{"id":45365,"date":"2025-07-20T11:59:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T11:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/idea.membrane.com\/songwriter\/?p=45365"},"modified":"2025-07-20T11:59:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T11:59:12","slug":"soak-up-the-atmosphere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/2025\/07\/20\/soak-up-the-atmosphere\/","title":{"rendered":"Soak Up the Atmosphere"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/kingarthur.com\/MegaEpix-Enormous\/multimedia\/XV\/Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere-Best-Of.mp3\">Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere-Best-Of.mp3<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/kingarthur.com\/MegaEpix-Enormous\/multimedia\/XV\/Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere-Best-Of.mp4\">Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere-Best-Of.mp4<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/kingarthur.com\/MegaEpix-Enormous\/multimedia\/XV\/Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere.mp3\">Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere.mp3<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/kingarthur.com\/MegaEpix-Enormous\/multimedia\/XV\/Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere.mp4\">Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere.mp4<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/kingarthur.com\/MegaEpix-Enormous\/multimedia\/XV\/Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere-intro.mp3\">Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere-intro.mp3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[Verse 1]<br \/>\nCome on! Let&#8217;s get high<br \/>\n(Pressure for sure)<br \/>\nCause the air up there<br \/>\n(Is coming down to Earth)<\/p>\n<p>[Bridge]<br \/>\nExpanding sound<br \/>\n(All around)<\/p>\n<p>[Chorus]<br \/>\nGoldilocks temperature<br \/>\n(Into the night)<br \/>\nBlowin&#8217; rock further<br \/>\n(Into the light)<\/p>\n<p>[Bridge]<br \/>\nExpanding sound<br \/>\n(All around)<\/p>\n<p>[Verse 2]<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s not the heat<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s the humidity<br \/>\nPropagate the beat<br \/>\nTo infinity!<\/p>\n<p>[Bridge]<\/p>\n<p>[Chorus]<\/p>\n<p>[Outro]<br \/>\nExpanding sound<br \/>\n(All around)<\/p>\n<p>ABOUT THE SONG<br \/>\nToday\u2019s new release, \u201cSoak Up the Atmosphere,\u201d explores the best atmospheric conditions to listen to music&#8230; especially live music, for long distances while maintaining the highest quality sound. I try to emulate the classic outdoor concert Hammond B3 organ with a Leslie, as well as create a similar electric guitar tone of a Fender Stratocaster paired with a stack of Marshall amplifiers for that iconic arena sound. Now, to test it.<\/p>\n<p>ABOUT THE SCIENCE<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"175\" data-end=\"193\">1\ufe0f\u20e3 Temperature<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"194\" data-end=\"581\">\n<li data-start=\"194\" data-end=\"305\">\n<p data-start=\"196\" data-end=\"305\"><strong data-start=\"196\" data-end=\"210\">Cooler air<\/strong> carries sound farther than hot air because it is denser, aiding <strong data-start=\"275\" data-end=\"304\">long-distance propagation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"306\" data-end=\"439\">\n<p data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"439\">However, <strong data-start=\"317\" data-end=\"349\">too cold (below ~40\u00b0F \/ 4\u00b0C)<\/strong> may cause instruments (especially strings) to go out of tune and reduce audience comfort.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"440\" data-end=\"581\">\n<p data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"581\"><strong data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"470\">Ideal range for balance:<\/strong><br data-start=\"470\" data-end=\"473\" \/>\ud83c\udf21\ufe0f <strong data-start=\"479\" data-end=\"500\">50\u201365\u00b0F (10\u201318\u00b0C)<\/strong> for best projection while maintaining instrument stability and audience comfort.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"583\" data-end=\"586\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"588\" data-end=\"603\">2\ufe0f\u20e3 Humidity<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"604\" data-end=\"914\">\n<li data-start=\"604\" data-end=\"769\">\n<p data-start=\"606\" data-end=\"769\"><strong data-start=\"606\" data-end=\"645\">Moderate to high humidity (~50\u201380%)<\/strong> improves sound quality over distance by reducing <strong data-start=\"695\" data-end=\"724\">high-frequency absorption<\/strong>, preserving clarity in treble and harmonics.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"770\" data-end=\"859\">\n<p data-start=\"772\" data-end=\"859\">Extremely dry air absorbs more high frequencies, making music sound dull at a distance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"860\" data-end=\"914\">\n<p data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"914\"><strong data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"878\">Ideal range:<\/strong><br data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"881\" \/>\ud83d\udca7 <strong data-start=\"886\" data-end=\"914\">50\u201370% Relative Humidity<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"916\" data-end=\"919\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"932\">3\ufe0f\u20e3 Wind<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"933\" data-end=\"1224\">\n<li data-start=\"933\" data-end=\"1057\">\n<p data-start=\"935\" data-end=\"979\"><strong data-start=\"935\" data-end=\"979\">Wind direction greatly affects distance:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"983\" data-end=\"1057\">\n<li data-start=\"983\" data-end=\"1020\">\n<p data-start=\"985\" data-end=\"1020\">Sound <strong data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1019\">travels farther downwind<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1024\" data-end=\"1057\">\n<p data-start=\"1026\" data-end=\"1057\">Sound is <strong data-start=\"1035\" data-end=\"1056\">attenuated upwind<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1058\" data-end=\"1119\">\n<p data-start=\"1060\" data-end=\"1119\">Gusty, turbulent wind can scatter sound, degrading clarity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1120\" data-end=\"1224\">\n<p data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1224\"><strong data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1179\">Calm to light, consistent wind (under 5 mph \/ 8 km\/h)<\/strong> is best for consistent listening conditions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1226\" data-end=\"1229\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1231\" data-end=\"1250\">4\ufe0f\u20e3 Air Pressure<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"1251\" data-end=\"1495\">\n<li data-start=\"1251\" data-end=\"1363\">\n<p data-start=\"1253\" data-end=\"1363\"><strong data-start=\"1253\" data-end=\"1325\">Higher air pressure (typical of clear weather) increases air density<\/strong>, aiding in better sound transmission.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1364\" data-end=\"1495\">\n<p data-start=\"1366\" data-end=\"1495\">Low-pressure systems may be associated with higher humidity (which helps), but wind and weather may degrade practical conditions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1497\" data-end=\"1500\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1502\" data-end=\"1541\">5\ufe0f\u20e3 Time of Day &amp; Thermal Inversions<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1867\">\n<li data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1759\">\n<p data-start=\"1544\" data-end=\"1759\"><strong data-start=\"1544\" data-end=\"1576\">Nighttime and early mornings<\/strong> often have <strong data-start=\"1588\" data-end=\"1653\">temperature inversions (cooler near the ground, warmer above)<\/strong>, which <strong data-start=\"1661\" data-end=\"1704\">bend sound waves back toward the ground<\/strong>, enabling sound to carry much farther and more evenly.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1760\" data-end=\"1867\">\n<p data-start=\"1762\" data-end=\"1867\">Midday, with heat rising from the ground, tends to scatter and dissipate sound upward, reducing distance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1869\" data-end=\"1872\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1874\" data-end=\"1897\">6\ufe0f\u20e3 Background Noise<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1991\">\n<li data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1991\">\n<p data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"1991\">Quieter surroundings improve perceived sound quality regardless of the physical projection.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1993\" data-end=\"1996\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1998\" data-end=\"2015\">Summary Table:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"_tableContainer_80l1q_1\">\n<div class=\"_tableWrapper_80l1q_14 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2318\">\n<thead data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2050\">\n<tr data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2050\">\n<th data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2026\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Factor<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"2026\" data-end=\"2050\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Ideal for Live Music<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"2086\" data-end=\"2318\">\n<tr data-start=\"2086\" data-end=\"2125\">\n<td data-start=\"2086\" data-end=\"2104\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"2088\" data-end=\"2103\">Temperature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2104\" data-end=\"2125\">50\u201365\u00b0F (10\u201318\u00b0C)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2126\" data-end=\"2154\">\n<td data-start=\"2126\" data-end=\"2141\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"2128\" data-end=\"2140\">Humidity<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2154\">50\u201370% RH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2155\" data-end=\"2205\">\n<td data-start=\"2155\" data-end=\"2166\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"2157\" data-end=\"2165\">Wind<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2166\" data-end=\"2205\">Calm, consistent, or light downwind<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2206\" data-end=\"2243\">\n<td data-start=\"2206\" data-end=\"2225\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"2208\" data-end=\"2224\">Air Pressure<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2225\" data-end=\"2243\">Normal to high<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2244\" data-end=\"2287\">\n<td data-start=\"2244\" data-end=\"2262\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"2246\" data-end=\"2261\">Time of Day<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2262\" data-end=\"2287\">Night \/ early morning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2288\" data-end=\"2318\">\n<td data-start=\"2288\" data-end=\"2311\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"2290\" data-end=\"2310\">Background Noise<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2311\" data-end=\"2318\">Low<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"sticky end-(--thread-content-margin) h-0 self-end select-none\">\n<div class=\"absolute end-0 flex items-end\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr data-start=\"2320\" data-end=\"2323\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2325\" data-end=\"2361\">Additional Audio Characteristics:<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2362\" data-end=\"2733\">\u2705 <strong data-start=\"2364\" data-end=\"2377\">Crispness<\/strong> preserved by higher humidity and stable temperature.<br data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2433\" \/>\u2705 <strong data-start=\"2435\" data-end=\"2459\">Low-frequency sounds<\/strong> travel well regardless but can be enhanced by cool, humid conditions.<br data-start=\"2529\" data-end=\"2532\" \/>\u2705 <strong data-start=\"2534\" data-end=\"2559\">High-frequency sounds<\/strong> are preserved best in humid, still air.<br data-start=\"2599\" data-end=\"2602\" \/>\u2705 <strong data-start=\"2604\" data-end=\"2634\">Longer decay\/reverberation<\/strong> naturally outdoors in humid, cool conditions if reflective surfaces (buildings, trees) are nearby.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2735\" data-end=\"2738\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2740\" data-end=\"2781\">Practical Implications for Live Shows:<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2782\" data-end=\"3114\">\u2705 Outdoor concerts often <strong data-start=\"2807\" data-end=\"2852\">sound best on cool, still, humid evenings<\/strong> with consistent conditions.<br data-start=\"2880\" data-end=\"2883\" \/>\u2705 Amplification levels can be lower due to better propagation, reducing distortion.<br data-start=\"2966\" data-end=\"2969\" \/>\u2705 Musicians should still consider tuning stability as temperature drops at night.<br data-start=\"3050\" data-end=\"3053\" \/>\u2705 Placement of speakers should account for slight wind drift.<\/p>\n<h3>From the album &#8220;<a href=\"\/songwriter\/tag\/sunny-days\/\">Sunny Days<\/a>&#8220;<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere-Best-Of.mp3 Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere-Best-Of.mp4 Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere.mp3 Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere.mp4 Soak-Up-the-Atmosphere-intro.mp3 [Verse 1] Come on! Let&#8217;s get high (Pressure for sure) Cause the air up there (Is coming down to Earth) [Bridge] Expanding sound (All around) [Chorus] Goldilocks temperature (Into the night) Blowin&#8217; rock further (Into the light) [Bridge] Expanding sound (All around) [Verse 2] It&#8217;s not the heat It&#8217;s the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,9,14],"tags":[4147],"class_list":["post-45365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-4d-music","category-daniel","category-lyrics","tag-sunny-days"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45365","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45365"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45365\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45382,"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45365\/revisions\/45382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45365"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingarthur.com\/songwriter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}