Timbre Research Articles

HABILITATION TREATMENT OF HYPERTONIA IN NEWBORNS AND INFANTS

The quality of muscle tone of newborns and infants is an important parameter for the assessment of neurological maturation, i.e. for the detection of neurological abnormalities. Changes in muscle tone are often perceived in the so-called “risk children”, and could be a sign of a primary disorder of the central nervous system in terms of early brain damage. The change in muscle tone in terms of hypoand hypertonia in the first months of life is considered a symptomatic risk for disturbances in motor development, and requires inclusion of the rehabilitation treatment, even though the normalization is often possible to occur spontaneously, without any therapy. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of habilitation treatment on reducing hypertonia in newborns and infants. The study includes 42 children of both genders, aged 0-12 months, who are habilitated due to the manifested symptomatic risk for disturbances in motor development, with elevated muscle tone. Muscle tone was measured through the use of French angles (tie sign, heel-ear manoeuvre, popliteal angle, leg abduction and dorsiflexion of the foot), both in the beginning and in the end of treatment. The results showed that in 32 children there was complete normalization of elevated tone by the end of the 6th month of age, in seven children by the end of the 10th month of age, while three children kept struggling with persistent hypertonia, but to a lesser degree than in the initial state. To conclude, the best effects of habilitation treatment to reduce the high tone can be expected in the first three months of life through the use of a very early habilitation. The later the start of the treatment, the smaller the odds for normalization, and much more effort needs to be invested in order to normalize the elevated muscle tone. Acta Medica Medianae 2011;50(1):22-25.

Analysis of Decision Trees in Context Clustering of Hidden Markov Model Based Thai Speech Synthesis

Problem statement: In Thai speech synthesis using Hidden Markov model (HMM) based synthesis system, the tonal speech quality is degraded due to tone distortion. This major problem must be treated appropriately to preserve the tone characteristics of each syllable unit. Since tone brings about the intelligibility of the synthesized speech. It is needed to establish the tone questions and other phonetic questions in tree-based context clustering process accordingly. Approach: This study describes the analysis of questions in tree-based context clustering process of an HMM-based speech synthesis system for Thai language. In the system, spectrum, pitch or F0 and state duration are modeled simultaneously in a unified framework of HMM, their parameter distributions are clustered independently by using a decision-tree based context clustering technique. The contextual factors which affect spectrum, pitch and duration, i.e., part of speech, position and number of phones in a syllable, position and number of syllables in a word, position and number of words in a sentence, phone type and tone type, are taken into account for constructing the questions of the decision tree. All in all, thirteen sets of questions are analyzed in comparison. Results: In the experiment, we analyzed the decision trees by counting the number of questions in each node coming from those thirteen sets and by calculating the dominance score given to each question as the reciprocal of the distance from the root node to the question node. The highest number and dominance score are of the set of phonetic type, while the second, third highest ones are of the set of part of speech and tone type. Conclusion: By counting the number of questions in each node and calculating the dominance score, we can set the priority of each question set. All in all, the analysis results bring about further development of Thai speech synthesis with efficient context clustering process in an HMM-based speech synthesis system.

Effects of Clarinet Embouchure on Band Director Tone Quality Preferences: An Exploratory Study

Woodwind methods classes are where most teachers learn the basics of woodwind embouchure and tone production. Woodwind methods texts and beginning band methods disagree on clarinet embouchure. One cannot readily reduce any embouchure to one or two attributes; however, clarinet teachers and band directors often disagree about whether the corners of the mouth are pulled back into a smile or come in toward the mouthpiece, as if saying the letter “Q.” The purpose of this study was to determine if the abovementioned embouchure differences affect clarinet tone quality to a degree that band and orchestra directors would prefer either the “Smile” or the “Q” embouchure sound.Two graduate clarinet majors, one taught using the “Smile” embouchure and the other taught using the “Q” embouchure, recorded a series of sustained tones, scales, clarinet solo literature, and band repertoire to provide examples for timbre analysis and to provide tone quality survey items sent to randomly selected U.S. band directors. Although the response rate was low, results of the survey showed that band directors who responded preferred the tone quality generated by the player with the “Q” embouchure.

Tonal Language Speech Compression Based on a Bitrate Scalable Multi-Pulse Based Code Excited Linear Prediction Coder

Problem statement: Speech compression is an important issue in the modern digital speech communication. The functionality of bitrates scalability also plays significant role, since the capacity of communication system varies all the time. When considering tonal speech, such as Thai, tone plays important role on the naturalness and the intelligibility of the speech, it must be treated appropriately. Therefore these issues are taken into account in this study. Approach: This study proposes a modification of flexible Multi-Pulse based Code Excited Linear Predictive (MP-CELP) coder with bitrates scalabilities for tonal language speech in the multimedia applications. The coder consists of a core coder and bitrates scalable tools. The high pitch delay resolutions are applied to the adaptive codebook of core coder for tonal language speech quality improvement. The bitrates scalable tool employs multi-stage excitation coding based on an embedded-coding approach. The multi-pulse excitation codebook at each stage is adaptively produced depending on the selected excitation signal at the previous stage. Results: The experimental results show that the speech quality of the proposed coder is improved above the speech quality of the conventional coder without pitch-resolution adaptation. Conclusion: From the study, the proposed approach is able to improve the speech compression quality for tonal language and the functionality of bitrates scalability is also developed.

Autour Des Voyelles De Rimbaud: Poésie et Linguistique

While the continuing obscurity surrounding the genesis, composition and meaning of Rimbaud's Voyelles only enhances the poem's lyrical charisma, there exists a coincidence between the writer's concern with vowels and the work of his early linguistician contemporaries into the evolution of vowel sounds and their phonetic relationship. Alongside serious pioneering work by Bopp, Bréal and Saussure are to be found, complete with diagrams, more phantasmagorical excursions into sound–colour correspondences. How aware was the poet of esoteric work by the philologists Lucien Adam and Honoré Chavée, presented here? Charles Cros's interest in Sanskrit, his work on the mechanical recording of sound, his links with Rimbaud and purported relationship with Bréal foreshadow the semantician's influence on Paulhan's linguistic investigations and the poetics of the Surrealists.

Acoustic characteristics of chamfered Hartmann whistles

Experimental studies are conducted to investigate the effect of internal chamfer at the mouth of Hartmann resonators. Studies involve a range of nozzle pressure ratios from 4 to 6, and chamfer angles 15°, 30°, and 45°. Further, the effects of cavity length and stand-off distance are also considered. The spectra, directivity, and acoustic power characteristics are studied in detail. Detailed numerical simulations are carried out to capture the flow oscillations inside as well as at the outside of the mouth of the chamfered cavities. Computations show flow diversion in chamfered cavities and explain the shift in the directivity observed experimentally. The fundamental frequency of cavities with 15° and 30° chamfers is observed to be higher than that of regular cavities. Resonance is intensified by the presence of chamfer resulting in higher overall sound pressure levels of chamfered whistles. Thus, chamfered Hartmann whistles are found to emit more than twice the acoustic power of a regular cylindrical whistle. The tonal quality of sound is analyzed using a new metric termed as “ resonance index”.

High Pitch Delay Resolution Technique for Tonal Language Speech Coding Based on Multi-Pulse Based Code Excited Linear Prediction Algorithm

Problem statement: In spontaneous speech communication, speech coding is an important process that should be taken into account, since the quality of coded speech depends on the efficiency of the speech coding algorithm. As for tonal language which tone plays important role not only on the naturalness and also the intelligibility of the speech, tone must be treated appropriately. Approach: This study proposes a modification of flexible Multi-Pulse based Code Excited Linear Predictive (MP-CELP) coder with multiple bitrates and bitrate scalabilities for tonal language speech in the multimedia applications. The coder consists of a core coder and bitrate scalable tools. The High Pitch Delay Resolutions (HPDR) are applied to the adaptive codebook of core coder for tonal language speech quality improvement. The bitrate scalable tool employs multi-stage excitation coding based on an embedded-coding approach. The multi-pulse excitation codebook at each stage is adaptively produced depending on the selected excitation signal at the previous stage. Results: The experimental results show that the speech quality of the proposed coder is improved above the speech quality of the conventional coder without pitch-resolution adaptation. Conclusion: From the study, it is a strong evidence to further apply the proposed technique in the speech coding systems or other speech processing technologies.

Interpretation of the acoustical analysis of the timbre of Chinese national singing: Female example.

ABSTRACT - This study analyzed the female voice in Chinese National Singing from the perspective of music acoustics. By using music acoustic methodology, we collected, compared, and analyzed the sounds of female Chinese National Singing and bel canto. Comparison of the power spectrum and singer's formant led to conclusions respectively for the characteristics of power spectra of four kinds of voices with different timbre. Our experimental results show that the female voice of Chinese National Singing and bel canto share some characteristics of their formants in terms of peak heights, peak widths, and frequency domains. KEYWORDS - Chinese National Singing, timbre, singer's formant, music acoustics (ProQuest: ... denotes non-USASCII text omitted.) Translated from the Chinese1 by Bing-Yi Pan From the perspective of musical acoustics, the human vocal organ can be considered as a music instrument, and it can be studied by using methods of music acoustics, because it contains the same acoustic components: vibrator, exciter, resonator, and controller, as do all other music instruments. We chose the female voice of Chinese National Singing as the target of this research. We analyzed and compared the power spectra and singer's formant of the female voice of four different styles of singing. TERMINOLOGY In order to avoid controversy, we will first define the key terminologies used in this article. They are: Chinese National Singing, timbre, and singer's formant. Chinese National Singing There are two definitions for Chinese National Singing, the general one and the specific one. The General Chinese National Singing includes traditional Chinese operas; Chinese story-telling music; folk music of all local operas developed by different nationalities across China; as well as the new singing styles created and developed under the New Music Movement, which is a professional singing method combining both the Western systematic training methods and Chinese traditional music styles. The Specific Chinese National Singing designates the singing styles developed by the New Music Movement during the twentieth century. By accepting elements from European singing, this singing style arose from the synthesis of the Chinese traditional singing and bel canto. In its even narrower sense, the Specific Chinese National Singing also refers to common singing methods being used for training of singing and professional music education in Chinese music colleges. Timbre The given definition for timbre in The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 6th Edition, is: Timbre is a term that describes the tonal quality of a sound; a clarinet and an oboe sounding the same note are said to produce different timbres. It is usually reserved for descriptions of steady notes and therefore the physical quantity with which it is closely associated is the harmonic mixture, or the formant, or the spectrum. (Sadie, 1980, p. 823) Timbre perception by the human auditory system arises mainly via analyzing the harmonic distribution of the onset and the steady state of the tone. Differences of timbre mainly depend upon the number of harmonics and their relative intensities. The material and structure of a musical instrument as well as the manner of performing determine the distribution of harmonics. Even when playing the same instrument, artists can control the distribution of harmonics by using different registers or dynamics. For singers, when singing in different vocal register or dynamics, the oscillating mode of the vocal folds and the status of resonators will also be different. They are the elements that directly influence the distribution of harmonics. Both subjective and objective factors affect the sense of timbre. Subjective factors include contrasting elements, individual differences and national or cultural or traditional preferences. Objective factors include harmonic distribution of both the onset and steady state of the tone. …

Music Game With Strike Sounds Changing In Quality In The Progress Of Music And Entertainment Music System

Indication objects are displayed on a television monitor at the intervals in agreement with the rhythm of music, such that the player can generate musical tones in synchronization with music by striking the strike surface of a music game console in the appropriate timing as indicated by indication objects. In this case, the tone quality of the strike sound changes in the progress of music on the basis of strike sound indicating information.

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 ( N 1 with six aircraft and N 2 with 10 aircraft plus one sequence without aircraft N 0) 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.

DVD Reviews

A Christmas Tale/Un Conte de Nol, (2009) France Director Arnaud Desplechin Screenplay Arnaud Desplechin Adaptation by Arnaud Desplechin and Emmanuel Bourdieu Producer Pascal Caucheteux Cinematographer Eric Gaultier Editor Laurence Briaud Music Grgoire Hetzel With Catherine Deneuve (Junon), Jean-Paul Rousillion (Abel), Mathieu Almaric (Henri), Anne Cosigny (Elizabeth), Melvil Poupaud (Ivan), Emmanuelle Devos (Faunia) and Chiara Mastroianni (Sylvia). Runtime 152 minutes DVD USA, 2009 Produced and Distributed by The Criterion Collection (Region 1) Aspect Ratio 2.35:1 Sound Mix Surround Sound Colour Language French with English subtitles Extras New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by director Arnaud Desplechin. L'Aimee, Desplechin's 2007 documentary about the sale of his family home. Arnaud's Tale, a new 35-minute documentary featuring interviews with Desplechin and actors Mathieu Almaric and Catherine Deneuve. Original theatrical trailers. A booklet featuring an essay by critic Philope Lopate. The Exterminating Angel/El ngel exterminador, (1962) Mexico Director Luis Buuel Screenplay Luis Buuel Original story by Luis Alcoriza and Luis Buuel Producer Gustavo Alatriste Cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa With Silvia Pinal (Leticia La Valkiria), Enrique Rambal (Edmundo Nobile), Lucy Gallardo (Luca de Nobile), Claudio Brook (Julio, the steward), Augusto Benedico (Carlos Conde, the doctor), Jos Baviera (Leandro Gomez) Runtime 93 minutes DVD USA, 2008 Produced and Distributed by The Criterion Collection (region 1) Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Sound Mix Dolby Digital 1.0 mono Extras New, restored high-definition transfer. Theatrical trailer. New and improved English subtitle translation. The Last Script: Remembering Luis Buuel (2008), a 90-minute documentary featuring screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrire and Buuel's son, director Juan Luis Buuel. Interviews with actress Silvia Pinal and filmmaker Arturo Ripstein. A 36-page booklet featuring a new essay by film scholar Marsha Kinder and an interview with Buuel from the 1970s. Soul Power, (2008) USA Director Jeffrey Levy-Hinte Producers Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Leon Gast, David Sonenberg Cinematographers Paul Goldsmith, Kevin Keating, Albert Maysles, Roderick Young Editor David A. Smith Sound Design John Moros With The Spinners, OK Jazz feat, Franco, Bill Withers, Miriam Makeba, Pembe Dance Troupe, The Crusaders, Fania All-Stars, Big Black, Afrisa feat, Tabu Ley Rochereaux, James Brown and The Mighty J.B.'s, Muhammad Ali, Don King, Yomo Toro, Celia Cruz, Trio Madjesi, George Plimpton, Sister Sledge and The Crusaders. Runtime 93 minutes DVD USA 2009 Produced and Distributed by Eureka Entertainment as part of the Masters of Cinema series Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Sound Mix Dolby Digital Extras Extra scenes. Extra performances by James Brown, Sister Sledge, Abeti, Pointer Sisters and Pembe Dance Troupe. Interview with director. UK theatrical trailer.

Multi-Pulse Based Code Excited Linear Predictive Speech Coder with Fine Granularity Scalability for Tonal Language

Problem statement: The flexible bit-rate speech coder plays an important role in the modern speech communication. The MP-CELP speech coder which is a candidate of the MPEG4 natural speech coder supports a flexible and wide bit-rate range. However, a fine scalability had not been included. To support finer scalability of the coding rate, it had been studied in this study. Approach: In this study, based on the MP-CELP speech coding with HPDR technique, Fine Granularity Scalability was introduced by adjusting the amount of transmitted fixed excitation information. The FGS feature aim at changing the bit rate of the conventional coding more finely and more smoothly. Results: Through performance analysis and computer simulation, the quality of scalability of the MP-CELP coding was presented with an improvement from conventional scalable MP-CELP. The HPDR technique is also applied to the MP-CELP to use for tonal language, meanwhile it can support the core coding rate of 4.2, 5.5, 7.5 kbps and additional scaled bit rates. Conclusion: The core coder with high pitch delay resolution technique and adaptive codebook for tonal speech quality improvement has been conducted and the FGS brings about further efficient scalability.

The influence of reed curvature on the tone quality of lingual organ pipes.

Given certain design constraints, such as the type of stop being voiced and the desired tone quality, reed voicers must use consummate skill to curve each tongue so as to produce the best and most stable tone, as well as maintain a consistent tone quality across an entire rank of pipes. The curvature given to a reed tongue influences not only the harmonic structure of the steady-state sound, but also the attack. Two fundamentally different types of curvature are typically employed, the chorus reed (trompette) curve (which yields a bright sound) and the smooth-toned curve employed for solo reeds such as the clarinet. This study investigated the effect of reed curvature on the vibration and tone of reed tongues of both types. Two F2 pipes (a trompette and a clarinet) were constructed and voiced with six different tongues each to produce a variety of tones. The reed’s vibration was measured under typical conditions by laser vibrometer; the pressure waves in the boot and in the shallot were measured by means of 1/8-in. microphones and the emitted sound was recorded at the egress. By performing various measurements simultaneously, phase differences were also determined.

Linguistic Assessment Tools for the Digisonic® Dual Electric-Acoustic Speech Processor

(2010). Linguistic Assessment Tools for the Digisonic® Dual Electric-Acoustic Speech Processor. Cochlear Implants International: Vol. 11, Proceedings of the 9th European Symposium on Paediatric Cochlear Implantation, Warsaw, 2009, pp. 306-311.

On Speech and Public Release

This essay argues for a reprivileging of the object of speech in the study of public address. To this end, public discourse concerning the tonal qualities of male and female speech, particularly in moments of affective transgression, is examined to better discern our deeply gendered, cultural norms of eloquence. The primary case study analyzes reactions to the oratory of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to show how their respective vocal tones played a significant role in the 2008 presidential election.

On Speech and Public Release

Abstract This essay argues for a reprivileging of the object of speech in the study of public address. To this end, public discourse concerning the tonal qualities of male and female speech, particularly in moments of affective transgression, is examined to better discern our deeply gendered, cultural norms of eloquence. The primary case study analyzes reactions to the oratory ofBarack Obama and Hillary Clinton to show how their respective vocal tones played a significant role in the 2008 presidential election.

Why music moves us

Daniel J. Levitin enjoys a book that explains how rhythm, pitch and timbre are combined, and why the most delightful compositions balance predictability and surprise.

Acoustical studies on conch shells.

Sound from blowing a conch shell is known for its tonal quality. Its use in many cultures is known. In Hindu culture, conch shell is blown on several auspicious occasions such as festivals, worship, and rituals. A conch shell can be modeled as a horn in its acoustical behavior. This work presents an acoustical study in terms of the spectral characteristics of the shell. The study also presents the influence of parameters such as placing hand in the mouth of the conch shell and the size of conch shell on the spectral characteristics.

"Write what is in the Heart"

"Write what is in the Heart" Kwok Pui-lan (bio) A shore of thin reeds in light winda tall boat alone at nightstars hand over the barren landthe moon rises out of the Yangtzehow could writing ever lead to fameI quit my post due to illness and agedrifting along what am I likea solitary gull between Heaven and Earth1Du Fu (712-770) The Chinese poet Du Fu wrote this poem in the summer of 765 CE, when he had to relocate his family and search for a new post. Traveling on a tall-masted boat along the Yangtze, he wished he had achieved fame for something other than writing, for poets received no royalties. Yet it was for his poetry that Du Fu was remembered and revered for over a thousand years. Hailed as the "Saint of Poetry," Du Fu is one of the best-known Chinese poets, whose work has been memorized by the young and the old throughout the centuries. The site of Du Fu's modest thatched cottage, built when he was exiled to Chengdu in Western part of China, became one of the shrines of Chinese literature. Poetry has a very special place in Chinese culture; the Chinese word for poetry, shi, means "language of the heart." As Bill Porter, who translates many Chinese poems into English, notes: "No social or ritual occasion, no political or personal event was considered complete without a few well-chosen words in rhyme that summarized the subtleties of the Chinese vision of reality and that linked this vision with the beat of their hearts."2 In Du Fu's poetry, we can see the poet's discerning eye for details of the social trauma of war and famine, and the poet's heart pulsating with empathy and compassion for the suffering masses. Many Chinese poems have only five or seven characters in one verse. Each single character must be deftly chosen not only for its meaning but also for its sound and tonal quality. In traditional China, children began to memorize a lot of poetry and literature at a tender age in order to acquire a wide repertory of images, metaphors, tropes, and idiomatic expressions. Writing Chinese [End Page 76] well takes much practice and study, for one needs to be familiar with Chinese literary genre, rhetoric, themes, and aesthetics. Through prolonged study and modeling after the great literary masters, one acquires the linguistic skills and poetic sensibility to capture transient feelings and fleeting moments. As in Du Fu's poem, delicate feelings of the human heart are often alluded to by sensory description of natural scenery, which evokes different moods and sentiments. Writing becomes a spiritual practice when one uses it as a means not only to communicate thought and feelings, but also to reflect on one's life and bare one's soul. Augustine was in his forties, serving as a bishop, when he penned the classic Confessions. Looking back at his youthful indiscretions, fantasies, and desires with introspection, Augustine sought to establish a more intimate relation with God. While suffering from psychic stress and illnesses, the German mystic Hildegard of Bingen struggled to record what she saw and heard in her visions, even though words often failed to catch up with her fecund imagination. She wrote, "But I, though I saw and heard these things, refused to write for a long time through doubt and bad opinion and the diversity of human words, not with stubbornness but in the exercise of humility, until, laid low by the scourge of God, I fell upon a bed of sickness; then, compelled at last by many illnesses . . . I set my hand to the writing."3 In our modern day, Henri Nouwen's broken relationship with his friend Nathan led to a period of deep depression and spiritual crisis. His "secret" journal, later published as The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey through Anguish to Freedom, recorded an intense period of self-doubt, loneliness, and melancholy: "I had come face to face with my own nothingness. It was as if all that had given my life meaning was pulled away and I...

The violin: Perceptual studies and acoustical correlates.

This talk discusses the results of experiments in which performances were replayed on different “virtual violins” in order to explore the relationships between acoustical characteristics of violins and perceived qualities. Specifically, it explores perceptual observations reported by Dünnwald [based on his measurements of over 700 instruments, J. Catgut. Acoust. Soc. (1991)] by modifying the amplitude of the resonance modes over five octave bands (thereby covering the violin’s entire register). When using a subset of the most distinctive verbal descriptors of violin timbre [Fritz et al., Conference of Interdisplinary Musicology (2009)] to study the relationship between human perception and these acoustical modifications, we ascertained results that partially conflict with Dünnwald’s observations. In addition, the study investigated the manner by which one’s perception of the violin’s tone quality is affected by the magnitude of a player’s vibrato as well as the damping of the violin’s resonant modes. Our results do not support the conclusion that liveliness results from the combination of the use of vibrato and a “peaky” violin response. The talk concludes by discussing the limits of such psychophysical studies, suggesting future directions for psycholinguistic-based research in this domain.