What has happened to the audio at Sounds Dangerous?

[All Aboard]

Although we travel to WDW extremely frequently, Sounds Dangerous is an attraction we seldomly visit (about once a year, perhaps). A couple of days ago, we decided to see it. On a busy Thanksgiving weekend, our show had 9 people in attendance.

Previously, the one entertaining thing about the show was the extremely realistic sound reproduction through the use of what I believe Disney calls "binaural technology". It was quite good.

However, on Sunday, I was getting just a mono signal in the headphones. The "sound check" at the beginning was a giveaway. You know, the one where the finger snaps, "left ear, right ear"? Well, it was right in the middle - same both sides. Midway through the show, I switched headphones with another pair, just to see if I had a bad set. Nope, same thing. All the great gags, the bees, the scissors, all fell flat because of the audio.

As the guests were leaving, they looked at each other as if to say "I don't get it."

Anyone else notice this? When did it happen? Isn't it something that should be easy to fix?

 

[VSL]

While I don't have the answer to your Q... I think that Disney should be thinking about getting rid of SD and replacing it with something more refreshing.

 

[DizBelle]

When we were there earlier in November, the sound was fine. In the sound booths outside the main show was where the "binaural technology" was used extensively. Could it be these booths you are remembering and not the main show?

 

[All Aboard]

Nope, it was the main show. That was the only appeal of it - how realistic the sounds were (are).

The booths have the same effect - and always have. That was what was disappointing about the elimination of the Monster Sound Show. They took away an interesting, informative and ever changing (dependent upon the audience volunteers) and replaced it with one big show that mimicked what was already in the booths on a smaller scale.

 

[amwhitaker]

We were there the week of November 12th, saw the show and the sound was bad for all four of us! Very disappointed 'cause it used to be so real sounding.

 

[AJKMOM]

I'm sorry to hear that because in 12 trips, we only went once, last winter. I was planning to go again in a few weeks, but maybe not.

 

[edk35]

We went on Monday of Thanksgiving week..not very crowded either and wasn't that great. I agree they need to change it.

 

[Goofy4]

No problems in October.

I have never understood why they plunge you into complete darkness for much of the time. Kids have a tough time with it.

 

[QuickGold]

Perhaps you had a bad pair of headphones

 

[All Aboard]

Perhaps you had a bad pair of headphones

Perhaps, but I tried the other pair in the tray to my left, and the pair my daughter was using. Same thing. Completely mono, the sound was centered in the middle - none of the great effect that has been there in the past.

 

[-sts-]

i havn't had any problems when i went twice this year.. i seriously hate SD. Disney should replace it with something interesting.

 

[willis37862]

We were there two weeks ago no problems. Sound was great. I still like this attraction. Though I know not many others do.

 

[Robo]

We were there two weeks ago no problems. Sound was great. I still like this attraction. Though I know not many others do.

One of my many hats is "audio recording engineer" so I like the show just fine.

Most folks don't understand that this is "theater of the mind" and it is technically a fine bit of recording.

But I suppose if you have to EXPLAIN it, its not very effective.

In Disneyland (last time I was there, anyway) they use this "binaural" headphone audio technique as the pre-show for "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln".
It is a well-done bit of theater with Lincoln visiting a young soldier in a hospital during the Civil War.
It sets up the actual Abe Lincoln on-stage presentation nicely.

Back to the OP and why the "Sounds Dangerous" audio might have been in "MONO" (same in both ears) for a number of performances...
Its quite possible that a new CM or Tech unfamiliar with how the audio mixer backstage is supposed to be set, might have "turned all the knobs to the center" (it looks "neater" that way) and that would have panned the left and right stereo channels to "Mono".

BTW, all of the headphones in the attraction USED to be Koss "Porta-Pros". They are an amazing light-weight headphone with spectacular highs and lows (I own a half-dozen or so of them.)

They are GREAT headphones for use with an iPod or other portable player (they fold for easy transport). Good gift idea (under $35).

Here's a link to see them. You won't believe how much better music can sound with BETTER headphones.
No, I don't work for Koss (or Amazon).
Its just for info... you can Google for more.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...f=pd_bbs_1/002-8357455-4444805?_encoding=UTF8


OTOH, the last time I was at SD they had changed the 'phones to a different brand that were much less impressive... ah well!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We haven't had any problems with it recently. We have noticed that the crowd levels aren't as high as they used to be so it may not be long until it is changed into something else.