2008 September, Volume 56 Number 9

CONTENTS

PAPERS

Performance Analysis of Digital Loudspeaker Arrays
Bo Rohde Pedersen, Fotios Kontomichos, and John Mourjopoulos   667
An analysis of digital loudspeaker arrays shows that the ways in which bits are mapped to the drivers influence the quality of the audio result. Specifically, a “bit-summed” rather than the traditional “bit-mapped” strategy greatly reduces the number of times drivers make binary transitions per period of the input frequency. Detailed simulations compare the results for a 32-loudspeaker array with a similar configuration with analog excitation of the drivers. Ideally, drivers in digital arrays should be very small and span a small area, but that sets limits on the low-frequency response.

Nonlinear Distortion Synthesis Using the Split-Sideband Method, with Applications to Adaptive Signal Processing
Victor Lazzarini, Joseph Timoney, and Thomas Lysaght   684
Split-sideband synthesis (SpSB)—which is related to the well-known principles of waveshaping, single-sideband modulation, and frequency modulation—offers the possibility of creating four independent sideband outputs: upper, lower, odd, and even. Novel spectra and timbres can be created by the way in which these four outputs are combined. As with similar techniques for distortion synthesis, an SpSB process is controlled by the modulator and carrier frequencies as well as the modulation index. The technique can also be used as an adaptive effect applied to arbitrary monophonic signals. A number of sound samples illustrate the technique.

Electrical Equivalent Circuit Model for Dynamic Moving-Coil Transducers Incorporating a Semi-Inductor
Knud Thorborg and Andrew D. Unruh   696
The conventional model of a dynamic moving-coil loudspeaker is improved by incorporating a semi-inductor that results from eddy currents and skin effect in the pole pieces. Highly conductive metals such as aluminum, copper, or silver concentric to the voice coil can be treated as a one-turn secondary in a transformer with the primary of the voice coil. This new model produces more accuracy, as illustrated in a simulation of sound pressure frequency response of a woofer in an enclosure. The model is relevant to all electrodynamic transducers.

System for Automatic Singing Voice Recognition
Pawel Zwan and Bozena Kostek   710
A neural network was trained and tested to provide automated classification of singing voices, both recognizing voice quality (amateur, semiprofessional, and professional) and voice type (bass, baritone, tenor, alto, mezzo-soprano, and soprano). Parameters related to singing were defined to form feature vectors. Single vowel samples for each singer were judged by six experts to establish a quality index. In a test based on a database of 2690 samples, 90% of the decisions were correct. These results show that it is possible to use neural networks to create an expert system to evaluate singing.

STANDARDS AND INFORMATION DOCUMENTS

AES Standards Committee News   724
Document maintenance; audio networks; digital audio interface; digital audio sampling frequencies; transfer technologies; digital library and archive systems; forensic audio; acoustics and sound-source modeling; loudspeaker modeling and measurement; microphone measurements; audio connectors; grounding and EMC practices

FEATURES

33rd Conference Report, Denver   728
The Future of Home Audio   Francis Rumsey   740
126th Convention, Munich, Call for Papers   757
36th Conference, Dearborn, Call for Papers   758
37th Conference, Denmark, Call for Papers   759

DEPARTMENTS

News of the Sections   744
Sound Track   748
New Products and Developments   750
Available Literature   751
Upcoming Meetings   752
Membership Information   753
Advertiser Internet Directory   755
In Memoriam   756
Sections Contacts Directory   760
AES Conventions and Conferences   768

FPO For the cover:

2008 September, Volume 56 Number 9

spine: 2008 September, Volume 56 Number 9