Construction of a minimal set of sound parameters for multidimensional tests

Abstract

In a multidimensional test, the selection of sound parameters may be difficult, because these parameters must not be numerous while describing the whole perception and have to be understood unambiguously by naive listeners. The method of free verbalizations [E. Samoylenko, S. McAdams, and V. Nosulenko, Int. J. Psych. 31(6), 255–278 (1996)] allows the construction of a minimal set of parameters. A minimal set of seven parameters was built for diesel engine idle noise. These parameters were then used for a semantic differential test, with other listeners and no sound training session. It was checked that the characterizations of sounds thus obtained for each parameter were very close to those given by the first test using free verbalizations. That means that the parameters were well understood by listeners and that all semantic ambiguities were avoided. Such a parameter set can be used for routine tests in the same sound context.