, having the preamp adjusted to preset point using speaker that were 88 db's would present a VERY different volume using speakers that were 93 db's. The "automatic" volume would need some way to measure the in-room volume and compensate accordingly.
This IS something that is quite intriguing though if you think about it and does have potential. A test tone recorded at the average level of the disc could be played, the system adjusted automatically to a preset in-room level that the engineer / artist thinks works best for that specific recording and the listener sits back and listens. Of course, this system would need to be manually defeatable for those times that you want it either louder or softer. The only problems that i see with the "auto set" system is that one might run into severe clipping with inefficient speakers / underpowered amps or could also go the opposite route of being too quiet in some passages. Material might not be heard / fully understood due to being too quiet due to some rooms possibly having a higher noise floor.
I think that this COULD produce better overall recordings, as both the artists and recording engineers might become more aware of the sonic importance of dynamic range. Sean
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This IS something that is quite intriguing though if you think about it and does have potential. A test tone recorded at the average level of the disc could be played, the system adjusted automatically to a preset in-room level that the engineer / artist thinks works best for that specific recording and the listener sits back and listens. Of course, this system would need to be manually defeatable for those times that you want it either louder or softer. The only problems that i see with the "auto set" system is that one might run into severe clipping with inefficient speakers / underpowered amps or could also go the opposite route of being too quiet in some passages. Material might not be heard / fully understood due to being too quiet due to some rooms possibly having a higher noise floor.
I think that this COULD produce better overall recordings, as both the artists and recording engineers might become more aware of the sonic importance of dynamic range. Sean
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