I think precision in defining the leading and trailing edge of notes (or when a sound starts and stops) makes a difference in improving the perception of rhythm and timing. What I hear as better "PRaT" is that interactions between different instruments and voices are easier to comprehend.
What exactly is PRaT???
Ok, it’s like this thing and is associated with “toe tapping” and such. I confess, I don’t get it. Apparently companies like Linn and Naim get it, and I don’t and find it a bit frustrating. What am I missing? I’m a drummer and am as sensitive as anyone to timing and beats, so why don’t I perceive this PRaT thing that many of you obviously do and prize as it occurs in stereo systems? When I read many Brit reviews a lot of attention goes to “rhythm” and “timing” and it’s useless to me and I just don’t get it. If someone can give me a concrete example of what the hell I’m not getting I’d sincerely be most appreciative. To be clear, enough people I greatly respect consider it a thing so objectively speaking it’s either something I can’t hear or maybe just don’t care about — or both. Can someone finally define this “thing” for me cause I seriously wanna learn something I clearly don’t know or understand.
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Prat encompasses the full energy in the music or instrument to begin with. It’s the natural energy, like plucking a high end guitar versus a cheap one. The high end guitar will give off more prat, and allow more expression. Getting prat in playback is aligning that energy of the recording and performance with the playback system. The term dynamics is not clear enough - some hardware can make "fake" dynamics where everything sounds sharper or transients are more intense, but it may have nothing to do with what’s really in the recording. Power conditioners are a good example of this. Prat can change throughout a song or within a mix. Not all recordings have much prat to begin with. Most people dont understand what Prat sounds like until you get into really high end, transparent systems. Even then, million dollar systems often don’t have it. They can be loud, shouty, "dynamic", but they aren't representing the energy of the music at each step of the song, as the performance evolves. |
@clustrocasual No offense, but none of this makes any sense to me whatsoever. Define what the “natural energy” is in a recording to me because it means nothing and is completely nebulous. Also, what are “fake dynamics” and who are you to determine what’s fake if you didn’t make the recording? And how can PRaT change throughout a song??? Honestly this sounds like utter jibberish to me, but whatever floats your boat. |
@clustrocasual Yes, I apparently and admittedly don’t get it. I’ve played drums in bands for decades and wrote professional reviews of high-end audio equipment for 17 years for the Soundstage network. Do tell, what is your system and what’s your experience in high-end audio other than you just know it when you hear it? I can tell just by the words and phrases you use that you have no idea what you’re talking about and have little experience in playing music or high-end audio. Please regale us with your system and expertise. |
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