On Location Recording Techniques

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Surround-Sound Techniques, DVD, and Super Audio CD

So far we examined two-channel recording techniques: stereo, binaural, and transaural. Stereo puts the instruments and hall reverb in front of the listener, in the area between the two loudspeakers. In contrast, binaural, transaural, and surround sound place audio images all around the listener. The musical ensemble usually is up front and the hall ambience is all around.

Stereo, binaural, and transaural use two channels feeding two loudspeakers. Surround sound uses multiple channels feeding multiple speakers.

A disadvantage of binaural is that you must wear headphones. A disadvantage of stereo and transaural is that you must sit in a tiny “sweet spot” to hear correct localization. In contrast, ...