The perfect sound – mastering, measuring and myths

"Although any individual listener experience is the sum of many factors and is influenced not only by technological parameters but also by the listener’s emotions and state of alertness, not to speak of their musical history, I am convinced that even a slight improvement in sound quality when listening to music can improve your quality of life."

An uncompromising attitude to producing a recording is worth it, because even though music is being listened to in increasingly diverse circumstances, one can always recognise quality. This, at least, is the firm belief of professional producers and recording engineers. Investing in sound quality has become an essential part of the lifestyle of many, even if they never acquire actual hi-fi gear.

In recent years, concert hall research has been raised to a new level with a method developed at Aalto University in Finland. This enables the authentic auditing of concert hall acoustics in a laboratory.

Finnish high-end audio firms aim for blunt, simple honesty.

"Studying the acoustic responses measured has also allowed conclusions to be made about what kind of sound field leads to a specific kind of observation by listeners. This translates into a better understanding of what kind of architecture supports music best and, above all, conveys the orchestra’s performance of the music to the audience in the best possible way."

"I am currently exploring ways of ensuring the audibility of a specific instrument in orchestral texture before rehearsals even begin." This column is part of the series "On my music and beyond", where composers and other music makers write about their music.

The Finnish Music Museum Fame in Helsinki will open in October 2019. Featuring art music and popular music side by side, this museum makes ample use of the latest technology to offer immersive sound universes and virtual landscapes.