Auditory correlates of perceived mallet hardness for a set of recorded percussive sound events

A psychophysical investigation of timbre was undertaken with the intent of deriving quantitative results that could be useful in musical applications. Recordings of metal objects being struck with percussion mallets were rated by subjects on a unidimensional perceptual scale of perceived mallet hardness. Four acoustical parameters of the attack portion (first 325 ms) were defined and evaluated as predictors of perceived mallet hardness rating. To measure these parameters, a critical-band filter bank was employed. Two curves were extracted from the filter-bank output: (1) spectral level (log of area under spectrum) over time, and (2) spectral centroid over time. For each curve, two parameters were measured: the mean and the slope of the spectral level curve, and the mean and the time-weighted average of the spectral centroid curve. Multiple regression analysis was used to relate the perceptual ratings to these four acoustical parameters, and a good fit was achieved (multiple R-squared = 0.725, F = 1135.8, p less than 0.01). The resulting function is suitable for quantitatively predicting the perceptual dimension of perceived mallet hardness.     

Impact of aircraft sound quality combined with the repetition of aircraft flyovers on annoyance as perceived activity disturbance in a laboratory context

This study focuses on perceived activity disturbance evaluated by participants who are subjected to the repetition noise of current aircraft and modified aircraft in regard to tonal quality. A previous study devoted to the sound quality of aircraft noise revealed that one of the most important perceptive features is the emergence of Doppler shifted tones. Six 20-min sound sequences were created combining two variables: number of aircraft (N₁ with six aircraft and N₂ with 10 aircraft plus one sequence without aircraft N₀) and tonality (sequences with current aircraft, sequences with +5 dB-amplified tonality and sequences with −5 dB-attenuated tonality). For all sequences, the equivalent sound level and the peak level of the loudest event are constant, except for the sequence without aircraft. Sixty-three subjects, attending two different sequences in one session, rated on a category scale the level of activity disturbance due to the noise environment when carrying out memory and concentration tasks. The order of presentation was controlled as an additional variable in the variance analyses. The perceived activity disturbance is significantly influenced by the equivalent sound level. The influence of the number of aircraft flyovers is statistically significant at the 5% level. High tonal components have no effect on perceived disturbance. Memory and concentration performances, measured by number of incorrect or correct answers, are influenced only by the order of presentation, revealing the importance of the learning effect. Reaction time, which is influenced by the equivalent sound level, seems better adapted for measuring the effect of noise on task achievement. These results are discussed in regard to related research.     

Scattering of sound by sound in the vicinity of the liquid-vapor critical point

We report an experimental study of the scattering of sound by sound in the vicinity of the liquid-vapor critical point of carbon dioxide. We measure the amplitude of the scattered difference frequency wave generated by acoustic bulk nonlinearities. We observe that it is strongly increased in the vicinity of the critical point.     

Rendering moving sound with the doppler effect in sound space

In this report, a new rendering method of a moving sound with the Doppler effect is proposed. In the conventional rendering method of moving sound, Head Related Impulse Responses (HRIRs) are simply changed according to a sound position. However, the Doppler effect cannot be added to a sound in this method. The pitch of a sound object must be controlled using some other rendering method when a sound object moves at high speed. In our method, each HRIR is divided into two components, such as an initial delay and a main wave form. Two initial delays of both right and left ears are recalculated, respectively, based on relative speeds and a propagation path. These new initial delays are used in rendering. Therefore, the Doppler effect is added to a sound automatically only when a sound position is set in this algorithm. Details related to this algorithm are discussed in this report.     

声场中负声强探讨

本文在分析声场声能量分布的基础上,应用声线的概念,由此对声场中的负声强作出了几何解释。并根据有功声强的有旋性质,揭示了声场中产生负声强的机理。产生负声强的振源为有功声强的有旋分量。     

Accuracy in the measurement of sound levels in situ with sound level meters

Differences among readings on different sound level meters when measuring the same signal have been studied with the object of specifying the measuring accuracy in in situ measurements. Three sound level meters of different origins have been used, and five kinds of noises have been measured in five places of different acoustical characteristics. The measurements were performed by three experienced operators. Results of the standard deviation of the measurements made by different operators using different SLM are supplied.     

Scattering of sound by sound

The previous results for the scattered field of two plane monochromatic sound waves is shown to possess a singularity as the wave vectors become equal. A new solution which removes this singularity is presented.     

声场分布中的负向声强

本文讨论了相距很近的两个点声源的声强分布,发现位于声源之上的平面法向声强在某些区域为负向声强。对纸盆扬声器声场的实测结果也显示出与理论计算相符的负向声强。本文的理论计算及实际测量结果对负向声强的传统解释增加了新的内容。     

Note on the relationship of sound pressure and sound intensity

It is usual to calculate the sound pressure at a given location by energy addition of all relevant components. Another approach considers the sound power per unit area. This note shows that the two approaches lead to different results for ideal line or planar sources. The calculated sound pressure level is higher than expected on the basis of sound intensity. For this reason, the use of sound pressure levels measured close to a source leads to a sound power estimate which is too high.     

On the sound absorption performance of a felt sound absorber

In this work, we have developed an analytical model of a multilayer porous material based on the transfer matrix method to predict the absorption behavior at plane wave incidence. The aim of this study is to modify/tune the sound absorption coefficient of a felt to obtain an improved absorbing performance in the mid frequency range without increasing its weight. To achieve this target, the developed model has been used to find the best combination of each layer type and thickness. The analytical results were validated by test results.     

声速测量及声波的波动学规律研究

声速除了可利用共振干涉法和相位比较法测量外,还可以用干涉、衍射及“洛埃镜”反射等方法测量．声速实验的改进,不仅可扩展声速测量的方法,而且也可加深学生对波动学规律和本质的理解．     

Intensity and space-time characteristics of the sound field in the underwater sound channel of the Black Sea

Experimental data are presented on the intensity and space-time characteristics of the sound field generated by explosions in underwater and surface sound channels of the Black Sea. The fine field structure is studied as a function of distance and positions of the source and the receiver. The discreteness of the field structure governed by the deterministic nature of the waveguide is revealed, and the destruction of this structure under the effect of the instability of the waveguide parameters is demonstrated. The effect of the rough sea surface on the sound field in the surface channel is studied, and the diffraction-caused propagation loss is estimated. The mechanism of the forerunner formation is considered. The experimentally observed sound field features are compared with the calculations. A possibility for solving the inverse problem is indicated, and the main parameters that are used in the ray method of determining the source coordinates in the underwater channel (i.e., the method earlier proposed by the author on the basis of the intrinsic structure of the sound field) are pointed out.     

双声源位置和强度识别的三维声强方法

目前在远场识别声源空间位置和强度缺乏行之有效的方法。针对此问题,提出采用四传声器进行三维声强测量,从而构建出声强、声源坐标和声功率的非车线性方程组,求解方程得出声源空间坐标和强度的方法。以3个三维声强探头对两个同频率单极子声源的识别为例,分别利用数值仿真和半消声室内的实验进行方法验证,并对声源的识别空间分辨率做了测试,得出角度识别最大误差为3.83°,为真实值的8.5%,距离识别最大误差0.1 m,为真实距离的10%。结果表明采用该方法空间坐标和声功率识别均具有很高的准确度,双声源的空间位置分辨力也优于远场声全息方法。     

负梯度水文环境下海山对声传播的影响

利用一次南海海山环境下的声传播实验数据,研究了负梯度水文环境下海底山对声传播的影响。针对实验数据中的传播损失异常,从射线声学角度给出了合理的解释,表明海底山的存在引起传播损失在距离上剧烈波动。在距离接收阵较近的7.6 km处,声源位于海山斜坡上,斜坡的反射使接收传播损失减小约8 dB,体现出斜坡增强特征。当声源位于海山后,海底山的遮蔽作用使23.8 km处的传播损失增加超过20 dB,不同位置处海山遮蔽效应的差异使传播损失随距离起伏。利用抛物模型对实验环境下的声传播进行了定量仿真,仿真传播损失同实验结果符合,验证了实验数据中海底山的反射和遮蔽作用。此外,对实验环境下海山的遮蔽损失进行分析,发现在不同声源位置处,海山遮蔽损失在特定频带上同频率对数具有线性关系。     

负梯度水文环境下海山对声传播的影响

利用一次南海海山环境下的声传播实验数据,研究了负梯度水文环境下海底山对声传播的影响。针对实验数据中的传播损失异常,从射线声学角度给出了合理的解释,表明海底山的存在引起传播损失在距离上剧烈波动。在距离接收阵较近的7.6 km处,声源位于海山斜坡上,斜坡的反射使接收传播损失减小约8 dB,体现出斜坡增强特征。当声源位于海山后,海底山的遮蔽作用使23.8 km处的传播损失增加超过20 dB,不同位置处海山遮蔽效应的差异使传播损失随距离起伏。利用抛物模型对实验环境下的声传播进行了定量仿真,仿真传播损失同实验结果符合,验证了实验数据中海底山的反射和遮蔽作用。此外,对实验环境下海山的遮蔽损失进行分析,发现在不同声源位置处,海山遮蔽损失在特定频带上同频率对数具有线性关系。     

Numerical analyses of the sound absorption of three-dimensional MPP space sound absorbers

Because microperforated panels (MPPs) can provide wide-band sound absorption without fibrous and porous materials, they are recognized as next-generation absorption materials. The fundamental absorbing mechanism is Helmholtz-resonance absorption due to the perforations and air-back cavity. Consequently, MPPs are usually placed in front of rigid-back walls. However, one of the authors has proposed MPP space sound absorbers without backing structures. Among these space absorbers, cylindrical MPP space absorbers and rectangular MPP space absorbers are advantageous due to their design flexibility and easy-to-use properties. Although their performances have been investigated experimentally, it is necessary to predict their absorption characteristics to develop improved shapes and efficient designs. Herein their absorption characteristics are numerically predicted using the two-dimensional boundary element method, and the applicability of a numerical method as a design tool to sufficiently predict the performance of MPP space absorbers is discussed.     

Abnormal resting-state cortical coupling in chronic tinnitus

Background  

Subjective tinnitus is characterized by an auditory phantom perception in the absence of any physical sound source. Consequently, in a quiet environment, tinnitus patients differ from control participants because they constantly perceive a sound whereas controls do not. We hypothesized that this difference is expressed by differential activation of distributed cortical networks.