On typical poorly recorded, heavily multi-miked, heavily processed material, absolute phase (or polarity, as Dopogue points out) will clearly make either no difference or a random difference. On string instruments, and many other instruments as well, I'd imagine it would also make no discernable difference, as Ghstudio points out.
However, on a high-quality audiophile caliber recording, that is done using just two or three microphones, that is minimally processed, and especially one that contains sharp percussive sounds, you can find many comments by equipment reviewers and others indicating that there will be subtle but audible degradation if polarity is inverted.
As Dopogue alluded to, some preamps even provide for on-the-fly polarity switching via remote control.
My own philosophy has been that it's easy enough to keep the system phase correct (unless, as I mentioned previously, the source components differ from one another), so I just do it and don't worry about whether or not having it wrong would make a difference.
Regards,
-- Al
However, on a high-quality audiophile caliber recording, that is done using just two or three microphones, that is minimally processed, and especially one that contains sharp percussive sounds, you can find many comments by equipment reviewers and others indicating that there will be subtle but audible degradation if polarity is inverted.
As Dopogue alluded to, some preamps even provide for on-the-fly polarity switching via remote control.
My own philosophy has been that it's easy enough to keep the system phase correct (unless, as I mentioned previously, the source components differ from one another), so I just do it and don't worry about whether or not having it wrong would make a difference.
Regards,
-- Al