"and if the codes are made for first-order filters, they will be as much minimum-phase as analogue first-order networks--minimum-phase being the requirement for phase compensation (this was Ted Kendall's bid for the problems)." Quite so - the operative word being "if" - they all too often aren't. There are some ghastly algorithms hiding behind pretty interfaces... ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Brock-Nannestad" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 12:38 AM Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Disc EQ in the digital domain From: Patent Tactics, George Brock-Nannestad Hello, I am a bit puzzled over this debate. I could just pretend that I understood and say nothing (after all, Hans Christian Andersen's Emperor's New Clothes was from Denmark), but I think that at least I merit a better explanation. I can accept the following in the "flat" case, meaning that we have a velocity reproducer of the groove. As the amplitude of the groove does not go above the maximum excursion at, say 1000 Hz, the output level from a 20 Hz signal is about 20 dB down, or about 1/10 of the level, although, nom�nally, the input to the recording system was at the same level when that frequency was recorded. So, we have to amplify, boost, it, either in the pre-amp or digitally, by shifting the digital words representing this low frequency "to the right". The least significant bit now represents a higher step, so our resolution in the digital representation has suffered. The rules that govern this shifting are the codes for the digital filter that actually performs the bass boost, and if the codes are made for first-order filters, they will be as much minimum-phase as analogue first-order networks--minimum-phase being the requirement for phase compensation (this was Ted Kendall's bid for the problems). I do not really see in which way this loss of resolution should have any practical importance if you use 24 bits, unless it is because the 24 bits are not accurate as to resolution when you go below 14-16 bit at the sample rates used. In other words, if the steps that are not at all equidistant when you get into the less significant bits suddenly mean more, then you have non- equidistant steps at levels where this becomes audible distortion. So my question is: is this the most plausible explanation for digital EQ sounding worse? The noises from pre-vinyl records have a very broad spectrum, and if you boost the bass before using programs to remove some of the noise, these programs will behave differently. Similarly if you reduce the treble as in the vinyl RIAA case. I am quite convinced that those professional and semi- professional programs that are available for noise reduction have taken this into account, but I think that a skewed spectral distribution is just one more problem that such a program would have to deal with. For this reason it would appear that going flat to your A-D, going into noise reduction (not here discussing the various characters of noises) and then perform the EQ digitally, while you are at it, would give the best effect. However, as more and more noise reduction is using physiological properties of the ear for noise masking, possibly this approach will be thwarted, as the ear does not like to listen to a non-boosted bass from a pre-vinyl record, and so the wrong masking procedure would be applied if you had not already corrected the response in the pre-amp. It is probably a compromise situation. Kind regards, George > On Wednesday, March 10, 2010 8:44 AM, Jim Sam wrote: > > > On Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 6:42 PM, Eric Jacobs wrote: > > > >> Transfering FLAT will cost you about 6-7 bits of dynamic > >> range - an audible loss. > >> > > > > 36-42 dB*? ~10-12 is more like it, which is two bits max. > > That leaves 22 bits, which is more than adequate. > > Hi Jim, > > Just a thumbnail calculation on word length loss for two common EQs: > > RIAA boost = 19.27 dB @ 20 Hz > RIAA cut = 19.62 dB @ 20,000 Hz > RIAA dynamic range lost = 38.89 dB > RIAA approximate word length loss with FLAT EQ transfer = 6.5 bits > > NAB boost = 19.85 dB @ 20 Hz > NAB cut = 21.52 dB @ 20,000 Hz > NAB dynamic range lost = 41.37 dB > NAB approximate word length loss with FLAT EQ transfer = 6.8 bits > > To the extent that fractional bits exist. <smile> > > Keep in mind that this is word length loss due to a FLAT transfer, > where the bass boost is lost, and extra headroom is needed to > accomodate the lack of treble cut. > > Eric Jacobs > > The Audio Archive, Inc. > tel: 408.221.2128 > fax: 408.549.9867 > mailto:[log in to unmask] > http://www.TheAudioArchive.com > Disc and Tape Audio Transfer Services and Preservation Consulting