*4.2.3 Musical expressivity and creativity*

All performers who tested the BMR or the ABH stated that binaural monitoring positively impacted their musical playfulness and creative process. Whereas performers did not expand verbally on this impact, six out of the seven who used the BMR only selected takes that were recorded in the binaural conditions. Also, we observed that the takes that were recorded by the free improvisation trio with binaural monitoring lasted longer, and the clarinetist reported, "musical ideas came faster." Moreover, the guitarist of the jazz trio expressed being able to take more risks, and the world music performer reported being inspired by the binaural auditory space to build his composition in the studio. In contrast, whereas Maestro Petitgirard perceived the BHT as very pleasing, he said that the monitoring condition should not have impacted his way of performing as he had drawn wellestablished habits over years of conducting experience.

The free improvisers who used the BMR and all performers who used the ABH expressed that they performed more intimately in binaural conditions. For instance, the free improvisers noticed that they performed the only soft improvisation with many subtleties while monitoring in binaural. Similarly, the pianist who played an electroacoustic piece said that binaural monitoring facilitated a more sensitive performance. Moreover, synchronization cues were more easily perceived in the binaural condition. Indeed, the singer-songwriter who tested the ABH noted that keeping tempo was easier, and the drummer who used the BMR reported that there was better bass/drums cohesion in the binaural condition, which led to more swing.
