Acoustic Manipulation Tamer Elnady

Task Definition Input: the recorded sounds. Output: a set of manipulated sounds were produced at different levels of change. Objective: –Calibrate the sounds used by the software –Ensure conformity with the standards of the game –Provide the right algorithm to mix different sounds Easy to Hard

Task Definition 1.Normalization of Sounds 2.Computer Calibration 3.Selective Attention 4.Temporal Processing – Phoneme Identification 5.Temporal Processing – Phonic Match

Task 1: Normalization Sounds were recorded: –At low voices –Using different levels (RMS, Gain) They were all normalized to the same level, same gain, in both speakers (stereo sounds) 5600 sound file (Automated Method)

RMS Level Variation

Gain (Background Noise) Variation

Task 2: Computer Calibration Programmer sets voice volume in software by a number – (mute) to 0 (louder sound possible) Computer sends volts to loudspeaker Loudspeaker converts electric current to sound that we can hear in decibels How to relate all this?

Task 2: Computer Calibration Absolute Calibration –Impossible –Depends on different uncontrollable factors (LS, sound card, amplifier, headphones) Relative Calibration –Rate of change –Accurate difference between two sounds when played together, or in different ears Calibration Curve –Send a certain number and measure sound pressure level

Task 2: Computer Calibration

Task 3: Selective Attention Phase I: –Signal + Noise at the same time Phase II: –Signal in one ear and noise in the other ear Demonstration

Task 4: Temporal Processing – Phoneme Identification Test Material 1 Modifications for distracter only: –Stop Consonants: Voice Onset will be increased. –Non-Stop Consonants: Fricative Vowel Gap will be increased modifiedTarget جىكى ستىسى دوتو ذوسو

Test Material 2: Modifications in target and distracter: –Expanding the formant transition –Increasing the amplitude at particular points in the transition Task 4: Temporal Processing – Phoneme Identification TargetDistracter saza Abaada bada bede

Levels of Modifications: –Prolongation: 1 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.5 –Amplitude increase: 0 – 10 – 20 dB 12 alternatives * 16 files = 192 files Task 4: Temporal Processing – Phoneme Identification

Test Material: –CV Task 5: Temporal Processing – Phonic Match Saza Abaada bada Bede

Task 5: Temporal Processing – Phonic Match Test Material: –CVC 1 شيلفيل 2 فارطار 3 ليلديل 4 غيطخيط 5 دارطار 6 ناسماس 7 برجدرج 8 ماءواء 9 بقدق 10 لامنام 11 بيضبيت 12 ديكديب 13 وزوش 14 ناسنام 15 شمسشمع 16 عينعيش 17 طورتوم 18 موزموج 19 دشدق 20 ناسماء

Task 5: Temporal Processing – Phonic Match Modifications –Prolongation of the whole word –Amplification of rapidly changing elements –Test material should be played in pairs Levels of Modifications: –Prolongation: 1 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.5 –Amplitude increase: 0 – 10 – 20 dB 12 alternatives * 42 files = 504 files

Acknowledgement Eng. Hossam Omar Eng. Mohamed Elsayed Eng. Majed Elkirdawy