Binaural recording - What is it?

A binaural recording uses two omnidirectional microphones, ideally placed in the ear canal (or a head/ear simulation), to reproduce the 3D audio exactly as a person would hear it in their position. When testing loudspeakers, for example, the stage that the loudspeaker sets up can be represented in such recordings. 

The recordings must be listened to with headphones and then form a much more detailed image of the spatial sound than is the case with Dolby Atmos, for example.

Here is a good video that explains how this works and shows the effect.

How was our recording made?

A Sennheiser ambeo Smart Headset (IOS) was used for the recording. This is worn like normal in-ear headphones and records the sound via two external microphones on the iPhone. Costs around 40 euros on Amazon. There are significantly more expensive models on the market, e.g. from 3Dio or the 4560 from DPA, but this one is a start-up 😉

There was actually only one problem with the recordings, the level was very low. I actually had the headphones on during the recording and was sitting on my sofa about 2 meters away from the soundboard. 

I have acquired the corresponding usage rights for a total of nine tracks via Envato. So that you can judge the sound even better, you can listen to the original MP3 file and the binaural MP3 recording for each track here. One difference between such recordings and the original MP3 on headphones is that the channels are no longer as clearly separated. To be fair, you have to listen to the original files on your own loudspeakers and then compare them with the binaural headphone sound, which is a recording of the playback on the soundboard in the room - from my living room.

At the beginning of each binaural piece you can hear the room quite well and that I move around in it to start the music. I didn't edit the files much so that the whole thing remains authentic. But the room is also so clear because I had to raise the level.

Title
Original MP3
Binaural MP3

World of Blue - Jazz - You should pay particular attention to the presentation of the drums.

Release the Hounds - Action - A piece straight out of a pirate movie. For movie and gaming enthusiasts.

Halloween Horror Lullaby - Alternative - Bell-bright rendition with atmospheric chimes.

Gymnopedie No.1 - Classical - The piece by George Satie in an orchestral version with beautiful depths.

Trip Hop - Electronic - The percussion in the foreground is very striking. 

Latin Love Song - Latin / Jazz - Lots of space on stage around the singer and clearly positioned instruments.

Epic Rock Trailer - Rock - A feast for movie enthusiasts. It gets down to business and the soundboard can do that too.

Baroque Harpsichord and Strings - Classical - Harpsichord and strings play powerfully here.

Spanish Acoustic Guitar - Classical - Good spatial representation of the guitars. The soundboard plays clearly and effortlessly.