Klarinet Archive - Posting 000125.txt from 2002/06

From: Paul Harris <pwharris@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Benade vs. Materials..... again
Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 15:39:02 -0400

----- Original Message -----
From: "William Wright" <w7wright@-----.net>
Subject: [kl] Benade vs. Materials..... again

> It has been stated here on Klarinet many times that "the experiment has
> been done, and materials do not make a difference." But I have never
> seen a citation for a specific experiment or explanation of the methods
> used.
>

If as stated "the experiment has been done, and materials do not make a
difference.", then the writer has not performed the testing in an adequate
manor.(meaning the results were limited by the testing equipment and/or
method of testing)

The audio industry has over the year performed many tests of this nature
where it has been show that materials definitely do make a difference to
sound and the quality of that sound. The science of reproduction is on
going and has developed new testing procedures beyond any referenced in the
aforementioned article that refute the findings you report.

It is in the harmonic overtone structure that difference shows up and is in
many cases subaural in nature. This does not mean they are imperceptible,
just that they are not in spectrum normally thought of as being able to be
heard. They do affect the audible portion of the sound spectrum by causing
compression of some of the audible harmonics. A very subtle state of
change. Remember, the sound made by an instrument is a composite of not only
the frequency of the pitch, but also every overtone produced by that
instrument whether audible or not. The overtones are produced by every
vibrating element of the instrument, and interact with each of the other
vibrating elements with overtone series forming the total sound.

It is possible that the human ear is the ideal testing instrument, as the
results of test playing instruments will show up sound differences only the
most sophisticated equipment will detect.

Paul

---------------------------------------------------------------------