

Maybe you were like us and wondered what that strange mannequin head was doing staring at Thom playing the piano in the April 22 update over at Dead Air Space. Jason M. wrote in to explain what this is and we thought we would pass it on to you.

Have you seen the mannequin head that Radiohead has in the studio?

It’s specifically in the DEAD AIR SPACE photo from Sun, Apr 22nd titled “Over your shoulder…”

It’s actually a rarely used form of recording technology called “Binaural Recording”.

Microphones are built into a fake head made of material that mimics how soundwaves pass through the human body.

The two main openings, the ear canals, create an exact replication of how humans hear the sounds in real life.

Basically, on the new album, you’ll be hearing some of the tracks, mainly piano, as if Thom was playing it in the same room as you.

Should be very interesting.

Here’s the wikipedia article for more information.