If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]

This isn't a panning problem. It's a movement and stereo imaging problem. So many of the comments below talk about panning but I feel that it might be getting confusing. There has been so much interest in this video that I will follow it up, soon hopefully. UPDATE - Followup available here - https://youtu.be/EdDnAnSPQpg

I am not an audiophile, just a music enthusiast. I didn't hear anything wrong and just enjoyed the music.

I once heard it described this way: Normal ppl use audio equipment to listen to music. The audiophile uses music to listen to audio equipment.

Classically-trained musician here. I heard it, but didn't realize that's what you were talking about. IMO, not only is there nothing wrong with it, but that's the best way to capture this performance: get all of the individual idiosyncrasies that the musician brings to it. That's what makes it a performance, not just the sterile perfection of running sheet music through MIDI. What that recordist captured is unique in the universe. Even with the same orchestra and solost, there will never, ever be another performance just like it.

There is no problem. I hate when audiophiles want a lifeless recording where everything is 100% perfect, without change, without movement. "Non perfect" things is what gives life to music. Stop asking music to be 100% perfectly recorded.

Hi! i was the assistant engineer on this recording. Not all of the mics were used, the orchestra for example is purely our A/B and ORTF main mics combined with the room mics and some spots for the woodwinds and Double basses. For Roeland we used only the stereo mics but not hard-panned, more something like 20%. Personally i like the slight movement. Oh and to comment about the Bricasti, it didn't do all that much, just enhances the natural acoustics of the hall. Lastly, the speakers are Dynaudio BM6a's, OK speakers for on the move and to give a general impression. Our main monitoring is usually a Grace M900 paired with some headphones we know well. The speakers are just there in case a lot of people want to come and listen and to make the recording session less of a headphone-only session. The room we were in (one of the changing rooms) was certainly not ideal for speaker-based monitoring. Thank you for the interesting video and feel free to ask me any questions regarding the recording, i'll do my best to answer!

- How can you tell someone is an audiophile? - He'll tell you himself.

I heard the clarinet moving left, right, and center throughout the piece, but I wasn't aware that it wasn't supposed to be doing that. I considered it to be either the clarinetist changing direction/dispersion in their performance, the acoustics of the performance hall, and/or the sound engineer's efforts to create a wider soundstage by encompassing the entirety of the accompanying orchestra. I was more focused on any lack of clarity at various frequency ranges mixing/overlapping and/or the mids and high frequencies clipping. Thank you for expanding my understanding of what an audiophile is; it's not just about the quality of the sound, but also the fundamentals of how these sounds are created. BTW - I found it to be enjoyable nonetheless.

I really enjoy your videos. You are very knowledgeable about music production and at the same time very engaging. I am not an audiophile, but did hear the wandering clarinet after you pointed it out. I loved the piece and the excellent recording. Thanks.

I'm not an audiophile, and I did hear the variation you pointed out but, I would never have thought it to be "something wrong."

As a producer who has worked for majors, "Audiophile" beliefs and their gear are one of the top comedy topics we engage in.

I am happy that I can appreciate music in all forms.

I feel so much smarter having watched this. What a great video. Subscribed!

I actually love the panning, cause I could feel him dancing with the melody right in my ears. Definitely a taste difference!

This «problem» you described, is what makes the recording unique and give it life i think. Perfection is sometimes rigid and boring.

Not liking audiophiles while acting exactly like the annoying ones and not realizing it is crazy

This vid saved me so much money! Thank you for that, highly appreciated.

I didn't realize it was the "mistake". I perform and hear lots of classical music, so I'm used to Instruments (especially in solo parts) being moved as a physical expression. In my opinion this movement and the resulting shifts in the stereo field are important and a part of the performance. (if its not hard panned)

I loved the stereo wandering of the clarinet. It adds a new dynamic that really pulls the melody out of the rest of the harmony without being "in your face" about it. Subtle and beautiful. By not recognising what was going on, it doesn't mean you didn't experience and appreciate it - the beauty of this piece lies in the subtlety of the effect. Great stuff.

Perfection is the perfect portrayal of reality. Therefore the recording is "perfect." No adjustments are necessary.