Clearing Up the Confusion: Binaural Recording vs. Binaural Beats
Before diving into the fascinating world of binaural recording, it’s important to address a common misconception: binaural recording and binaural beats are entirely different concepts, yet they’re often confused.
Binaural Recording refers to a technique used to capture sound the way human ears naturally perceive it, creating a spatially immersive experience. It involves microphones placed in ear-like positions to mimic how sound interacts with the shape of the head and ears.
Binaural Beats, on the other hand, are an auditory illusion. They occur when two tones of slightly different frequencies are played in each ear, creating the perception of a "third tone" as the brain processes the difference. Binaural beats are primarily used in meditation, therapy, and brainwave entrainment, not in recording soundscapes or music.
This distinction is crucial, as many people mistakenly associate binaural recording with brainwave therapy or meditative sound design... they serve entirely separate purposes in the audio world.
What is Binaural Audio?
According to Wikipedia:"Binaural - literally means 'having or relating to two ears.' Binaural hearing, along with frequency filtering, enables animals to determine the direction of sound sources. It’s a fascinating recording and playback technique that, with just two microphones, can create an immersive ambient sound effect. For recording, two microphones are attached to a mannequin’s head, positioned where the ears would be."
In binaural recording, the goal is to replicate the listener’s perspective as naturally as possible. When played back on headphones, the result is a vivid, three-dimensional soundscape where the listener feels like they are inside the recorded environment.
What is it Used For?
Binaural recording’s unique ability to capture sound as we hear it has made it invaluable in various fields, such as:
Virtual Reality (VR): Creating hyper-realistic soundscapes that match the visual immersion of VR environments.
Psychoacoustics: Exploring how humans perceive and localize sound.
Film and Gaming: Adding realism by placing sounds precisely in the auditory field, enhancing storytelling and gameplay.
Meditative and Therapeutic Soundscapes: While distinct from binaural beats, binaural recordings can enhance relaxation and focus by immersing listeners in calming environments.
Music Production: Offering new creative dimensions, particularly in ambient and experimental genres.
How is Binaural Audio Recorded?
Binaural recording requires two microphones, ideally placed in ear-like positions on a dummy head. These setups often use anatomically accurate shapes to mimic the way sound interacts with the human ear and head. The head, pinnae, and even subtle body absorption play a critical role in shaping the sound that reaches the microphones, creating the immersive experience during playback.
I began experimenting with binaural recording in the mid-2010s, building my own prototype microphone setup. This allowed me to explore the technique’s potential across a wide range of projects.
During 2015 and 2016, I captured moments like the Passover celebrations in Jerusalem, the immersive installation "Paisagens Sonoras" with Bruno Magalhães, and even binaural sessions recorded directly to 1/4" tape. One of the most unique applications was recording brazilian legendary musician Arnaldo Baptista for an unreleased film. Arnaldo called my microphone "Miguel" at that time...name that we still use.
Conclusions and Industry Applications
Binaural audio has firmly established itself as a vital tool in modern audio production. In industries like gaming, VR, and immersive theater, it enhances storytelling by placing listeners at the heart of the action. Meditation apps often pair binaural recordings with soothing soundscapes for deeply engaging experiences. Musicians and sound designers continue to push its creative boundaries, exploring how spatial realism can transform the listener's relationship with sound.
For me, binaural audio has been a gateway to rethinking sound. Each recording session—whether on bustling city streets, inside art installations, or in quiet, intimate spaces—has deepened my understanding of its potential. My experimental work whicj now became B-Lab Noise Generator remains fueled by the curiosity to explore what binaural techniques can reveal about the world i hear.
