Behringer EX2200 Technical Background, The DUALFEX PRO’s Main Features, Psycho-AcousticBackground

DUALFEX PRO EX2200

2.2.7 Sound Enhancement in Hi-fi and Video

Of course, the BEHRINGER DUALFEX PRO can also find applications in the fields of hifi and video. The unit is simply placed between the signal source (cassette recorder, tuner, VCR etc.) and the power amplifier. We recommend using the “tape monitor” inputs most preamplifiers provide, thus the BEHRINGER DUALFEX PRO can be switched into any signal source.

3. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

3.1 The DUALFEX PRO’s Main Features

The BEHRINGER DUALFEX PRO...

sincreases presence and transparency. The program material will sound lively and natural again.

simproves the intelligibility of speech: voices become clearly articulated, text easily intelligible, the transparency of the vocal increases.

sprovides a distinct sound improvement, particularly for instruments played in a percussive style—“slapped” guitars or drums will sound incredibly “funky”.

sprovides better stereo imaging: the sound becomes more differentiated, speaker setup poses less problems, yet the signal remains fully mono-compatible.

sdoes not require any decoding process, since sound enhancement with the BEHRINGER DUALFEX PRO is not created independently of the signal itself, and remains available even during numerous processing or copying stages. Even digital recordings or CD replaying will gain from the use of the BEHRINGER DUALFEX PRO.

sincreases the listener’s awareness. Even with low sound pressure levels, the DUALFEX PRO avoids listening fatigue.

sfinds useful application in Hi-fi systems by providing better resolution of the sonic image, due to its suitability for the studio and its outstanding specifications. In particular, the processing of old analogue recordings (disks and tapes) proves to be very efficient with the DUALFEX PRO.

sproduces a more powerful and fundamental bass which does not sound muddy. All recordings will benefit from the “dry” and precisely defined bass contouring.

sproduces an improved spatial enhancement and stereo effect intensity with the surround processor without audibly colouring the sonic image.

3.2 Psycho-Acoustic Background

The term psycho-acoustics refers to the psychological aspect of hearing—in contrast to the physiological transfer of impulses (transmission of nervous impulses). Psycho-acoustics examines the effect of sound on the listener and the reasons for certain sonic impressions. The way sounds are interpreted is being determined by a lot of factors. Modern science is able to explain some of them, due to their complexity measuring them is yet another story. For instance, those portions which are responsible for the spatial localization of a sound consist of multiple reflections of the sound, depending on the acoustical setting and the listener’s position. Nevertheless, they determine the quality of a recording to an extraordinarily large extent.

There are also portions of the audio spectrum which we perceive as “presence” or “naturalness”. If this kind of information is missing, the recording suffers from a loss in “freshness”, “liveliness” and spatial transparency.

Furthermore, natural harmonics are essential components of the sound. Often enough, they only represent a minor portion of the signal and are easily lost. It´s the harmonic structure that makes a tone’s colour unique. Without this structure, different instruments would not be distinguishable. Numerous factors determine the sound of an instrument: the design and materials to name but two, but with such bearing on the eventual sound produced by that instrument.

When comparing acoustic musical instruments, for instance acoustic guitars, you will note that even two instruments from the same series have a different sound. From a physical point of view, a guitar produces a tone by means of a vibrating string which, in turn, sets air in motion. The subsequent propagating sound waves

12 3. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND