Early reflections

[Ethan Winer]

jlohl,

> I tried to do such a software to simulate early (not only...) reflections. <

That is very cool! And I really appreciate that you set it up as a simple executable. If it had required "installation" I would not have tried it.

> I'd be happy to hear your comments. Especially because I'm not yet completely satisfied with the audible results ! <

The affect of adding early reflections sounds exactly as I would expect. What is most audible (all that is audible) are the comb filtering peaks and nulls. In this case multiple sets of them because the program offers different reflection paths for the various room boundaries.

--Ethan

 

[Savant]

I tried to do such a software to simulate early (not only...) reflections. You can download it at http://www.ohl.to/audio-tools-and-thoughts/audio-softwares-and-vst-plugins/room-sound/
It's free. And I'd be happy to hear your comments. Especially because I'm not yet completely satisfied with the audible results !

I finally got around to giving your software a try. I like what you're trying to accomplish, but I do have some comments. Most of my concerns might be answered by future upgrades to the program. But I'll list them out here all the same:

• The toggles for room surface types do not appear to affect the "with room" sound as much as they should. In fact, they all sound largely the same, whether they're all concrete surfaces, or all carpet/fabric/heavy fabric surfaces. There should be marked difference, even if you're only considering a single reflection and the associated comb-filtering.

• Same with the loudspeaker directivity - should make more of a difference that it appears to, audibly.

• Perhaps you could include pull-down menus for the surface types instead? And provide a larger database of surfaces. You can access many materials online, like at this site.

In sum, stellar effort, IMO. I will enjoy playing with future upgrades!!!

 

[jlohl]

thanks a lot for your feedback, Savant,
so for the next release, I won't forget your comments.
About the audible effects, I wonder if the brain makes a difference between the direct sound and the very first reflections.
Because both are not coming from the same position so they do not strictly merge together : the well known "small head movements" play a role in sound localization but also in differentiating direct sound and reflection.
But those movements will be hard to simulate

 

[bpape]

Could it be because there's 'too much room' during the recording AND during the playback due to early reflections so 'it doesn't translate well into other rooms' as the quoted engineer suggested?

Seriously though, did you listen to it in a treated room Jeff?

 

[Savant]

Seriously though, did you listen to it in a treated room Jeff?

Nope. I listened on a rather nice pair of headphones, though!

 

[jlohl]

Could it be because there's 'too much room' during the recording AND during the playback due to early reflections

you can also listen to the well-known Denon anechoic recordings so you don't add "too much room" at all.

 

[bpape]

Fair enough Jeff. That eliminates that possibility.

Bryan

 

[NickFournier]

Hello everyone. Great thread. I've honestly never heard anyone argue in favor of first reflections. Based on personal experience and from the bit of research I've done on psychacoustics, first reflections only smear the image leaving it less defined and omnious. I'd love to download this program but I can't find a download link on the website. Where exactly is it?

Nick Fournier

 

[jlohl]

I'd love to download this program but I can't find a download link on the website.

It's on 5th line of the page, it's now easier to be found

 

[cajunbaseball]

Thanks Ethan

Kudos to Ethan for all of the help he has given to many of us without any compensation. Ethan loves the ETF now R+D software and I downloaded it on his recommendation and found it difficult to use. Ethan took time with me, read my test files for me and gave me an education in the program that it's author could not give.

I have consulted with Ethan many times over the past few years and he always answers my questions promptly and in detail. Yes, I have purchased some of his products and I've done so for two reasons: they are superbly built and work great. But equally as important, when a guy takes as much time as Ethan does helping us all out, spend a $$$ or two with the man!!!!

Thanks again Ethan. My room sounds great!!

 

[cajunbaseball]

Thank you Ethan

Kudos to Ethan for all of the help he has given to many of us without any compensation. Ethan loves the ETF now R+D software and I downloaded it on his recommendation and found it difficult to use. Ethan took time with me, read my test files for me and gave me an education in the program that it's author could not give.

I have consulted with Ethan many times over the past few years and he always answers my questions promptly and in detail. Yes, I have purchased some of his products and I've done so for two reasons: they are superbly built and work great. But equally as important, when a guy takes as much time as Ethan does helping us all out, spend a $$$ or two with the man!!!!

Thanks again Ethan. My room sounds great!

 

[HiFi Jake]

I have consulted with Ethan many times over the past few years and he always answers my questions promptly and in detail. Yes, I have purchased some of his products and I've done so for two reasons: they are superbly built and work great. But equally as important, when a guy takes as much time as Ethan does helping us all out, spend a $$$ or two with the man!!!!

Thanks again Ethan. My room sounds great!

I'll second that! I originally started with some GIK traps, because they seemed like they'd be just as good, and were cheaper. They were effective, but I didn't think they looked very nice. They really kind of looked home made. The wife didn't like the looks of them much either.

I have to tell you that it is night and day difference between the GIK and the RealTraps. The construction is SO MUCH BETTER, and they really have a much nicer, more professional look to them. These things look like they'll last for years!

I also get the sense that Ethan has MUCH more knowledge and experience than the guys at GIK, because he was really able to help me understand what my room needed. Cleared up a lot of confusion for me.

I'll definitely be back for a few more, after I save up a few more bux! Great stuff!

 

[jlohl]

hi all,

an info about the soft "room sound" that I presented in this topic some month ago and some of you tried : I improved it and added the possibility to choose/store your own absorption coefficients. The web page is http://www.ohl.to/about-audio/audio-softwares/room-sound/
So you can place your speakers virtually and hear the result.
Let me know about your results or any needed improvement.

Best regards
Jean-Luc