In order to adequately capture the impressive magnitude of the liftoff,
Mr. Katz and Co-Engineer Andy Deganahl used two DPA 4041 microphones for
their large dynamic range, two Sennheiser MKH-30 microphones, and two
independent hard disc recorders. This recording is the latest of many
previous shuttle launch recordings made by NASA employees, but the first
to employ Mr. Katz's expertise. It is also the first surround recording
of a Space Shuttle launch.
Mr. Katz analyzed the high fidelity recording of the liftoff with SpectraFoo
Complete, Metric Halo's Visual Audio Metering System. His results can
be seen at the Digital Domain website, http://www.digido.com/shuttle.html.
The analysis program was used because of its ability to display the intense
low-level energy created by the rockets both in Peak Level and in a time-based
"storyline." "The Spectragram forms a literal visual picture of a complex
sonic event and helps to set it in order to someone even before you play
them a sound," said Mr. Katz.
A professional journalist who was covering the launch for a major television
network commented on the visual displays created by SpectraFoo, remarking
that it was "totally, utterly cool!"
"Foo's Spectragram gives a unique timeline picture of the intensity of
the frequencies of the space shot over time," Mr. Katz went on to explain.
"You can actually see the countdown, followed by the audience applause,
then the first rumble, and the spectrum of the spikes of the cavitation
pops and crackles of the rocket, superimposed on the extraordinary Doppler
waves as the rocket approaches and then recedes at greater than the speed
of sound, all also superimposed on a low rumble in the 8 to 32 Hz region!
Remarkable to hear, almost impossible to reproduce cleanly, and great
to see and verify."
"The same is true for SpectraFoo's cumulative peak FFT generated in real
time, showing the maximum levels generated by the blast at any frequency,
which I also calibrated to the actual SPL numbers, so the graph is actually
peak SPL versus frequency. Since SpectraFoo's peak and RMS meters can
be calibrated for SPL, the total impact of the shuttle liftoff can be
quantified instantly graphically."
The Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off at 6:42 AM (EST) on Thursday, March
8, to complete several tasks for STS-102, the eighth mission related to
the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). The temperature
at liftoff was 44° F under clear skies. Winds were light and variable
from the west at 9 knots, and relative humidity was 68%. This is the 29th
mission Discovery has flown, and the 103rd shuttle flight in the program.
STS-102's main objectives are the Expedition I/II crew exchange, and the
delivery of the Italian-built pressurized multi-purpose logistics module
(MPLM), named Leonardo. Expedition Two begins its mission and relieves
the three American and Russian crewmembers from their four month assignment
aboard the ISS. Shuttle Discovery is expected to return to Kennedy Space
Center on Tuesday, March 20th, at approximately 2:02 a.m. Details about
the mission are online at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov.
Bob Katz has recorded or mastered three Grammy-winning albums, and is
a generally recognized expert in the field of professional audio. Over
the course of his 28 year career, Mr. Katz has made significant contributions
to the audio industry, both in theory and practice. More information on
the work of Bob Katz can be found at http://www.digido.com.
Based in Castle Point, New York, Metric Halo provides the world with high-resolution
metering, analysis, and processing solutions with award winning software
and hardware. As a proven industry leader, Metric Halo has developed a
product line so powerful and versatile, its applications range from live
sound reinforcement, CD/DVD mixing and mastering, film and broadcast production
to forensic science, airline safety investigation, medical research, and
designing the next generation Ferrari and BMW automobiles.
Source: Metric Halo
Web: www.metrichalo.com
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