Musicality what is it?

[Markus S]

I'm afraid I can't spare the time to answer this question. I'm busy checking whether there's any, erm, musicality to find on the internet.

 

[Purite Audio]

I liked it Markus! ( your quote ,not pornography,although I may like that too,if I recognised. it)
vb Keith

 

[Basil]

I'm afraid I can't spare the time to answer this question. I'm busy checking whether there's any, erm, musicality to find on the internet.

Let me help, try here:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/

Or a little more specifically, here http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio3/bal/bal_20101211-1015a.mp3

 

[YNMOAN]

It's as I thought the last resort of the charlatan,

That's more than a bit strong and not very accurate in my opinion. Charlatans come in many guises and with many spiels. I'm not keen on the term 'musical' to describe the sound of hi-fi - I don't think its use defines a charlatan though.

 

[Purite Audio]

That is my experience,it is not a word I would ever use, unless we. were planing a musical extravaganza of course!
Vb Keith.

 

[YNMOAN]

Fair enough - you can only report as you have found .

 

[ditton]

let me try once more.

Whilst I would argue that describing or attributing qualities such as 'musicality' to a piece of kit - or perhaps to a complete set-up - is akin to being anthropomorphic, the appreciation of music performance (live, accoustic or with amplification, and especially recorded and replayed/re-created) is sensual, and as with much to do with satisfaction. Objective measurement and statement about user satisfaction is hard - especially if there is some interest in the 'truth value' of the underlying reason for satisfaction [hype or reality].

As for PRAT, I confess to having misread that as 'presence, rhythm and timing' but those are qualities that I am trying to re-create with the system I have. As as a punter (not a professional in either the music performance/recording or hifi manufacture/install businesses surely there must be some recourse to common language which relates to the qualities of music and performance?

some comments read as somewhat of a put-down, verging on the patronising.

when I go and listen to music being played in front of me - in many cases these are instuments being played without amplification, is all a matter of subjective perception? If so, what language would be admissible?

When amplification is used, when recording is made, and when sound reproduction is attempted, a lot can be added or suppressed.

Labelling a reproduction system or component as 'life-less' or 'having musicality' is a bit twee but surely it is only attempt to comment on the added or suppressed effect of the kit - an allusion to a signal/noise ratio.