Thanks to both of you... I understand those examples.
 
How about this? Even though combining signals that have been phase shifted, and combining signals that have flipped polarity may both result in comb filtering there is no relation between phase shift and flipped polarity.
 
Inferring a relationship between the two circumstances because they both can result in comb filtering is a logical fallacy.
 
Now, which "fallacy" is that? 

mike_mccue
 
Inferring a relationship between the two circumstances because they both can result in comb filtering is a logical fallacy.
 
Now, which "fallacy" is that? 

I'm not sure, but once we figure it out we can move on to which fallacy is inferring that just because two things aren't the same means they aren't related in any way. 

 
A guitarist has a phaser.
 
As does Mr Spock.
 
A photographist has a polariser.
 
And never Mark Twain will meet.
 
HTH.
 
"Helpful" thang please.

Being bipolar is considered a handicap, and you can take drugs for it. Being out of phase is just something we senior citizens have to learn to accept.

drewfx1

mike_mccue
 
Inferring a relationship between the two circumstances because they both can result in comb filtering is a logical fallacy.
 
Now, which "fallacy" is that? 

I'm not sure, but once we figure it out we can move on to which fallacy is inferring that just because two things aren't the same means they aren't related in any way. 

I think I made the mistake of concluding that just because someone is really really smart that they may be somewhat helpful. :-P
 
But seriously, if you have some more insights about the relationship between polarity and phase I'd like to continue learning how to think about it.
 
Here's what happened to cause my asking a question here: I posted a question at another site about choosing polarity for constituent tracks in drum mic mixes. I was asking if people make adjustments to match the polarity of their kick drum signal (which is usually recorded as a "bottom") with the signals, such as a snare, that are most often time recorded from the "top", and if they do match polarity do they opt for a "push" or a "pull". I generally match polarity and I opt for a "push" which is to say that I match the "top" mics to the kick mic.
 
The answers to my question seemed to devolve into a discourse of opinions about time alignment.
 
I reminded people that I was simply asking about polarity but they continue to be preoccupied with offering ideas about timing issues.
 
As I was reading refreshers on the subject of polarity and phase I realized that I had an area of perceived understanding that I was glossing over and not really thinking clearly about.
 
Hence I addressed two of the smart guys I know in the hopes that we could discuss some ideas in a way that encouraged a more complete understanding.
 
I think the comment I just quoted is pertinent to the context of the original question, but regarding the comment hasn't seemed to help me understand any more than I think I did before I asked the original question.
 
I'm leaning towards the idea that the only thing time alignment and polarity flipping have in common is the potential to elicit comb filtering, but as often happens to me when I start focusing on one idea, I may be missing something obvious that I shouldn't be ignoring.
 
 
 
 
 

maybe it's partly due to the umlaut, and my Germanic heritage but to me this Bapü makes more sense than the other 5 or 6 on the forum

bitflipper
Being bipolar is considered a handicap, and you can take drugs for it. Being out of phase is just something we senior citizens have to learn to accept.

I'm wishing I had remembered to reach out to Bill a.k.a. wst3 in the title of my original post.
 
:-)

Gee, sorry I couldn't be more help. 

This is how I would tie it together:
 
When you have two different signals and invert the polarity of one of them, you change the phase relationship between the two signals.

Thanks! That is very helpful.
 
How about if it is two instances of the very same signal? Do you also change the phase relationship when you flip one of the signals polarity, or is that considered some sort of special case?