Psychoacoustics

Clarity

Clarity of sound is a complex phenomena. This article does not attempt to present a scientific argument but rather builds a case based on experience in listening to live music, recorded music, together with a good foundation in the field of psychoacoustics.

Definition of the word clarity for the purposes of the this article: the degree to which a listener can pick out and follow individual parts (voices, instruments, notes) in a musical presentation.

There are four principle dimensions in a musical sound field: the spectral, spatial, temporal, and dynamic dimensions. All four are part of the all-important thing we call "clarity".

• Spectral: if an amplification system distorts the spectrum or tone of an instrument it can affect clarity. For example, if the high frequency content is reduced or lost, lyrics become more difficult to understand and instrumental notes more difficult to hear, other things being equal.
• Spatial:
• Temporal
• Dynamic

(in progress)