Saturday, July 17, 2010
Gibson tapes are fake.
I don't pay much attention to celebrity stories, but this is the rare instance where a celebrity story strays into my range of expertise and interest.
On those tapes of Mel Gibson shouting, the two sides of the conversation are entirely separate. Gibson's voice is overmodulated and accompanied by cellphone noise, while the Russki honeytrap's voice is perfectly clear, studio quality, never interrupted by Mel's heavy breathing.
There's no way to record a conversation with that much distinction between the sides. No matter what technique you use (inductive coupling, radio monitor or just speakerphone with separate audio recorder) Mel's side will always be 'present' to some degree. You'll hear static and rustling at the very least. The main problem is that he's obviously too drunk and pissed off to stay politely silent during each of the intervals when Honeytrap is speaking. When you're roaring and panting in frustrated rage, you aren't going to pause 1/2 second before the other party talks and resume 1/2 second after she's finished.
It's all too neat.
These tapes are edited. And this is a fairly expert opinion; I spent 20 years working with sound, including lots of digital editing and analysis. I know the difference between raw and processed sound.
= = = = =
Less technically, my sympathy is mainly with Gibson here, with one big exception. A man with so much money and controversy must know that he's a prime target for blackmailers and honeytraps. He can afford to hire a detective and a 'yenta' to check out his women thoroughly beforehand. Or he could stick with high-class escorts. (I've never been rich enough to hire a high-class prostitute but I've known a few of them, back when I was working motel night auditor jobs. I'd trust a high-class pro far more than I'd trust any other female. In an unlicensed and semi-legal profession, reputation counts and they know it.) ¶ 7:45 AM
On those tapes of Mel Gibson shouting, the two sides of the conversation are entirely separate. Gibson's voice is overmodulated and accompanied by cellphone noise, while the Russki honeytrap's voice is perfectly clear, studio quality, never interrupted by Mel's heavy breathing.
There's no way to record a conversation with that much distinction between the sides. No matter what technique you use (inductive coupling, radio monitor or just speakerphone with separate audio recorder) Mel's side will always be 'present' to some degree. You'll hear static and rustling at the very least. The main problem is that he's obviously too drunk and pissed off to stay politely silent during each of the intervals when Honeytrap is speaking. When you're roaring and panting in frustrated rage, you aren't going to pause 1/2 second before the other party talks and resume 1/2 second after she's finished.
It's all too neat.
These tapes are edited. And this is a fairly expert opinion; I spent 20 years working with sound, including lots of digital editing and analysis. I know the difference between raw and processed sound.
= = = = =
Less technically, my sympathy is mainly with Gibson here, with one big exception. A man with so much money and controversy must know that he's a prime target for blackmailers and honeytraps. He can afford to hire a detective and a 'yenta' to check out his women thoroughly beforehand. Or he could stick with high-class escorts. (I've never been rich enough to hire a high-class prostitute but I've known a few of them, back when I was working motel night auditor jobs. I'd trust a high-class pro far more than I'd trust any other female. In an unlicensed and semi-legal profession, reputation counts and they know it.) ¶ 7:45 AM
