SQ - Is it subjective?
sound engineers??? Flags up 
Engineers operate, maintain, and improve the equipment used to generate, record, alter, and reproduce sound. In music, it is the artist that determines what the track will sound like. Any engineer knows that an anechoic chamber is the optimal recording space, but if the artist is looking for a garage sound, or a hall sound, it's the engineer's job to make it sound that way. The quality of the recording equipment on it's own will colour the sound. An accurate reproduction should sound like you are there, in the room while the music is being recorded. A judges job is to determine how closely your equipment resembles the original recording, hence why you use the exact same disc for each and every competitor. Whether you're a judge or an engineer, it is simply not feasable for any number of people to be at every single recording session to hear exactly what it sounds like at ground zero. The only possible way i can see sq getting less subjective is if someone figures out how to implement speach recognition technology to read the original recording and compare it to what is heard via a mic in the car
Engineers operate, maintain, and improve the equipment used to generate, record, alter, and reproduce sound. In music, it is the artist that determines what the track will sound like. Any engineer knows that an anechoic chamber is the optimal recording space, but if the artist is looking for a garage sound, or a hall sound, it's the engineer's job to make it sound that way. The quality of the recording equipment on it's own will colour the sound. An accurate reproduction should sound like you are there, in the room while the music is being recorded. A judges job is to determine how closely your equipment resembles the original recording, hence why you use the exact same disc for each and every competitor. Whether you're a judge or an engineer, it is simply not feasable for any number of people to be at every single recording session to hear exactly what it sounds like at ground zero. The only possible way i can see sq getting less subjective is if someone figures out how to implement speach recognition technology to read the original recording and compare it to what is heard via a mic in the car
Administrator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 16,860
Do you compete or have you competed?
If you consider an IASCA scoresheet and the IASCA CD with liner notes, they pretty much spell out what to listen for and where it should be. These are the guidelines around which a SQ judge operates.
Of course the degree to which that judge feels your car complies with the guidelines is where argument comes in. This stands to reason as, after all is said and done, SQ is largely subjective.
If you consider an IASCA scoresheet and the IASCA CD with liner notes, they pretty much spell out what to listen for and where it should be. These are the guidelines around which a SQ judge operates.
Of course the degree to which that judge feels your car complies with the guidelines is where argument comes in. This stands to reason as, after all is said and done, SQ is largely subjective.
Yankee
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
I would go so far as to say all car, horse, dog, baseball, football, events have a subjective judge element to them and somehow that works...
I think having a judge working under clearly defined rules is acceptable but if your going to get your panties in a wad if you don't win (SQ, SPL, football, chess) don't do it.
I think having a judge working under clearly defined rules is acceptable but if your going to get your panties in a wad if you don't win (SQ, SPL, football, chess) don't do it.
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 35
Do you compete or have you competed?
If you consider an IASCA scoresheet and the IASCA CD with liner notes, they pretty much spell out what to listen for and where it should be. These are the guidelines around which a SQ judge operates.
Of course the degree to which that judge feels your car complies with the guidelines is where argument comes in. This stands to reason as, after all is said and done, SQ is largely subjective.
If you consider an IASCA scoresheet and the IASCA CD with liner notes, they pretty much spell out what to listen for and where it should be. These are the guidelines around which a SQ judge operates.
Of course the degree to which that judge feels your car complies with the guidelines is where argument comes in. This stands to reason as, after all is said and done, SQ is largely subjective.
But for the record, no, I have not competed and don't plan on doing so. I've attended a few shows with friends who do compete and realized it's not for me. I like the matter of fact-ness(nice made up word there) of SPL comps, nobody can argue with the TL, it is what it is. If SQ comps could ever progress to that point then I'd be down to hit up the lanes but as it is now I just don't like the idea of numerous judges from numerous shows giving thier input on the deficiencies of my system because each one will have thier own bias/prejudice and inconsistencies so I'd rather leave the judging of how good my system sounds to me!
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 35
I would go so far as to say all car, horse, dog, baseball, football, events have a subjective judge element to them and somehow that works...
I think having a judge working under clearly defined rules is acceptable but if your going to get your panties in a wad if you don't win (SQ, SPL, football, chess) don't do it.
I think having a judge working under clearly defined rules is acceptable but if your going to get your panties in a wad if you don't win (SQ, SPL, football, chess) don't do it.
Yankee
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
^ and I think that solidifies an unstated point, even though it is competition it is supposed to be fun. That gets lost too often, I think there is fun to be had doing SQ competition but not everyone wants that to be a competitive portion of their life. I think my issue in competition is this is car audio and in the scheme of things does not affect your worth as a human (it wont make you a better or worse citizen). Sometimes SQ and SPL competitors take things too seriously and feeling get hurt, and then the unjustified allegations come out. That really bothers me as I run a good show, I pay my judges a lot so they are expected to perform at a high level, and I have a rulebook that like it or not I must follow.
Every sanctioning body has its own set of rules (and that is an item of contention for some) but these rules are unique and copyrighted. That doesn't mean they aren't similar, and that doesn't mean IASCA is wrong or USACi is right, they are different thats all (I don't talk about the one I work for as there is no MECA in Canada at this time).
Every sanctioning body has its own set of rules (and that is an item of contention for some) but these rules are unique and copyrighted. That doesn't mean they aren't similar, and that doesn't mean IASCA is wrong or USACi is right, they are different thats all (I don't talk about the one I work for as there is no MECA in Canada at this time).
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 35
Fun, rules, expectations, copyright, right or wrong, all that stuff is beyond the point, which is that SQ is subjective. That's not a knock to the sanctioning bodies, any of their employees or competitors. It's just what it is!
