Ambisonic recordings

[Marvel]

I've only heard of this on the periphery of audio recording, but it's been around since the'70s. Was doing some lightweight straightening while the body heals... shuffling CDs... came across ones that showed up from somewhere. Not even in a case/sleeve. It's the second Cowboy Junkies CD, The Trinity Sessions.It was recorded with an Ambisonic mic (single) and the soundfield is spooky good. Since I'm only using my Heresy IIs at the moment (they are great speakers... thanks Klipsch!) I could hear instruments out past the left and right physical speakers.

 

There are lots of options, plenty of software available. Some classical recordings have been made. It looks like the technology has caught up with the research.

 

Dolby uses a similar, although not the same tech for atmos placement of sounds in specific locations.

 

I'm looking for some feedback on what other here know or have heard.

 

Bruce

[winglet]

Carver dabbled in something similar at the hardware level in the 70’s and 80’s.

Called ‘sonic holography’ on some or their preamps.  I have a c-19 that I’ve been meaning to swap in and fool around with it.  

[Racer X]

Per Cowboy Junkies Trinity Sessions:  Travis had an interesting relation of this last year:  

 

 

 

Also, the wikipedia entry has a lot of detail:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trinity_Session

 

 

 

[MeloManiac]

16 hours ago, Marvel said:

I've only heard of this on the periphery of audio recording, but it's been around since the'70s. Was doing some lightweight straightening while the body heals... shuffling CDs... came across ones that showed up from somewhere. Not even in a case/sleeve. It's the second Cowboy Junkies CD, The Trinity Sessions.It was recorded with an Ambisonic mic (single) and the soundfield is spooky good. Since I'm only using my Heresy IIs at the moment (they are great speakers... thanks Klipsch!) I could hear instruments out past the left and right physical speakers.

 

There are lots of options, plenty of software available. Some classical recordings have been made. It looks like the technology has caught up with the research.

 

Dolby uses a similar, although not the same tech for atmos placement of sounds in specific locations.

 

I'm looking for some feedback on what other here know or have heard.

 

Bruce

 I have that cd also. Going to check it out this evening. 

There a very nice Lou Reed cover on it: Sweet Jane. Back then, it was a hit single in Belgium. 

 

[Marvel]

Here's a Rode ambisonic microphone:

 

 

NTSF1-large.jpg.auto.webp

 

A ten conductor cable splits into four XLRs. There's different formats, but you can, from what I understand, extract stereo, 5.1, 7.1.2... etc. From an audio only perspective, that might be an easier format to work with than Dolby atmos for immersive audio.

[Travis In Austin]

Bruce will like this:

 

Trinity Sessions was with a Calrec Soundfield brand microphone for the instruments, and a Klipsch Pro Heresy for Margo's vocals who was 30' away, somewhat isolated with headphones for monitors. Recorded on a 2 - track Sony Betamax with an outboard digital processor (modified Nak). 

 

 

 

[Invidiosulus]

On 9/7/2022 at 8:55 PM, Marvel said:

I've only heard of this on the periphery of audio recording, but it's been around since the'70s. Was doing some lightweight straightening while the body heals... shuffling CDs... came across ones that showed up from somewhere. Not even in a case/sleeve. It's the second Cowboy Junkies CD, The Trinity Sessions.

So that’s where that CD went.😂

[gigantic]

I studied with Lowell Cross at the University of Iowa in the 90’s. He did a number of classical recordings with ambisonic mics. The results were remarkable. 

[Marvel]

My DAW can utilize an ambisonic plugin,  so I would be able to mix down tracks. I'm planning trying some things. Just too much to do...

[MMurg]

The British classical label Nimbus Records released Ambisonic recordings in the '80s.