Binaural Recording Technology – Virtual Reality In Music

Recording technology has evolved dramatically over the past 100 years, from poor-quality magnetic disc recorders to expensive recording systems that record Hi-res sound. But perhaps the breakthrough technology, bringing the sound background in a new direction, is Binaural recording technology.

What is Binaural Recording?

Most instruments are recorded with a single microphone, so the difference between the two channels (2 ears) is not too much. To create a “3D” effect, record labels will add a Crossfeed effect to make the music more realistic, simulating how the sound reaches the headphones. The human hearing system is extremely intelligent, receiving sound in both ears, then finding the difference between the two to determine where the sound is coming from, similar to the operating mechanism such as eye movements. The crossfeed effect integrates a bit of the left channel’s sound into the right channel and vice versa, making the sound more “floating.”

However, this is a simulation technique, no different from using Photoshop for sound. That’s why Binaural recording technology was born. With Binaural Recording, the recorder will place two separate microphones in the ears of a mannequin head. With such a setup, the recorder will simulate the space at the receiver to the listener. Listening to these songs will feel like standing in the middle of the music, with two very different left and right channels creating a real 3D space.

How to record Binaural sound?

The explanation is simple: we will use one microphone per channel instead of a single microphone to record music for both left and right ears. The theory is simple, but we have to put these two microphones in a standard way for the best effect in practice. These two microphones are placed in a hard plastic human head model, separated by 18cm – the average distance of two adult ears. Even the ear lobes are also meticulously crafted with soft plastic to receive sounds similar to the human ear structure.

With humans or any mammal, the ear is the part that navigates, adjusts the frequency, so everything must be done as accurately as possible. The microphones are also the best, with a wide range of responses and the highest possible resolution.

With such a special and extremely sophisticated design, these recorders have a very high price, and not everyone can own to be able to record. The set of “recorders” from Neumann with the code name KU 81 costs up to $8000! Cheaper products with minimalist designs like 3Dio’s are also not available for less than $450.

Applications of binaural recording technology

Music

Binaural is not a new technology; it has been present in its primitive form since 1881. Théâtrophone at the Opera Garner has been recorded in this form. Forty years later, the Connecticut radio channel brought Binaural to its audience by recording each channel left and right and broadcasting it at different frequencies. To enjoy the 3D space from the radio studio, listeners will have to have two radios and receive different frequencies. These are the first steps, but not successful, of Binaural recording technology.

Over time, technology has evolved, and we can now enjoy it at home with a pair of headphones. Chesky Records (Chesky.com) is one of the labels that put this technology into recording and received a warm response from the music world. The company has recorded hundreds of albums with many different genres, from Jazz, Folk to simple drum and percussion songs.

Two light music songs by singer Amber Rubarth – a talented American female singer, taken from the album Sessions from the 17th Ward. When we pay attention, we can see that each instrument has a certain position on both ears. These instruments will be closer to the top of the head in normal music and do not create an open space like in a Binaural recording.

The album “Explorations in space and time” is one of the prime examples of percussion recording with Binaural techniques with a spacious soundstage, precise sound placement.

ASMR

One of the other applications of this recording technique is the ASMR phenomenon. ASMR – stands for Autonomous sensory meridian response – are videos that create a feeling of comfort and lightness by creating sounds with a Binaural recorder.

The future of Binaural Recording

With many advantages compared to the traditional recording, can Binaural recording technology completely replace it? The technique had a few major hurdles before it became widespread. One of the biggest obstacles is the cost. Binaural music sold on the market is more expensive than music recorded in the normal way because the equipment cost of the studio is also much higher. These tracks also cannot use speakers; they can only be used with headphones.

Finally, many listeners still feel that old-fashioned recordings feel more focused, while Binaural feels “cold and unnatural.” That is also each person’s opinion, and many people say that the new way of recording sounds much cleaner and more professional. Therefore, Binaural Recording will not completely replace traditional recording; it only opens a new way to enjoy music.