Model of the subjective evaluation of sound variations (author's transl)

Abstract

Periodic changes of different sound parameters can be compared using the strength of the fluctuation sensation as common criterion. The model porposed describes the relation between the fluctuation sensation and the sound changes. The first stage of the model, which detects level differences within critical bands produced by the parameter changes in the sound spectrum, is followed by a weighting, squaring and summing network, providing at its output a signal proportional to the subjective fluctuation strength. This model is applied to predict equivalent parameter variations, i.e. variations which produce the same fluctuation strength, e.g. equivalent changes of sound pressure level and of cut-off frequency of filtered noise. The predictions of the model are in good agreement with corresponding experimental results. The model can also be applied to describe subjective differences between steady sounds.