8D music returns to the ring. In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, dozens of songs 'in 8D' are being a trend on YouTube and WhatsApp. Although it may seem something new, the truth is that this type of music has been behind for several years. The first songs date from nothing less than 1980. But what is 8D music really? Is it a musical genre? Why is it becoming so popular? We see it below.
8D music: this is the reason for its popularity
The misnamed '8D music' is not about a musical genre. According to its inventor, Hugo Zuccarelli, it is a sound effect based on what is known in physics as holophonic sound or holophony.
Ringo, the mannequin designed by Hugo Zuccarelli to emulate the holophonic sound.
This effect is based on four physical principles: wavelength, sound temporal delay, the Haas effect, and masking . Of the four principles on which this sound effect is based, the Haas effect is the most relevant. As described by Wikipedia, this effect describes how the brain acts when a sound comes from different sources.
In summary, it will only take into account the sound that comes from the source closest to our ear, but it will locate its origin at an intermediate point between the emitting sources. On this basis, 8D music plays precisely with the distance from the emitting source. In Christian: despite the fact that a song sounds in both ears, the brain will only take into account the sound of the closest source , which can be an instrument, a voice or even the general track of the composition. To understand this, it is convenient to know how the equalization of a song works.
Scheme used in Logic Pro X to equalize the sound of a track. The blue dots represent the emission sources and their location on a 2D map.
When it comes to equalizing a track, the editing programs have a two-dimensional map that allows you to configure the channel through which the sound will be emitted (right, left or center). Music in 8D plays with this two-dimensional map rotating constantly throughout the song .
In this way, the producer keeps the emission source in the center and rotates a duplicate emission source throughout the 2D space. A third, fifth or eighth dimension is not created, but a psychological effect is produced that distorts the perception of the brain through the Haas effect . For this reason it is recommended to use a 5.1 or 7.1 system to play this type of music, although we can also use headphones.
Pink Floyd was the first group to use 8D music
So is. Specifically in their album The Final Cut, originally released in 1983. The group led by David Gilmour and Roger Waters partnered with Zuccarelli to create a holophonic effect on the tracks of their songs, although it is somewhat less noticeable than some current songs .
Pink Floyd was joined by several renowned artists, such as Michael Jackson in the 1990s. Years later, the holophonic effect took a back seat due to the popularization of Surround systems with Dolby at the helm.
Almost 20 years later, 8D music is back in fashion. Some even call it a "drug for the ears in moments of stress . " After all, the Haas effect is a psychological effect, although its impact as a means of relaxation has not yet been demonstrated by any study.