Just Noticeable Difference for Dynamic Range Compression via “Limiting” of a Stereophonic Mix

Hickman C, Bulla W. Just Noticeable Difference for Dynamic Range Compression via “Limiting” of a Stereophonic Mix. In: AES Convention 147. Audio Engineering Society; 2019. Paper 10317. Available from: https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=20689

@inproceedings{Hickman2019_20689,
  author = {Hickman, Christopher and Bulla, Wesley},
  title = {{Just Noticeable Difference for Dynamic Range Compression via “Limiting” of a Stereophonic Mix}},
  booktitle = {AES Convention 147},
  note = {Paper 10317},
  year = {2019},
  month = oct,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  url = {https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=20689}
}

TY  - CPAPER
TI  - Just Noticeable Difference for Dynamic Range Compression via “Limiting” of a Stereophonic Mix
AU  - Hickman, Christopher
AU  - Bulla, Wesley
T2  - AES Convention 147
M1  - Paper 10317
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/10/06
UR  - https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=20689
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - This study focused on the ability of listeners to discern the presence of dynamic range compression (DRC) when applied to a stereo recording. Past studies have primarily focused on listener preferences for stereophonic master recordings with varying levels of DRC. A modified two-down one-up adaptive test presented subjects with an increasingly “limited” stereophonic mix to determine the 70.7% response threshold. Results of this study suggest that DRC settings considered “normal” in recorded music production may be imperceptible when playback levels are loudness-matched. Outcomes of this experiment indicate the use of so-called “limiting” for commercial purposes, such as signal chain control, may have no influence on perceived quality; whereas, uses for perceived aesthetic advantages should be reconsidered.
ER  -