Difference between real and “fake” binaural recordings
There are two types of dummy head recordings. “Real” one is made by using binaural microphone as you can see on the photos below.
“Fake” or rather simulated binaural recording is audio that was recorded on regular microphone and then processed by using HRTF algorithm.
Generally speaking, usage of binaural microphone practically always gives way better results. Even usage of really cheap binaural microphone will give you better recording than HRTF algorithm.
Difference between Dummy Head microphone vs other binaural microphones
Binaural microphones are all microphones that record binaural audio.
Dummy head microphones are binaural microphones that specifically have head shape like KU 100 that you can see below.
3Dio binaural microphone
Neumann KU 100 Dummy Head microphone
As you might guess, dummy head microphones replicate sound better. That’s because sound can naturally bounce off human head shape. For example dummy head slightly blocks sounds if you stand and speak behind it and at the same time sound is way clearer if you stand in front of it. This is something that binaural microphone without dummy head can do too, but difference between front and back won’t be that distinct.
About KU 100
KU100 or rather Neumann KU 100 is pretty pricy (~10000USD) binaural microphone which produces crazy good recordings when paired with people that actually know some stuff about audio recording. You can see its name in a lot of doujin works on DLsite.
It’s the best professional microphone for Drama CDs recording.
General recording quality
There is way more aspects for good recording than usage of KU 100. For example audio processing, sound direction and VAs experience also play a big role. Experienced person can make cheaper binaural microphone sound amazing and inexperienced person can make KU 100 sound like shit.
From my experience though, people producing doujins and using KU 100 are either good at what they’re doing or just KU 100 is such an upgrade from other binaural microphones.
KU 100 always sounds, at least for me, really warm in comparison to doujins/CDs that don’t use this microphone.
