The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Digital recording affecting intonation??
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Digital recording affecting intonation??
Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 15 Jan 2020 8:01 pm    
Reply with quote

Just discovered something pretty weird. At a recent performance, we videorecorded using two different digital devices, an iPhone and a Canon Powershot G9 camera. On one song I play a solo way up in Hughey-land and it sounds fine on the Canon recording but definitely sounds out of tune in several places on the iPhone recording. I thought maybe I was imagining things so I checked with my wife (a choral director, so she's very sensitive to intonation issues) - and she agreed with me.

I could understand it if it were two analog tape recordings with variable tape speed but how can this happen with digital devices??
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 16 Jan 2020 3:26 am    
Reply with quote

Sounds like bitrate or possibly one is compressed (MP3 audio format) and other is full wav audio? Just a thought as I don't know what format the iPhone uses for audio on a recording.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bill Terry


From:
Bastrop, TX
Post  Posted 16 Jan 2020 6:24 am    
Reply with quote

+1 on what Jack said. No doubt some sort of 'lossy' data compression is likely in play, and that can create all sorts of audible artifacts.

Scroll down about half way on this page to the 'Common Artifacts of Lossy Compression' section. You'll find that there are all sorts of things that can happen that change perception of pitch, etc. The rest of the page is a good read as well.

https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/what-data-compression-does-your-music
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 16 Jan 2020 6:46 am    
Reply with quote

Might also be camera position and reflections.

h
_________________
Howard Parker

03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
Listowner Resoguit-L
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Jason Goodell


From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jan 2020 5:12 pm    
Reply with quote

If pitch variations are happening on the iPhone I would consider the following things. #1 overloading of the mic causing clipping. #2 rapid movement the phone creating a doppler effect. Was the phone moving or vibrating, and or inline of a loud sound source?
_________________
Physicist, software engineer, hobbyist amplifier builder, purveyor of dad-jokes, and guitar player of many of its forms. Not necessarily in that order, and with no guarantee or warranty.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bob Hoffnar


From:
Austin, Tx
Post  Posted 5 Feb 2020 5:57 am    
Reply with quote

Both of those units have pretty crappy mics. They are also both different crappy so they would accentuate different frequencies. Room placement can have a big effect also.

You never mentioned how you listen back. If they are recorded at different bit rates your D/A conversion could affect the pitch.

The one thing to do is link up that Zoom recorder for the audio. Great mics built in and quality A/D-D/A converters.
_________________
Bob
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Barry Yasika


From:
Bethlehem, Pa.
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2020 7:16 am     recording
Reply with quote

Did you happen to post them on Youtube? I'd be interested in hearing the difference. I've had sort of the same problem. If not, no worries I was just curious.
_________________
Emmons
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP