Svonsky,
Absolute Dynamics
In absolute loudness, a single trombone reaches a maximum level which is circa 10 dB SPL higher then a clarinet. In general, all instruments of the brass family reach a higher loudness then the woodwind instruments. Indicating fff for a clarinet is not practise, respectively a nonsense.
Brass can be indicated fff, and the maximum indication for wooddwinds is ff. So if you want to have brass and woodwind in equal loudness, then the brass has to cut back one dynamic level to ff, or even less, but that would be relative dynamics.
There is an difference between absolute and relative dynamics. Absolute dynamic is the loudest and softest sound an instrument can produce at any register. Relative dynamic is the act of balancing the orchestration. For example, a brass at ff is maybee still too loud compared to a woodwind at ff, but you won’t change the indications of the brass, but have the brass match the right balance.
Every instrument has some relative dynamic control in every register. However, some instruments in particular registers can not achieve certain absolute dynamics. A group of brass playing in their high registers can never be very soft. A low flute can never be extremely loud. The indications fff is for percussion and brass only. Of course all dynamic indications within an composition and performance are relative. Knowing absolute level will not help you to mix the music in the box.
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I'm somewhere within this levels when mixing wide range material:
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~physe1b/OHP/12a/vis13a8.gif">
Where a fff tutti would reach 105 dB SPL and a pppp would go below the ppp. Don't tell anyone.
Picture link:
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~physe1b/OHP/12a/vis13a8.gif
.
Absolute Dynamics
In absolute loudness, a single trombone reaches a maximum level which is circa 10 dB SPL higher then a clarinet. In general, all instruments of the brass family reach a higher loudness then the woodwind instruments. Indicating fff for a clarinet is not practise, respectively a nonsense.
Brass can be indicated fff, and the maximum indication for wooddwinds is ff. So if you want to have brass and woodwind in equal loudness, then the brass has to cut back one dynamic level to ff, or even less, but that would be relative dynamics.
There is an difference between absolute and relative dynamics. Absolute dynamic is the loudest and softest sound an instrument can produce at any register. Relative dynamic is the act of balancing the orchestration. For example, a brass at ff is maybee still too loud compared to a woodwind at ff, but you won’t change the indications of the brass, but have the brass match the right balance.
Every instrument has some relative dynamic control in every register. However, some instruments in particular registers can not achieve certain absolute dynamics. A group of brass playing in their high registers can never be very soft. A low flute can never be extremely loud. The indications fff is for percussion and brass only. Of course all dynamic indications within an composition and performance are relative. Knowing absolute level will not help you to mix the music in the box.
____________________________________________________________________
I'm somewhere within this levels when mixing wide range material:
![http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~physe1b/OHP/12a/vis13a8.gif <a href=](http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~physe1b/OHP/12a/vis13a8.gif)
Where a fff tutti would reach 105 dB SPL and a pppp would go below the ppp. Don't tell anyone.
Picture link:
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~physe1b/OHP/12a/vis13a8.gif
.