Perceived Loudness
By Terry Smythe
I've been following this "loudness" thread for several weeks now and suggest that very much of what we are dealing with is "perceived" loudness.
I often have friends over and my 1935 Steck Ampico A/B gets a good workout. Typically we start with what amounts to a "Gee Whiz!" demonstration, where in advance I caution my guests not to try to talk while the piano is playing.
So, for about 4-6 rolls, my guests are suitably enthralled, starting with something like Mischa Levitzki playing Liszt's Etude in D Flat, and often finishing with a 4-hand (Volavy/Brockway) performance of the Overture to Rossini's Semiramide. The latter is an outstanding roll with an awesome range of dynamics, tempo et al, leaving my listeners breathless.
In my small home, I ordinarily set the dynamic range 5" to 20", with subdue shrinking it 5" to 13". When I take this piano out for a public performance, I adjust the range 5" to 30" for a larger hall and stage projection.
Most any roll can be perceived to be "loud" if those in attendance try to talk over the music. I have found that the critical ingredient is a brief introduction in which I caution my guests not to try to talk. Just listen and enjoy the music. Under such circumstances, I've never had a complaint about the piano being "too loud".
Inevitably my guests do start talking over the music which is my cue to switch to background music and flip a hidden subdue switch to shrink back dynamic range. When the talk-over starts, I invariably get comments about how loud the piano is.
In my 28+ years in this avocation, I have learned that it matters not whether it is a Duo-Art, Ampico, or Welte. If talk-over is underway, most in attendance will find the piano too loud. If they are there to listen to the music, the piano is never too loud.
Something to think about.
Regards,
Terry Smythe
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(Message sent Thu 29 Aug 1996, 15:25:24 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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