TAOP2 12: Instrument Seperation 2 - Distance Realism

G'day ladies 'n gents!

Today we revisit the topic of Instrument separation, but in a different way.

This time I touch on a subject that came to my attention a couple of years ago.

What makes a sound appear like it is coming from a distance? Usually, it is two simple things.

1. The higher frequencies are dampened.
2. The sound that reaches our ears is composed of reflections from the environment, more so than the direct sound from the source.

Why are the higher frequencies dampened (quieter) than the lower frequencies?
The answer is that because of the density of the air in the environment, the amplitude of the sound waves gets lower across distance. Because the air acts as a resistance.
Higher-frequency waves, do not penetrate the environment as much as lower frequencies.
Think about how you can often only hear the subfrequencies from a nightclub when you are outside the walls of the venue. The higher frequencies have a shorter wavelength and just don't make it as far through the objects (walls/atmosphere) as the subs do.

So combining a low pass filter, with reverb, is a great way to position your sounds in the distance in your mix.

This is a really helpful trick when you want to create space, depth and vivid environmental spaces in your bush prog or forest mix!

I have been passionate about this topic and investigated it in depth within my forest side project Aaralku. Check out some examples of this in action in these tracks.
  / aaralku  

I will go into more use case examples in the coming weeks and months as this track unfolds, and I produce more tutorials.

I hope you get some inspiration to think about using space in your mix in this way!

Have a good one :)

Cheers
Shammie

#Psytranceproduction #DarkProg #Foresttrance