Journal of the Audio Engineering Society

2010 December - Volume 58 Number 12

Editor’s Note


Editor’s Note

Authors: Vanderkooy, John

Many AES members have expressed a desire for more application-oriented papers at our conventions. After all, we have many engineers and practioners in our Society. To this end we are instituting a new presentation initiative at AES conventions, called Engineering Briefs. These are intended to be short verbal talks or poster presentations that will be of interest to AES members.

Papers


Development and Validation of an Unintrusive Model for Predicting the Sensation of Envelopment Arising from Surround Sound Recordings

Authors: George, Sunish; Zielinski, Slawomir; Rumsey, Francis; Jackson, Philip; Conetta, Robert; Dewhirst, Martin; Meares, David; Bech, Søren

An objective prediction model for the sensation of sound envelopment in five-channel reproduction is important for evaluating spatial quality. Regression analysis was used to map the listening test scores on a variety of audio sources and the objective measures extracted from the recordings themselves. By following an iterative process, a prediction model with five features was constructed. The validity of the model was tested in a second set of subjective scores and showed a correlation coefficient of 0.9. Among the five features: sound distribution and interaural cross-correlation contributed substantially to the sensation of envelopment. The model did not require access to the original audio. Scales used for listening tests were defined by audible anchors.

A method for transferring the expressive musical nuances of real recordings to a MIDI synthesized version was successfully demonstrated. Three features (dynamics, tempo, and articulation) were extracted from the recordings and then applied to the MIDI note list in order to reproduce the performer’s style. Subjective results showed that the retargeted music is very natural and sounds similar to the original performance. Statistical tests confirmed that the output correlated with the original better than with other sources. The method can successfully distinguish among different styles. A variety of applications can use this approach.

Multiactuator Panels for Wave Field Synthesis: Evolution and Present Developments

Authors: Pueo, Basilio; López, José J.; Escolano, José; Hörchens, Lars

Multiactuator panels have been used as an alternative to classical loudspeakers in wave field synthesis because of their added benefits: low-visual profile and diffuse radiation. Panels consist of a thin, stiff panel with a small back volume, which vibrates by a group of mechanical exciters. Because of their diffuse pattern and omnidirectionality, individual components of the sound pressure field merge correctly to form a larger sweet spot in the reproduction space. A comprehensive review of prototype panels in many research projects reveals the relevant issues, such as spatial aliasing, room acoustics, and finite boundaries.

Engineering reports


There are numerous techniques that can approximate the frequency and phase response of an analog filter when converted into its digital counterpart. A new transform technique was shown to be comparable or superior to traditional transform techniques. The resulting filters were closer to the ideal analog version over the full frequency range. The approach was applied successfully to the kind of filters that would be used for loudspeaker equalization.

Standards and Information Documents


AES Standards Committee News

Features


Improving Low Bit-Rate Coding

Authors: Rumsey, Francis

[Feature] Despite its mature stage of development, low bit-rate audio coding continues to be improved, both in its lossy and lossless forms. Improved matching of phase parameters can help stereo coding, and the reconstruction of high-frequency content can be enhanced without excessive system delay. Lossless coding systems have also been made more efficient and faster. When considering listener preferences, linear PCM was found to win out over MP3 for sound engineers, but there was little to choose between them among musicians.

40th Conference Report, Tokyo

129th Convention Report, San Francisco

129th Convention Exhibitors

Education News

130th Convention, London, Call for Papers

43rd Conference, Pohang, Call for Papers

Call for Nominations for the Board of Governors

Call for Awards Nominations

Index to Volume 58

Departments


Advertiser Internet Directory

News of the Sections

New Products and Developments

Membership Information

Annual Report

129th Convention Audio MP3 Order Form

129th Convention Papers Order Form

Sections Contacts Directory

AES Conventions and Conferences

Extras


Table of Contents

Cover & Sustaining Members List

AES Officers, Committees, Offices & Journal Staff

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