What exactly is PRaT???


Ok, it’s like this thing and is associated with “toe tapping” and such.  I confess, I don’t get it.  Apparently companies like Linn and Naim get it, and I don’t and find it a bit frustrating.  What am I missing?  I’m a drummer and am as sensitive as anyone to timing and beats, so why don’t I perceive this PRaT thing that many of you obviously do and prize as it occurs in stereo systems?  When I read many Brit reviews a lot of attention goes to “rhythm” and “timing” and it’s useless to me and I just don’t get it.  If someone can give me a concrete example of what the hell I’m not getting I’d sincerely be most appreciative.  To be clear, enough people I greatly respect consider it a thing so objectively speaking it’s either something I can’t hear or maybe just don’t care about — or both.  Can someone finally define this “thing” for me cause I seriously wanna learn something I clearly don’t know or understand.  

soix

@dogeardaudio

As a teenager I was air-conducting (might even have been to Pierre Monteux’s Elgar) when I accidentally hooked a vase on the mantlepiece and hurled it across the room. Mind you, Georg Solti (the Screaming Skull) got so carried away, he stabbed himself with his own baton ...

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PRaT, the most asinine term ever invented in audio.  Talk about doing audiophiles a disservice....  My version of 'PRaT'? The volume knob. If I want to bang my head, I crank that S up! 

@audiom3 

Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comment. I am sure it comes from deep knowledge and long study of the nuances of high end sound qualities.

@ghdprentice You're welcome! Yes, 40 years of being a drummer certainly doesnt hurt.  Knowledge of 'good' sound quality?  The only parameter with good SQ, is realistic or accurate. A cymbal (keeping it simple) that sounds compressed (ie squished dynamics), is not natural or accurate. No such thing as PRaT in a live concert. The band either has it, or they dont. If they do, people get into it. If they dont, they get booed off the stage in extreme situations.

@audiom3 Understand the term 'sarcasm' much?

Yes, there is no such thing as PRaT in a live concert because you are listening to live instruments. PRaT refers only to the reproduction of music with a focus on how accurately the leading and trailing edges of notes or sound waves are reproduced, which may not match the original live performance.

 

My introduction to the term came in the 1980’s, from members of the Linn "cult". Linn dealers would put on an LP, and act as if they couldn’t keep their feet from a tappin'. What a simple-minded concept, one entirely too subjective to try and debate.

 

Hmm, it is indeed a very simple track. But, the PR&Tty kid is able to cry his way into the souls of analytical old men.

 

Mk.Gee - Are you looking up

https://youtu.be/DxdKr5PmlPw?si=SRj4flzUpOR4WXPZ

 

PR&T ...whatever....

 

PRAT was what happened when the Grateful Dead were "on." They sure as heck were not "on" all the time, but when they were the joint was hoppin'.

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OP, interesting question and one I have often wondered about myself.  

How do we know that what one person means by PRaT is the same as another, especially when communicating on an internet forum rather than sitting in a room together listening to music.

N

OP

Perhaps it comes down to the ability of the amplifier to respond rapidly and fully to the current demands of the signal. This is most prominent when dealing with transients.

Transient as we know are sounds that very rapidly rise and fall, such as a kick or snare drum. When replaying such a recorded sound, the amplifier needs to almost instantaneously supply a peak of current to drive the loudspeaker to deliver the sound.  If the power supply is inadequate, then the current supply will be limited, and the dynamics of the sound are reduced, losing the sense of impact from the recording (PRaT) etc. 

Indeed, for so called PRaT speakers must be essential to bring out the pace rhythm and timing… the electronics certainly can’t do it on its own… there needs to be a synergy. 

N

 

Still prattling on about PRaT??!

When I first read about music reproduced with good pace, rhythm, and timing, I assumed the system had elevated midbass and treble to emphasize drums, cymbals, etc. and an uncompressed dynamic range.

@jwei 

When I first read about music reproduced with good pace, rhythm, and timing, I assumed the system had elevated midbass and treble to emphasize drums, cymbals, etc. and an uncompressed dynamic range.

 

You say when you "first heard... [you] assumed..." 

Does this mean you have subsequently clarified it for yourself through direct experience or. . . ? 

 

@stuartk 

Actually no.  I did not try to listen to equipment touted specifically for good PRaT. I had little real curiosity for what I felt was just another marketing term.

@jwei

I haven’t been into audio long enough to associate this term with any brand. When I researched my Hegel H390, I encountered mentions of its tendency to "move the music along" and once in my system, this was indeed apparent. It was not only noticeably different from other integrateds I’d owned but also from the much-more-costly systems owned by two friends -- both long-time audiophiles. Perhaps PRaT is just a marketing term but so far I haven’t encountered another that appears to be a more appropriate description of this particular phenomenon. OK -- "Boogie Factor" -- maybe. But that’s not very specific, 

Because I’ve discovered rhythmic engagement is crucial to my listening enjoyment, the fact that this "propulsive" capacity was repeatedly mentioned in connection with the Hegel definitely piqued my curiosity. However, I recognize that each of us has different priorities when it comes to sonic attributes so it's understandable that this capacity might not matter so much to you or others, here.  

We could make this even uglier.
 
pratfall /prăt′fôl″/
 

noun

  1. A fall on the buttocks.
  2. A humiliating error, failure, or defeat.
  3. A fall onto the buttocks.