Timbre analysis from monotone rearranging of the acoustic signal: Application to fountains

Abstract

Public fountains are an example of a soundmark that is both non musical and pleasing to the ear due to their specific timbre. Standard audio descriptors designed for musical sounds are limited in describing such sounds. A new method is proposed for identifying and classifying fountains sounds as well as surrounding urban noises. The method consists in sorting discrete-time signal samples in a monotonically descending order. Features of the resulting curve are extracted in an attempt to define a timbral evaluation metric. Reference signals including natural water sounds and synthesized pink noise are also analyzed and the results are compared to those of fountain sounds. Outcomes are discussed in the framework of urban soundscape studies, in order to improve acoustical urban planning.