Keith G wrote:



I think Serge explained it very well, but I am more interested in a clear,
unsullied depiction of the music than the *ambience* - I'm at a loss as to
how 'traffic noise' can enhance a chamber music recording! My own view is
that ambience may well *add* to the music performance for some people but it
is not *part* of the music - I can add all the ambience I want, at this
end!!


Traffic noise in itself doesn't add to the music, but, to me, it adds to
the sense of a live performance rather than a studio recording. I've
found myself enjoying far more live recordings even with the inevitable
audience cough than "perfect" studio sessions. That's just a personal
thing though, I can quite accept that others would prefer the studio.

However, even on studio recordings and even on jazz/rock music the
extended LF response improves things like kick drums, double basses and
on organ music recorded in a natural acoustic, the extended LF makes a
huge difference to the feeling of a real venue.

I would love to try one of the ultra-low sub-sub woofers that work on
the variable vane principle. They should go down to 0 Hz
theoretically...you could dry your socks in front of one.......
but I doubt there's much actually recorded below 20Hz as current studio
mics don't go down below that.

S.