Freesound Forums

I have a question for those who understand the technical qualities of sound. How significant would the differences in sound quality be when comparing recorded bells(ex: Tibetan Sound Bowls) versus live bells. Let's assume that each comparison would make certain factors equal; i.e media used such as analog versus digital and type of sound equipment versus live bells.

I have a basic understand of sound waves, vibration etc. The question for me as a new meditator and lacking technical knowledge of sound is what is to be gained by meditating to live sound? My purpose is simply to know whether I want to incorporate some live meditation bells at some point in my routine as well as general knowledge of sound. I know that meditation works for healing and mental/spiritual clarity. I am curious as to the qualitative effects of true sound and possible additional benefits.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!

Tom

Feel is the difference.

The only way to feel the same experience through the stimuli of the ears and the rest of the whole body would be to have surround recording and speaker systems that would cost many thousands; meticulously and scientifically placed with exacting precision. Something that doesn't come easy.

But its still arguably impossible to recreate the exact same experience.
One reason is the conscious feeling of being in that same room where the sound source is materialised, perhaps if you could get your body and mind into that same setting through meditation or hypnotism, you may be able to get close to the real thing.

I respectfully disagree with my friend Head-Phase.
True: it is very difficult to capture a sound of anything exactly as it sounds. I would say even impossible, and won't go into the technicalities of it.
However. The sound of the bowl depends on much more than the bowl itself:
What you strike it with (hand, wood, metal, plastic...)
Where do you strike (rim, inside, outside)
How do you strike (sharp hit, glance hit, rub...)
Where do you place it (wooden table, stone floor, sand...)
The room (remember how different your voice sounds in the living room, the toilet, a large basement and from inside your closet?)
I have covered most, but not all factors...

So... If the healing/meditative properties of the sound depended on recreating the exact sound everytime, you would have no chance, even with real bowls!

I believe the point of the sound if to create a focus, which then allows the mind to reach its meditative state.
A good recording if the bowl sound, played on a decent stereo system should be good enough.

If you want to experiment, you can try meditaring under other relaxing sounds too: rustling leaves, tricling water, gentle wind, flute music, wind chimes, chanting monks,...
I would be interested to know if you find these sounds equaly useful for meditation as the bowls.

AlienXXX wrote:
I respectfully disagree with my friend Head-Phase.

Respect granted.

Although I do wish you would stop spelling my name the UK English way (ironic yes)

Head-Phaze wrote:
Although I do wish you would stop spelling my name the UK English way (ironic yes)

Sorry Head-Phaze.
Afleetingspeck had to put up with my mis-spelling for many months. Hopefully I wil do better in your case.

I don't think I used to have too many problems with my spelling in the past. Nowadays seems to be more common... maybe a sign that as the years add up my attention to detail is decreasing.

AlienXXX wrote:
Sorry Head-Phaze.
Afleetingspeck had to put up with my mis-spelling for many months. Hopefully I wil do better in your case.

I don't think I used to have too many problems with my spelling in the past. Nowadays seems to be more common... maybe a sign that as the years add up my attention to detail is decreasing.

No problem. I'm not that bothered about it.

Anyway, I don't think age affects attention to detail. Monotonous activity does however. XD