Videos of Acoustically-Coupled Audio Recordings

[Al M.]

Peter A: Matt, thank you for this opinion. It’s nice to see that someone other than Bonzo, me, and very few others share the same opinion.

Peter, I'm not understanding matthias' point that if you change one, and only one, thing in one's own system, video recordings can reveal the difference as headline news. Matthias' point, at least in this post, is limited to a very narrow scenario.

Even I agree with this use of videos. Please see my Post #181, above:

"2) I agree that if only one thing in a system changes, and if everything else is held constant, then a before video and an after video may reveal a difference in sound due to that change."

Indeed, as I have stated repeatedly over the years, and again above yesterday, this is my position as well.

Unfortunately, the video absolutists want to have nothing of the distinctions we make between different uses of video. If you are against one, you are against all.

 

[bonzo75]

Unfortunately, the video absolutists want to have nothing of the distinctions we make between different uses of video.

liar

 

[Rexp]

Phones are quite limited, best to add an external mic like this:

 

[Al M.]

liar

Whatever. Look back at the discussions on WBF regarding this topic over the years.

 

[morricab]

Phones are quite limited, best to add an external mic like this:

Just ordered one… will use it in Munich!

 

[Ron Resnick]

For people who like video recordings of their audio systems I think it makes a lot of sense to agree on an external microphone to plug into the iPhone and to mount the microphone to a microphone stand and place the microphone as close as possible to the natural position of the listener's ears as if the listener were sitting in the listening chair.

I think there would be a wholesale improvement in sound quality, usefulness and value of video comparisons by standardizing upon an external microphone and a recording protocol. Just like there was a wholesale improvement in my frequency response measurements when I switched from using the internal microphone on the iPhone to an external microphone placed carefully and repeatably at my ears.

 

[PeterA]

Indeed, as I have stated repeatedly over the years, and again above yesterday, this is my position as well.

Unfortunately, the video absolutists want to have nothing of the distinctions we make between different uses of video. If you are against one, you are against all.

Al, it’s nice to see that you’re modifying your views. There was a time when you argued repeatedly that all videos suck. There was also a time that you said you would not watch videos nor comment on them in these threads.

I understand that you now recognize their value under limited conditions. I simply recognize their value as a tool and form of documentation under more broad conditions as well.

 

[PeterA]

For people who like video recordings of their audio systems I think it makes a lot of sense to agree on an external microphone to plug into the iPhone and to mount the microphone to a microphone stand and place the microphone as close as possible to the natural position of the listener's ears as if the listener were sitting in the listening chair.

I think there would be a wholesale improvement in sound quality, usefulness and value of video comparisons by standardizing upon an external microphone and a recording protocol. Just like there was a wholesale improvement in my frequency response measurements when I switched from using the internal microphone on the iPhone to an external microphone placed carefully and repeatably at my ears.

We’ve covered this ground many times. Look up some of Bonzo’s comments on the subject. There is a value to the convenience and ease of simply using a Phone to make the recordings and sharing them. That is a kind of standard. People are free to make higher quality videos with better equipment and share those also. The problem is, if the various videos are than used to make comparisons of systems, which is way beyond the very narrow use that has utility for you, then people are comparing apples to oranges.

You seem to be suggesting that videos should only be used when making very narrow direct comparisons of one component change within the system. These are easily heard with an iPhone. On the other hand, you seem to be suggesting that we should compare entire systems in different rooms using the same superior recording equipment.

Are you now saying that videos have a greater utility than simply demonstrating one simple change within a certain system and room context? Are you saying that people should all have the same superior recording equipment so they can share videos of their systems for viewers to compare entire systems where nothing is similar?

You are sharing videos of your new system, but you are doing it only because you think others enjoy it not because you think it sounds anything like the sound you hear in your room. You made and shared a survey video of the rooms at Axpona with your phone. I’m a little confused by your messaging.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Are you now saying that videos have a greater utility than simply demonstrating one simple change within a certain system and room context? Are you saying that people should all have the same superior recording equipment so they can share videos of their systems for viewers to compare entire systems where nothing is similar?

I didn't mean to imply or to suggest any more than I actually wrote.

I am saying I think there would be a wholesale improvement in sound quality, usefulness and value of video comparisons by standardizing upon an external microphone and a recording protocol.

To whatever use one chooses to put videos of audio recordings that use (except from the point of view of mere convenience) will be improved by using an external microphone and a recording protocol. That is all I am saying here.

 

[bonzo75]

I didn't mean to imply or to suggest any more than I actually wrote.

I am saying I think there would be a wholesale improvement in sound quality, usefulness and value of video comparisons by standardizing upon an external microphone and a recording protocol.

To whatever use one chooses to put videos of audio recordings that use (except from the point of view of mere convenience) will be improved by using an external microphone and a recording protocol. That is all I am saying here.

if people simply accompanied their notes of their own systems, visits, or shows, and especially did follow ups on previously captured videos with any changes to the system further captured by videos, like for example tang did, that is more than sufficient.

 

[Al M.]

Al, it’s nice to see that you’re modifying your views. There was a time when you argued repeatedly that all videos suck. There was also a time that you said you would not watch videos nor comment on them in these threads.

I understand that you now recognize their value under limited conditions. I simply recognize their value as a tool and form of documentation under more broad conditions as well.

Peter, I have consistently held the same position over the years. Go read in the archives. It's just that video absolutists like you have refused to see the distinction that I have consistently made, an issue over which Bonzo even a few hours ago called me a "liar".

I have consistently said that for relative assessment of differences within a system, using the exact same recording conditions (not always the case in comparisons posted, including loudness level match), video is of some *limited* value (it's still a crude instrument).

And yes, for absolute sound assessment of systems "videos suck". That has always been my position as well, and I stick by it. This holds a bit less for videos shot with professional sound equipment, but it still does. For phone videos it holds to a degree that makes any assertion to the contrary laughable. Just listen to the great comparisons of recording methods by Hopkins in #635 (thread page #32).

 

[andromedaaudio]

Lets ask CHAT GPT what it thinks of System videos and their value
Lets ask a neutral player , because this discussion aint going anywhere
This has been a trench stand off for many many years now

 

[andromedaaudio]

Lets just see it as entertainment .
Its not like ones life depends on system video quality .
For me there is one rule however .
If you wanna play / criticize , you got have skin in the game .
Meaning ...posting a vid of your own system before criticizing some one elses

 

[PeterA]

....
For me there is one rule however .
If you wanna play / criticize , you got have skin in the game .
Meaning ...posting a vid of your own system before criticizing some one elses

That will never happen. I demonstrated a simple power cord change (between two basic industrial cords) to my turntable power supply to two people via an iPhone video. They heard it, I heard it. We were all surprised. I could have simply told them on the phone or via text, but hearing it for themselves with music, is a much more powerful demonstration.

Videos confirm and supplement information. They also shatter opinions. Some want to do it, others do not. I get that. We can't change it.

 

[rando]

Phones are quite limited, best to add an external mic like this:

For the sake of conversation,

what if tradeoffs stand to become even larger by asking these cellular devices to power and process audio feeds collected by an external microphone.

Just ordered one… will use it in Munich!

At an audio show where battery level is already at a premium and SQ is subject to considerable background noise either phone or phone + external mic + app will be actively trying to filter.

 

[hopkins]

Lets just see it as entertainment .
Its not like ones life depends on system video quality .
For me there is one rule however .
If you wanna play / criticize , you got have skin in the game .
Meaning ...posting a vid of your own system before criticizing some one elses

Criticism can be constructive...

 

[andromedaaudio]

Criticism can be constructive...

Not criticism based on a YT vid , thats more entertainment to me .
Being so damn sure regarding system analysis based on a YT vid is a bit ridiculous if u ask me
If you have heard the system in person and then make an assessment is another story

 

[Al M.]

Being so damn sure regarding system analysis based on a YT vid is a bit ridiculous if u ask me
If you have heard the system in person and then make an assessment is another story

Agreed. Then why do you ask people to post videos to "show off" their systems?

 

[andromedaaudio]

Agreed. Then why do you ask people to post videos to "show off" their systems?

Look i m just killing time Working on a construction site here in Cote d ivoire .
Entertainment.

 

[bonzo75]

Agreed. Then why do you ask people to post videos to "show off" their systems?

actually, there are people here who show off their epiphanies by regularly changing the speaker position or turning the bass trap in and out saying wow, what a discovery I made today. Some of them have schiit gear like octave they like to site off. So we tell them if they want to show off with the same rinse and repeat for 10 years running please at least post some videos for us to understand