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In the Forum: Playback Listening
In the Thread: The dynamic range of our playback

Post Subject: Simply micro vs macro dynamicsPosted by steverino on: 6/28/2014

We do distinguish between micro and macrodynamics because they rarely cohabit the same musical environment, except possibly for the performing musicians. If I am close enough to be continually aware of microdynamics I don't want to hear a sforzando or double forte. Conversely if I am far enough away to enjoy orchestral fortissimos the only microdynamics I can hear are the creakings of the seat or breathing of the person next to me. Only a very artificial recording can get both micro and macrodynamics to coexist in any rough balance via close and distant mic'ing, equalization/compression and volume adjustments on different tracks. Yes the sound floor will affect microdynamics the way headroom affects macrodynamics. But the soundfloor is also in the recording and the media as well as the electronics and speakers (not to mention the listening environment itself). By appropriate recording adjustments microdynamics are no big deal to capture as long as you don't have to contend with loud soundlevels elsewhere. However microdynamics are more musically disruptive than supportive. Composers do not assume that listeners will hear microdynamic changes unless they mark everything down to shades of pianissimo like Webern and assume physically proximate seating. Composers assume only that various levels of macrodynamic shifts will be audible and write accordingly.

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