is a dummy head NOT binaural?

[rodrigo]

If I build a dummy head out of wood, and strap a couple of omni mics inside tiny holes where the ears would be, it wouldn't be a binaural head, right?

As I understand it, it should have "ears" an ear canal and pinnae to make it a binaural head. So, then... what would this bastard son of binaural mics be??

I have a couple of Naiant omni mics that I got some time ago, and would like to build a wooden head for them. Maybe get some rubber ears, etc... what do you recommend if I want to get as close to a binaural head without spending the big bucks?

Thanks!

[Savernake]

For a binaural project, my friend actually put two small mics in his own ears (facing out of course). Not sure what mics he used, they were tiny, but it worked.

[joeq]

I believe that some binaural purists say that the dummy head should not have pinnae- the reasoning being that each persons ears are uniquely shaped and modify incoming sounds in a way that is learned in childhood.

If you look at the pinnae as a kind of personalized before-the-mic EQ you kind of get where this idea is coming from- there should only be one set of pinnae in the chain - and that would be yours, not the dummy's.

I am no purist, but your idea sounds like 'binaural' to me.

[AnthonyRochester]

I imagine that wood isn't the best material to make the dummy head out of, you'd want something that resembles the reflection/absorption properties of a real head a bit better.. I don't know what they are normally made out of.

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by Savernake

For a binaural project, my friend actually put two small mics in his own ears (facing out of course). Not sure what mics he used, they were tiny, but it worked.

I actually would like to have it available for several recording duties (drum overheads, BGV's etc.) while I'm in the control room. That's the reason I can't use my own "dummy head"

[O.F.F.]

I'd get one of those styrofoam heads that are meant for displaying wigs.

Cost very little, weigh nothing and you can work on them with a sharp knife or an old soldering bit.

[bcgood]

Originally Posted by O.F.F.

I'd get one of those styrofoam heads that are meant for displaying wigs.

Cost very little, weigh nothing and you can work on them with a sharp knife or an old soldering bit.

Yep

[Audiop]

One must not forget that when listening to headphones (which is the only reson to record with a dummy head IMO) there will be no effect of your own pinnae. The sound is fired straight into the ear canal without any shadowin and "EQ" of the pinnae.

I would guess a bad pinnae is better than no pinnae (just like se.. well you know).


/Peter

[Jim Williams]

I made one of these back in 1983 using the foam wig holder head with a couple of omni electret capsules (like the Panasonic one's you can get from digi-key).
It worked OK, but I never found a great use for it. If you're really into it, research mods for Panasonic capsules in which you cut the fet wiring to convert to a follower, that allows massive headroom as the stock capsules overload easily.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by O.F.F.

I'd get one of those styrofoam heads that are meant for displaying wigs.

Cost very little, weigh nothing and you can work on them with a sharp knife or an old soldering bit.

Very similar, but a little closer to 'human flesh' - meet Judy...