Klarinet Archive - Posting 000753.txt from 2004/07

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Measuring sound character
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2004 18:54:11 -0400

At 02:15 PM 7/19/2004 -0700, Tim Roberts wrote:
Yes, you could measure the overtones, but then what? The major problem
with this very reasonable course of action is that there is no general
agreement on which overtone shapes constitute a "good" tone, or indeed what
constitutes "bright", "dark", or "chocolate" tone.

>Could you tell whether two spectra were different? Yes. Could you tell
>which one was better? No.
>
>I suspect some people are tiring of it, but I find this materials debate
>absolutely enthralling, no matter how many times it comes up. The fact
>that we have such an incredibly vast range of experiences and educations
>here, and yet are unable to come to anything even close to a consensus,
>just fascinates me.

The FIRST thing we need to do is establish whether or not a measurable
difference even EXISTS. The oscilloscope could help us establish that. It
is cold and impersonal, and does not give a hoot about "dark" and
"bright." Once that is done we can move into the more esoteric and
subjective matters of why one spectrum might be preferred over another. If
there is no consistent difference that registers on an
oscilloscope/spectrum analysis, then the whole question is moot. But
personal experience will not answer the question. Objective, quantifiable,
repeatable, scientific study is required to either prove or disprove
centuries of conventional wisdom. And even then some people will ignore
the facts and go blissfully on in their convictions.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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