Presence Considerations In Music Production

Jack Klotz and Matthew LombardTemple University

A music producer/engineer and a telepresence scholar explore the current and potential application of presence research in the real world

context of the recording industry.

Recording and mixing techniques are compared in terms of the impact each has on the sense of presence experienced by the listener. A major

goal is the development of recommendations for application by music industry professionals of techniques in their work that increase the sense

of “connection” that fans feel with music and performers.

Overview: …Baby One More Time

Busy Instrumentation Electric / Electronic Instruments MIDI Sequencing Wide Stereo Image Large Reverbs & Special Effects

Sparse Instrumentation Acoustic Instruments

Human Musicians Mono (Center Panning)

Little to No Reverb or Effects

Brittney Spears Travis

Studio vs. LocationKISS

Clean Controlled Sound Lower “Energy” “One Way”

Noisy Uncontrolled Sound Energetic & Exciting

Interactive

Studio Recording Live Recording

Overdubbing vs. Performing Live

Perfect Performances Controlled Sound Lower “Energy” Quality

Flawed Performances Uncontrolled Sound Energetic & Exciting

Fun

Steely Dan The Beatles

MIDI vs. MusiciansStevie Wonder

Perfect Performances Controlled Arrangement Lower “Energy”

Imperfect Performances Musicians Interacting Energetic & Exciting

MIDI: That Girl Live Musicians: I Wish

Findings

Presence is increased:

• on location compared to in the studio;

• with performers playing together compared to overdubbing; and

• with performing musicians compared to computer-controlled synthesis.

Presence is also increased through the use of:

• narrower panning,

• warmer EQ and

• smaller reverbs,

as opposed to exaggerated panning, brighter EQ and larger reverbs.

By either capturing music in or more accurately replicating real spaces, and by embracing the imperfections that make a musical performance human, one increases the possibility for one’s recording to make human-to-human contact.

end