Holophonics

Holophonics is a trademark for a specific form of sound recording that is based on the hypothesis that the auditory system acts as an interferometer. The sound characteristics of Holophonics are most clearly heard through headphones,though can be demonstrated to be effective with ordinary 2 channel stereo speakers. To optimize this effect, loudspeakers have also been specifically designed for reproducing Holophonic recordings.

Holophonics should not be confused with holophonic recording (or holophony), which is a system of sound recording over the surface of a sphere, or binaural recording, a recording technique invented in the 1880's that provides some localization of sound. Holophonics is an addendum to binaural recording, which alone are not sufficent to produce a Holophonic recording, and hs been said to be unnecessary. The latter assertion is explained by the fact that the human ear does not lose localization capabilities if only one ear is functioning due to its usage of a reference beam. For this reason, Interferometry is central and unique to Holophonics. Despite considerable theoretical wrangling as to its mechanisms, the Holophonic effect is easily demonstrated and undeniable when experienced. Holophonics can validate clear left - right, front - back, and up - down localisation capabilities.

History

Holophonics was invented by Argentine Hugo Zuccarelli in 1980, during his studies at the Polytechnic of Milan, Italy. It, along with Zuccarelli, rose to fame in 1983 with the release of a recording entitled "Zuccarelli Holophonics (The Matchbox Shaker)" released in the UK by CBS which consisted entirely of short recordings of sound effects designed to show off the system. These included the shaking matchbox, haircut & blower, bees, balloon, plastic bag, birds, airplanes, fireworks, thunder, and racing cars. In its early years, Holophonics was highly sought after by major players in the entertainment industry including Michael Jackson, who used Holophonics on his album "Bad", Paul McCartney, and Richard Branson. It has been used in film soundtrack, popular music, television and themeparks, and has been featured by major media throughout the world. [ [http://www.acousticintegrity.com/acousticintegrity/Past_History.html Holophonics Media History] ]

Zuccarelli posited that the human auditory system is a sound emitter, producing a reference sound that combines with incoming sound to form an interference pattern inside the ear. The nature of this pattern is sensitive to the direction of the incoming sound. According to the hypothesis, the cochlea detects and analyzes this pattern as if it were an acoustic hologram. The brain then interprets this data and infers the direction of the sound. An article from Zuccarelli presenting this theory was printed in the magazine "New Scientist" in 1983. This article was followed soon after by two letters casting doubt on Zuccarelli's theory and his scientific abilities. [Zuccarelli, Hugo; "Ears Hear by Making Sounds," New Scientist, 438-440 1983] [Baxter, A.J., and Kemp, David T.; "Zuccarelli's Theory," New Scientist, 606-606 1983] Despite these theoretical challenges, Zuccarelli's Holophonics produced a unique quality of audio product that was sought after highly throughout the 80's and 90's.

Though a distinct process, Holophonics, like binaural recording, reproduces the interaural differences (arrival time and amplitude between the ears), as well as rudimentary HRTF (head-related transfer functions). These combine with Holophonics to add to the illusion that sounds produced in the membrane of a speaker emanate from specific directions. To produce digital holophonic binaural recordings, a mono source requires many HRTF channels combined. Fact|date=December 2007. The basilar membrane analyses many individual spectral components of a sonic environment, all processed in parallel by the brain

Recordings released using holophonics

* Pink Floyd, "The Final Cut" Harvest/E.M.I, 7243 8 31242 2 0 (1982).Cite book
publisher = Omnibus,
isbn = 071194301x
pages = 150p.
last = Mabbett
first = Andy
title = The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd
location = London
date = 1995]
* Roger Waters, "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking", Harvest, CDP 7 46029 2 (1984).
* Psychic TV, "Dreams Less Sweet", Some Bizzare (1983).

Examples of holophonic sound

* [http://www.acousticintegrity.com/acousticintegrity/Sound_Samples/Sound_Samples.html Holophonics™ Sound Samples:]
* [http://www.holophonic.ch/archivio/testaudio/Cereni%20-%20Holophonic.mp3 From holophonic.ch:] — An example of holophonics: you hear someone lighting two matches, first on your right and then your left. You then hear the box of matches shaking all around your head. Listen with headphones. It appears that Zuccarelli and Maggi have worked together in Italy in the '80s. Another example from holophonic.ch is the [http://www.holophonic.ch/archivio/testaudio/voce.mp3 sensual voice] of a woman whispering into your ears going from the left to right.
* [http://www.holophonic.ch/archivio/testaudio/phon.mp3 Blowdryer]
* [http://www.holophonic.ch/archivio/testaudio/campanello.mp3 Bell]

References

External links

* [http://www.acousticintegrity.com Acoustic Integrity] — This is the official contact page and site for Hugo Zuccarelli and his technologies. It contains technical clarifications, historical notes on the use of Holophonics in the 80's and 90's, some sound samples, interviews, videos, and updates on his inventions for the market.