Subjective evaluations of professional microphones

Abstract

Attempts to evaluate microphone performance by listening to individual models via a reproduction chain often reveal subtle, and not-so-subtle, ‘‘sonic signatures’’ which in turn reveal preferences and dislikes among trained listeners. However, there are many factors contributing to the process of evaluation, even if only one microphone type, and only one listener, are involved: (i) monaural versus stereophonic versus ambisonic reproduction; (ii) headphone versus loudspeaker auditioning (again, mono or stereo?); (iii) choice of music, if indeed listening is limited to music; (iv) ‘‘direct feed’’ versus analog versus digital reproduction; (v) personal and environmental factors; (vi) the enhancing or detrimental aspects of microphone ‘‘coloration.’’ The foregoing partial list has prompted this listener to treat AB and ABX comparisons of microphones, by individuals or groups, with a cetain level of suspicion—in spite of many tests he has conducted involving others. Therefore this presentation will indeed offer subjective views: those of one person with a 35-year history of recording and listening, and with an even longer history of formulating a personal musical taste.