MUSIC September 2023
Our topic grabs most of us like a friendly, octopus-hug. For some of us, music is a life-affirming need, like food or drink. Hi...my name is Tim, and I’m an aging audiophile. Harbored deeply in my genetic reality, the playback and enjoyment of electrically recorded sound began with my folks. The riches of radio into my adolescence included crooners, be-bop, do-wop, Elvis, Ella and Old Broadway. My older siblings displayed musical talent, me, the designated listener.
Friends, this article is not intended as a product review, though it easily could be. My audience is for anyone who has more than a passing interest in quality sound from a stereo source. The source might be a tablet, laptop, or PC, and include headphones, earbuds, passive or active loudspeakers on up to exotic high-fidelity audio. In describing my recent experience, I may occasionally use audio verbiage, but the plan is to share news with anyone with a passing interest in better sound, using layman’s terms. Disclaimer: I’ve no affiliation, professional interest, financial or otherwise with the product. I’m just a music lover who wants to spread good news in plain language.
In my simple opinion, I’m introducing a scientific, ground-breaking add-on device that, in some form, will long affect musical arts appreciation. The specific product is the BACCH Labs plug-in filter developed by Professor Edgar Choueiri of Princeton University. As a simplification, it is a downloadable algorithmic digital filter that works to correct the arrival time of sound to one’s ears. The digital technology dates to 2016, however, advancements allowing a downloadable plug-in are very recent. Much technical info can be found on their website. As I understand, successful demonstrations by Prof Choueiri have included even the use of a lowly boombox. This story is mine, alone, in my dedicated studio. Like food and beverages, there are opinions. We may share experience yet interpret it differently to others.
Here goes.BACCH algorithms perform the cancellation of “crosstalk,” sounds emanating from one loudspeaker penetrating sounds coming from the other loudspeaker, delivering unwanted information to both ears. This simply does not happen in nature. BACCH identifies these sounds, extracting what does not belong, allowing what does. Addition by extraction, pretty much...resulting in left speaker information to left ear only, right to right. The resulting sounds become much more life-like. Harmonic content seems naturally increased, especially in listening to well recorded piano. Former “missing” information, distorted or hidden by crosstalk deep in the mix, self-corrects and becomes audible, restoring cues to dimensionality. I’m reminded of the floating 3D seeds in the movie Avatar.Timbre, the sound of unamplified instruments in real space, becomes more convincingly and truthfully expressed. Leading edge crispness, acuity, greater articulation and the natural decay of sounds are more perceptible, without effort. All this without loss of dynamics. If anything, the percussive content seems increased without overloading, nor drawing attention to itself. Vocals are delineated with articulation and profound clarity, stirring emotional reach. Better timing of high frequencies, percussive strikes, shimmers and additional vibrancy of taught strings, draws smiles.Ambiance retrieval.
Any space where sound is created is uniquely captured by microphones. Standing on a corner in downtown Manhattan, NY, consider how our hearing can detect and locate events inside the cacophony, making some sense of it. This brings us to some concerns. For focused, attentive listeners, some recordings that have been heavily processed and engineered in the studio can sound foreign and somewhat incorrect with the BACCH, especially listening to old favorites.
Until now, I’ve refrained from examples of specific music. Rather involuntarily, when specific music, artists, genres are brought up, our opinions, flavors and, yes, prejudices come to fore. Hackles rise and we become defensive. I’m hoping to skirt that with a smattering of examples in a few broader areas, hopefully, music familiar to many of us.
First up, an example from the mid-1970’s, “Dire Straits” their introductory, self-titled album. The analog sound (vinyl) was exceptional, and it remains a favorite to this day. Jumping to the mid-1990's, the sound of digital technology had improved, finally striking my emotions. Unable to financially pursue great sound in both digital and analog (records,) I gave up my beloved vinyl system. The real challenge was in replacing my vinyl music with equally great sounding digital sources.
As an aside, in the extreme hi end audio community, the “which is best” argument continues around vinyl or digital playback. Most would agree the gap has closed considerably, particularly for the more casual listener. There is much to be enjoyed in the tactile process of handling, examining and playback of vinyl. The jackets are rich with readable information and shopping for used vinyl can be fun and exciting. I continue to shop for friends, truly feeling a part of music history. Nonetheless, here, our topic is the general improvement of sound for the masses.
In time, I finally found a good sounding digital version of “Dire Straits,” still, not equaling my memory of the sound of my vinyl. With the active BACCH in my system, the sound surpasses the vinyl playback in all parameters of good sound, despite it being a studio production. Next up, Paul Simon’s “Graceland,” a tour de force creatively and sonically. With the BACCH, from a digital source, the title cut, “Graceland,” sounds odd and a bit off. Remember, as an audiophile, I listen with more than average intent and know this album extremely well. The cut “Homeless,” however, sounds even more amazing than the vinyl, using the BACCH.Mercury Living Presence has historically famous classical stereo recordings. The recording techniques of the day used 2 and 3 microphones to record stereo with minimal studio processing. With the BACHH, OH my! Onto minimalist audiophile quality 2L Music Store recordings. OH my, my!! Onward. Last night I listened to some cuts from “Kind of Blue,” a Miles Davis led iconic jazz recording, famous for its enveloping sound. It was a riveting experience. I shifted to streaming more jazz records by a European label acclaimed for its “hands-off”” studio processing, ECM. Again, consistently lovely. “Trio,” a friendly collaboration of skillful harmonies from Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt reaching worldwide sales of appx. 4 million. Like the Dire Straits, vinyl wonderful, digital just okay. With BACCH, the vocals are more enriched and delineated, sounding superior to my memory with vinyl.
Okay, old timer, what about modern music? My young son has created computer generated electronic music for years, having signed with a music label. Ash's music is created using headphones, not studio monitors and adapts quite nicely to BACCH playback, since loudspeakers are not used in the production. BACH playback in my sound system has increased my respect and understanding of they's (yup) creations of genres which are less familiar to me, including rap, hip-hop, etc. Again, a caution folks. Much of today’s modern popular music is highly processed and flavored towards exaggerated bass suitable to mass-produced earbuds and other common listening devices.
There IS a low-risk trial solution! The BACCH has a 14 day free trial period featuring basic “set-up” instructions for your stereo. At this writing, cost of the entry level plug-in is $399 minus a current 15% off instant promotional code. For many of us, spoiled by almost free music streaming offline, this cost may seem alarming. Remember, this is a SINGLE cost improving music appreciation over months and years. Amortized, as a benefit for music lovers, it’s inexpensive and great fun! For audiophiles, evolutionary.
Over time, there most likely will be competition, however, it is my understanding that BACCH is continually improving its algorithms, having quite a lead. True progress in the audio arts moves slowly. BACCH provides evidence of “surely.” Thanks for reading, Tim Gagnon pinthrifttm@gmail.com
