Dear English-speaking readers, this page is an automatic translation of an article originally written in French. I apologise for any strange sentences and funny mistakes that may have resulted. If you read French, click on the French flag below to access the original, correct text:
Français
I have just discovered something unheard of: holophonic sound. An incredible sound of realism, which transports you on a beach or under the storm...
You can listen to it with headphones, it's the perfect auditory illusion. But a demonstration is better than a long geek speech... Follow the steps below instead.
1. Connect a headset to your computer and place the headphones on your little ears.
2. Click on one of the players below.
3. Close your eyes and let the sound transport you.
The sea:
[audio: https: //petitesbullesdailleurs.fr/petitesbullesdailleurs/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lamer.mp3 | titles = The sea | artists = The sound of waves in holophonic sound ...]
Storm:
[audio:https://petitesbullesdailleurs.fr/petitesbullesdailleurs/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/thunder.mp3|titles=The storm|artists=The rain and thunder in holophonic sound...]
Female voice:
[audio:https://petitesbullesdailleurs.fr/petitesbullesdailleurs/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/womansvoice.mp3|titles=Feminine voice|artists=Yes, it speaks to your ear...]
Virtual hairdresser:
[audio:https://petitesbullesdailleurs.fr/petitesbullesdailleurs/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/virtualhaircut.mp3|titles=Virtual hairdresser|artists=A haircut as if you were there coupled with an explanation of holophony]
I borrow these audio extracts and explanations on the holophonic sound to this post dating from 2008, published on DéblogToi → Holophonic sound. You will find many other sounds to listen to by clicking on this link.
Holophony is a sound recording and reproduction technique that mimics the way our human ears and brain work. Two microphones are placed on each side of a mannequin head, right at the level of the ears.
They record the sound in relief, as we do naturally with our two ears. The distance between the ears and the speed of propagation of the sound create a tiny shift: interpreted by our brain, this is what allows us to distinguish if a sound comes from the right or from the left, if it comes closer or further away...
The holophony recreates this gap, our brain does the rest and we really have the impression to be in the heart of the scene by listening to the sounds thus recorded.
Listen again to the little educational sketch of the virtual hairdresser. It's really the most striking!
Personally, I love being surrounded by the sound of the waves, as if I were on a rock facing the ocean, while sitting on my sofa. If that's not an invitation to travel, that is...
😉
PS. Many thanks to Yves Harmide, who made me discover this link.
