What is the impact of applause on a performance?

Hutton’s position was that the applause track was mere noise, used for the purpose of heightening excitement in the program but not for the purpose of leaving the impression of a live performance. To me it seems difficult to say that one can use applause without leaving the impression that someone is there applauding. It is more than mere noise. True, it is used to heighten excitement, but it is a noise which is related to the spirit of the performance. Other exciting noises, like thunder or gunfire, would not serve to heighten excitement because they would be inappropriate to musical performances. 9. Rigid v. Plastic Format Summary