Comparison of methods used in design simulation and in emulation of electrical and acoustic systems for audio

Abstract

Contemporary audio recording and reproduction systems offer exceptional signal quality in terms of bandwidth, resolution, and linearity. Simulations used in the design and analysis of acoustic spaces, electroacoustic transducers, and electronic components are effective in predicting specific metrics of performance, but end-to-end system simulation would be exceedingly difficult even over extended run time. In media production workflows, emulation is used to create perceptually useful renderings of these same systems, with the real-time digital signal path providing emulation of acoustic environments coupled with transducers, and of nonlinear euphonic elements. These algorithms serve some of the same function as those in the design tools, and the present work uses the opportunity to compare engineering goals, economic constraints, and performance requirements.