Arny Krueger wrote:

the smallest just noticeable difference in a DBT would be more like 0.3
dB.

1 dB is a difference that can be reliably detected without a really close
comparison.

It depends geatly on the acuity of the listener. I've proven to myself on a
number of occasions that I can discern .1 db variances reliably, which in all
cases was the limit of the setup's measurement and/or level steps. But by the
first time I tried this, I had been engineering professionally for about 10
years. It would be interesting at this point to set up some tests for myself
with smaller differences (IIRC I can dial up .01 db gain changes in PT's
Audiosuite). I imagine I might be able to repeatably identify .05 db
differences or so.

Untrained ears are another story. Wasn't the decibel standard arrived at as a
result of testing the smallest amount of difference that could be perceived
reliably by random test subjects? In my experience with my clients, most can
perceive considerably less than 1 db level adjustments in a mastering session,
but they're "in the business" to one degree or another.

It's my sense that many people not involved with sound or music as a profession
or hobby might not be able to be "sure" they heard, or you might say "notice",
differences of less than 2-3 db, although I haven't made any attempt to verify
that scientifically.

Arny, since you've done a lot of DBT research, I'm curious if you've seen these
kinds of variations in test subjects, particularly as it correlates with their
level of ear "training".


Ted Spencer, NYC

"No amount of classical training will ever teach you what's so cool about
"Tighten Up" by Archie Bell And The Drells" -author unknown