Updated: 2-19-97
The information furnished below, courtesy of: HOLOPHONICS
For those of you that doubt the validity of audio presentations in 4D, read
and review the contents of this page. If you still have doubts, then go
to the above
HOLOPHONICS Home Page link and check it out for yourself!
The above link may be busy. The additional time loading the graphics and
getting thru to it (due to heavy net traffic) is sometimes a lengthy and
consuming effort. Thus, I present all of the relevant text from the HOLOPHONICS
Web page below, for your review.
I've designed, applied, remastered and released many; (FreeWare) VAMPS,
NTV and MegaMOD music files, as; self-booting, auto-load, self-playing JukeBox
disks and as data disks with the NTGS Player application programs, presenting
similar virtual '4D' audio processing and rendering technology for IIGS
music users to have, listen to and enjoy the vivid soundscapes and holographic
audio event perceptions, with the addition of binaural audio and panning,
in both the vertical and horizontal 360 degree sound plains.
Having discussed on several occasions, many virtually identical sound processing
techniques of mine and of the HOLOPHONICS with Carl Gorman, (the HOLOPHONICS
agent and web site rep.) voice Tel. (818) 779-1245 and with Hugo Zuccarelli
(the inventor and international patent holder) of the HOLOPHONICS (4D) recording
process, it's become evident that many individuals simply fail to understand
what such HOLOPHONICS sound processing is all about! It should be made clear,
that HOLOPHONICS is purely a recording process, independent of any computer
platform, model or restrains, that might be required for any other soundscape
or dimensional enhancement process.
Mr. Zuccarelli obtained international patents in 1987, has perfected, presented
and applied this unique HOLOPHONICS (4D) sound recording process, with such
notable recording artists and groups as; Pink Floyd - Roger Waters and most
recently with Peter Gabriel's Virtual (HOLOPHONICS - 4D) music presentations
at the 'Real World Park', in Southern California.
A brief explanation (per our discussions on the sound processing and recording)
follows, which hopefully might make the process a bit more logical and clear,
with understanding it. Sound can be considered as both an energy and a wave.
Sound is simply another form of energy, one we are used to thinking of as
a wave. But according to quantum theory it can be viewed as both wave and
particle, just as light can - and at the scale of atoms it is the particle
representation that works best. Sound quanta are called phonons, and atoms
absorb and release them.
In a solid or liquid, the absorption of a phonon makes an atom vibrate in
its bonds with neighboring atoms; releasing the phonon allows the atom to
relax. The arrangement of those bonds determines the frequency of phonons
that an atom can absorb. This process has recently been scientifically validated
using a 'Saser' built by Jean-Yves Prieur and his colleagues at the University
of Paris-South in Orsay and the Pierre and Marie Curie University, by collecting,
manipulating and amplifying photons the way a laser does with photons. They
used a procedure to cause piezoelectric crystals to emit a sound vibration.
Piezoelectric crystals, as well as solids and liquids exist in biological
structures,
especially plentiful within the human ear's structure. Recent findings in
a new research field known as: Otoacoustics have shown that the ear is a
sonic transducer and transceiver. The human ear can both; transmit and receive
sound
in the ranges, from sub-sonic thru ultra-sonic (2.0 hz thru 51 Khz). The
dominant peak audio frequency has been calibrated to be around 2500 hz or
2.5 Khz. While most individuals can't perceive the sub-sonic or ultra-sonic
sounds, the incoming sounds react with the internal transmission of sounds
(in this broad-band of frequencies). These transceived sonic reactions are
then transduced to the brain, for processing by the audio cortex.
When properly designed incoming sounds are presented to the human ear, (as
with the recording processes of HOLOPHONICS), even a mono sound source can
present a soundscape, with a multitude of sound localization points, (even
if they might be termed as sonic illusions), as a result of the reactions
and sonic heterodyning, thus generated and occurring within the human ear
structures. Cellular microtubules, are the most likely biological structures,
being carriers, possible transducers of audio signals and processing event
helpers, even within the brain.
This page contains all the above HOLOPHONICS URL link has to offer (as text),
without the graphics or HOLOPHONICS sound samples. Compiled, edited and
converted to html by Charles Turley - on 10/1/95, HOLOPHONICS is the first
presentation of audio processing - which has been given the term, 'Audio
4D' and presented on the WEB.
About HOLOPHONICS
The latest in recording technology has now produced what can be described
only as the most incredible listening sensation ever experienced, HOLOPHONICS.
This is "Real Sound" exactly as it occurs in the original recording
environment, with precise up and down, front and back, side to side and
near to far special reference with NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NECESSARY!
HOLOPHONICS, the aural equivalent of holography, records and plays back
sound so listeners perceive it as a three-dimensional entity. Technology
mimics the human hearing process and makes listeners feel as if the recorded
action is happening to them in actuality. This is because the new sound
technique broadcasts directly to the brain rather than through normal acoustical
channels. Please be aware that this is NOT surround sound, Q-sound, binaural
stereo or anything related, rather, this technology is infinitely more realistic!
More Information About HOLOPHONICS
HOLOPHONIC recordings have an uncanny capacity to reproduce acoustic reality
with all its spatial characteristics to such an extent that, without constant
visual control, it is virtually impossible to distinguish the perception
of recorded phenomena from actual events in the three-dimensional world.
In addition, listening to holophonic recordings of events that stimulate
other senses tends to induce synethesia---the corresponding perceptions
in the other sensory areas.
Thus, the sound of scissors opening and closing near one's scalp will convey a realistic sense of one's hair being cut; the hum of an electric hair dryer can produce sensations of the stream of hot air blowing through the hair; listening to a person striking a match might be accompanied by a distinct smell of burning sulfur and the voice of a woman whispering into one's ear will make one feel her breath. Holophonic sound has clearly profound theoretical and practical implication for many fields and areas of human life--from revolutionizing the understanding of physiology and pathology of hearing to undreamed of applications in psychiatry, psychology and psychotherapy, mass media, entertainment, art, religion, philosophy, and many other realms.
You will not believe what you are listening to. This is true 3-D, but for your ears. It is the latest in Virtual Sound. First time listeners will find themselves looking behind themselves searching for noises that are not there! Check out the Q & A section for answers to the most frequently asked questions about HOLOPHONICS.
HOLOPHONICS - Q & A
Q. HOW DOES HOLOPHONICS DIFFER FROM OTHER SO CALLED 3-D SOUND TECHNOLOGIES?
A. The Best analogy, is the case of stereo pictures (View Master tm type) that are taken by two discreet camera lenses separating the distance between the eyes, and a laser hologram. The stereo picture utilizes the parallax effect, or the ability of the human brain to integrate two different pictures and fuse them together to interpret the tridimensional topology of the subject.
The hologram, however utilizes the ability of the human eye to detect the actual tridimensional shape of the light hitting the retina (front of wave). Therefore by reconstructing the ORIGINAL FRONT OF WAVE coming from the subject, the eye recognizes its tridimensional topology as it will do by watching the subject itself. In the same way, post production techniques like Q sound, SRS, Bendini, Roland etc. utilize stereo or binaural manipulation of micro phonic recordings, in the final mix down.
HOLOPHONICS is a recording technology that replaces the microphones at the beginning of the stereo chain, in the same way that laser beams and mirrors replace the objective of the traditional camera in holography. The final effect of HOLOPHONICS is amazing "True To Life" and incredible 4D recordings (3 dimensions for location and one dimension for time), compared only with Sensorial Reality tm. In opposition to Virtual Reality, nobody has yet come close to explaining the exact effect that HOLOPHONICS has on the first time listener.
Our best approach is this, "Imagine that you are at you favorite concert or event and you relax and close your eyes for a while, now imagine that the next time you open your eyes you find yourself at home, and everything that you have just experienced was a HOLOPHONICS tm recording, if you can imagine that, then you know what HOLOPHONICS is all about."
Q. HOW DOES HOLOPHONICS DIFFER FROM OTHER RECORDING TECHNIQUES?
A. The objective of any other recording technique is to reproduce in the listening environment (through headphones or loudspeakers) the same mechanical sound waves encountered by the microphone(s) in the recording session. The HOLOPHONIC recording technology does not use traditional microphones. Instead, a proprietary sound processing technique is used which captures the full spectrum of essential information traveling from the ear to the brain in the recording environment. During playback this information will reach the auditory cortex of the listener's brain and recreate the same sensation as if listening to the original event. the process provides "natural" listening rather than hearing mechanically reproduced sounds.
Q. IS SPECIAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR LISTENING OR PLAYBACK?
A. HOLOPHONICS can be heard perfectly on nearly any inexpensive stereo player of radio. For the first time, more complicated and expensive systems are not required for better sound (because the sound is recreated in the listeners brain). However it is important to use proper speakers. Most speaker on the market today are actually "three way", and include separate woofer, mid-range, and tweeter speakers to handle the full range of sound frequencies. Separation of sound in this way within a single speaker cabinet results in different harmonics reaching the ear at different times, distorting the information for the listener.
Also, certain systems which manipulate sound before it reaches the speaker can destroy special information contained in a HOLOPHONIC recording or broadcast. Virtually any type of headphone will provide a perfect HOLOPHONIC effect. The ideal speaker for HOLOPHONIC listening is one where each speaker driver is placed in the same point, such as single cone designs, or the phase coherent, time compensated coaxial speakers available from numerous manufacturers. Only two speakers should be used and they should be placed either directly on each side of the room or brought forward on each side to a position 45 degrees from center. Properly designed and positioned speaker will result in a solid image of sound or "audio hologram" in the room. Use only two speakers whenever listening to HOLOPHONICS, regardless of the listening environment.
The quality of tuner, amplifier, and player will all have an effect on the final listening experience. Digital systems and noise reduction technologies contribute to the accurate recreation of original spatial information for the listener, but even a $12 cassette player and headphone set will produce excellent HOLOPHONIC sounds.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HOLOPHONICS ARE PLAYED OVER LESS THAN IDEAL EQUIPMENT?
A. The worst that can happen is loss of full spatial effect. HOLOPHONICS will always provide a very realistic sound with decreased cancellation and improved clarity and quality of the recording or broadcast. Vertical dimension should survive in almost any speaker system. Listening over mono (single speaker) systems such as those on most TV's will result in enhanced clarity and a sense of depth and dimension, with sound traveling off the screen and into the room. It will have a broader dynamic range and be fore full, rich and realistic than micro phonic broadcasts. This is truly incredible! The potential for this new technology is remarkable and it will become clear to you, after listening to HOLOPHONICS, that this technology will be the biggest breakthrough in sound since stereo and in the not too far off future will become standard equipment for use in VR products, software, film, music and any other communications medium.
HOLOPHONICS (4D) - CD SELECTIONS
Available - NOW
1. CD title - Aldebaran (A richly dimensional and diverse sampling of Holophonic recordings. Total time - 52:45 - Total tracks - 26)
Available - SOON
2. CD title - Aldebaran II (Contains; 10 minutes of sound effects, launching of Space Shuttle, Helicopter ride, motorcycle racing, balloons popping and river flowing along with 30 minutes of music; Four Seasons, God Save the Queen, Huancara, Gato Violin, Carpaya.)
3. CD title - Alphabet Sound Games (This is a 4D-Audio adventure for learning the alphabet -through fairy tales and sounds.)
4. CD title - Cyberbotr 1 (This musical story is all about "Laz I" - a robot, who for the first time goes out into the world and encounters human experiences, but chooses to have fun.)
5. CD title - Human Comedy (This 4D-Audio CD presentation is a 'Broadway Musical' - about a delivery boy singing telegrams in a small town during World War II.)
6. CD title - Huancara (Argentinean Folkloric ensemble.)
7. CD title - Encuentro (Vocal Group, tango ballads performed with vocal virtuosity.)
8. CD title - Maria Garay (A rich and lively Argentinean tango.)
For more information on these HOLOPHONICS (4D) CD titles, their price and availability -
please email Carl Gorman. The HOLOPHONICS (4D) recording process - licensing technology is also available.
If you have doubts, (and it's only logical that you might - until you actually listen to this amazing new recording technology process), I urge you to go to the following web page HOLOPHONICS and (Experience) - download and listen to the astounding and amazing HOLOPHONICS (4D) audio sample, from the CD title - Aldebaran. Then, judge for yourself. Asking, as you listen with astonishment - is this REAL? Am I dreaming? Is such a thing is possible? For more information concerning HOLOPHONICS, you can contact: Carl Gorman - Voice: (818) 779-1245.
I've listened to the CD title - Aldebaran, a sampling of Holophonic recordings, in its entire content and it presents the most astounding (4D soundscapes) dimensional and localization - I've ever experienced. The HOLOPHONICS 4D audio presentation effects, far exceeds any other VR soundscape audio system available today. I've listened to them all and HOLOPHONICS puts them all in the shadows. Listening to the HOLOPHONICS 4D 'Aldebaran' CD, with my headphones and standard speakers, I've never turned my head to look for the sounds, as much as I did with this CD. I even had illusions of evoked smells, with several of the tracks. It's
just to astounding to attempt a description with words - you've simply got to listen to it, to realize
how virtually real and highly dimensional the effects and soundscapes are.
A good quality set of electrostatic (over-the-ear) headphones will present the best listening system, for perception of all the sound effects, soundscapes and localization events, that can be presented; with the unique HOLOPHONICS (4D) audio processing and recording system, as well as with my own audio 3D and 4D VAMPS, NTV and MegaMOD music module designs. I know it's very possible to do. Why? Because I've done it myself. And, you can too. Even on your 8-bit sound system, with the Apple IIGS.
I hope you've found this information helpful and of interest!
Sincerely,
Charles T. (Dr. Tom) Turley
Virtual Audio - Soundscape Designer
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