At This Time Can We Recreate Full Range Live Music In The Home?


I read on this web site some members claim they go to the symphony orchestra and are "convinced" their system reproduces the experience. I agree with vocals, light percussion, acoustic music, light jazz, the best systems come very close. My experience comes from being a semi professional drummer for 40+ years. I currently have acoustic and electronic drums in my home. I play in a huge open space with 20 foot cathedral ceilings. I think I can state that I know what live drums sound like. Can even the six figure systems reproduce the attack and decay of a 20 inch crash cymbal? I say "maybe" in the future but not now! What makes me laugh is we audiophiles myself included will spend many, many thousands of dollars trying to reproduce the sound of a $20 triangle or a $15 woodblock or a $10 shaker. Play the song Aja by Steely Dan. I can play on my system the drum solo by the great Steve Gadd at realistic volume levels-if you dare -but it is not the same as real drums!! I don’t know if I can’t convince people that are not musicians. Not putting non-musicians down. Quoting my dad, "You don’t have to be a horse to be a horse doctor." Another quote by John Lennon. Someone asked him what he was listening to. He responded, "Dripping water."  It would be interesting to know how many of the greatest producers/engineers are or are not musicians or vocalists.
Some statistics: Soft drums 105dB, hard drums up to 130dB, kick drum/timpani 106-111dB, ride cymbal 101dB, toms 110dB, ride bell 115dB, crash 113dB, snare 120dB, rimshot 125dB. I have a system that could produce 125dB, would I -NO WAY I value my #1 instrument -my ears. So the drums are playing at 125dB peaks, now add in the other 80+ members of the symphony orchestra-how loud now? I ask again, can we at this time reproduce accurately the power of a symphony orchestra in the home? For many of us this is the Holy Grail of being an audiophile - Keep Searching!
wweiss
"Live music" is Performance Art; 'downstream' (pun? maybe....) is a reproduction, as is a recording of a 'live' situation.

Sure, you may be able to listen to a squeak in the kickdrums' hardware on your home system....just like hearing Van Morrison go 'Uh' in a song.  

A funny 'miscue' on his part, but it made its' way onto the LP....and the CD...and beyond.

Done live after that?  I really doubt it, but you can be sure Van got ribbed about it.....;)

The roar of the footlights, the smell of the crowd....all that.

I don't care a rodents' butt how good your system is or isn't...it's Not Live, nor ever will or can be.

I don't expect perfection from my pile of misc.  If it 'gets me there', in some fashion that pleases (for now), I'm good to go.

Please Note:  I consciously refrain from commenting upon whatever and however you're applying to enjoy what boats your float.
I can't hear it, nor not likely ever having the opportunity to do so.
The only thing I 'hear' is your commentary in my head.
Sometimes the neurons 'short out'. but I won't hold it against you...the breaker hasn't tripped yet.

Note #2:  'You' is used in a 'collective' sense, 'blame' could be directed, but I'll keep my keys to myself.....
The first question to ask is can the recording process accurately capture live music.

Maybe on very simple acoustic instruments, but otherwise, no.

Next is how much does the mastering process compress the "liveness" out.

I think the best we can hope for is reproducing what the recording/mastering process intends us to hear.
No.  Too many flaws and shortcomings in the reproduction chain.  Too many flaws in room acoustics.
No, and if someone says yes then they are just fooling themselves or drinking heavily. 
Come on SOME of you. We all know accurate reproduction of a symphony orchestra at home is not possible. End of story.