My list of 10 worst mistakes in Audio (some of which are pet peeves) J. D. (jj) Johnston Neural Audio Kirkland, Wa, USA

#10 Applying tube circuit design to transistors – Yes, its over and done with. Thankfully. #9 Magnitude (frequency) Response Without phase, amazing things can slide by.

#8 Signal to Noise Ratio – That includes THD, IMD, TIM … – A message weight – No, its not for music! #7 Making an audio demonstration in a paper, workshop, or tutorial session at any conference, anywhere.

#6 well never understand – When I started in audio, I heard this over and over. – Its not true, either. – Understanding has often been waiting in the wings from the IEEE or ASA for years before it arrives in the audio community. Nobody understands how the ear works – Yes, its hard to understand, but we do have a good idea – Giving up doesnt help anyone. #5 Giving people a pan pot – Not telling them how it works – Not explaining how the ear hears it – Not including time delay – Worrying about mono compatibility any time after 1990

#4 Pointing out that in blind testing, slightly louder is perceived as better – Its a fact. – It doesnt justify a loudness race #3 Forgetting that digital designs must include analog sometime – Grounding – Noise – All manner of digital techniques that dont work in analog audio I wont even mention computers. Oh. I did.

#2 Trying to apply analog processing to digital systems – Distortion works differently – Filters work differently – Noise methods are different – Resolution issues are different – Its never going to work!!!!

#1 Letting anyone find out just how low you could turn the bit rate in a perceptual coder and still get something remotely approximating music. – Do I really need to explain this one? – Do you really think anyone could have stopped them?

The Takeaways New things come along. Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated You dont want something new every time you have a new problem! Enthusiasm for the new does not excuse excess.