Audio signal processing

Audio signal processing, sometimes referred to as audio processing. It is the processing of a representation of auditory signals, or sound.

Analog signals An analog representation is usually electrical. A voltage level represents the air pressure waveform of the sound.

Digital signals A digital representation expresses the pressure wave-form as a sequence of symbols, usually binary numbers, which permits digital signal processing. human ears cannot perceive frequencies below approx. 20 Hz or above approx. 18 kHz (strongly depends on the age of the listener). Therefore, there is no significant loss of information when the analog signal is sampled using a high enough sampling rate.

Digital signals The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which measures the noise level, can be easily calculated thru this formula, where n is the number of bits used on the ADC: SNR = 6.02 x n dB The higher the SNR, the better. An 8-bit ADC provides a SNR of 49.9 dB, while a 16-bit SNR provides a SNR of 98 dB (which is, by the way, a virtually no-noise value). More than 130 dB Signal-to-noise ratio is almost impossible to achieve.

Application areas Processing methods and application areas include: – Storage. – level compression – data compression. – Transmission. – Enhancement (e.g., equalization, filtering, noise cancellation, echo or reverb removal or addition, etc.)

Sound recording and reproduction Sound recording and reproduction is the electrical or mechanical inscription and re- creation of sound waves, usually used for the voice or for music.

Sound recording and reproduction The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording. Analog recording is achieved by a small microphone diaphragm that can detect changes in atmospheric pressure (acoustic sound waves) and record them as graphic sound waves on a medium. Digital recording and reproduction uses the same analog technologies, with digitization of the sonographic data and signal.

Sound recording and reproduction New types of files formats such as the WAV digital music file and the compressed file type, the MP3. use of computers has made editing operations faster and easier to execute with software, and the use of hard-drives for storage has made recording cheaper

Dynamic range compression In music, dynamic range is the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of an instrument, part or piece of music. Dynamic range compression, also called DRC (often seen in DVD player settings) or simply compression, is a process that reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal. Compression is used during sound recording, live sound reinforcement, and broadcasting to control the level of audio. A compressor is the device used to apply compression.

Dynamic range compression In simple terms, a compressor is an automatic volume control. Loud sounds over a certain threshold are reduced in level while quiet sounds remain untreated (this is known as downward compression, while the less common upward compression involves making sounds below the threshold louder while the louder passages remain unchanged). In this way it reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal. This may be done for aesthetic reasons, to deal with technical limitations of audio equipment, or to improve audibility of audio in noisy environments.

Dynamic range compression A compressor reduces the gain (level) of an audio signal if its amplitude exceeds a certain threshold. The amount of gain reduction is determined by a ratio. For example, with a ratio of 4:1, when the (time averaged) input level is 4 dB over the threshold, the output signal level will be 1 dB over the threshold. The gain (level) has been reduced by 3 dB. When the input level is 8 dB above the threshold, the output level will be 2 dB; a 6 dB gain reduction. A more specific example for a 4:1 ratio: Threshold = −10 dB Input = −6 dB (4 dB above the threshold) Output = −9 dB (1 dB above the threshold)

Dynamic range compression Design Feed-forward: is used today on all compressors. The signal entering a compressor is split, with one copy sent to a variable-gain amplifier and the other to a path called the side-chain. Control circuit calculates the required amount of gain reduction. The control-circuit outputs the requested gain-reduction amount to the amplifier. Feedback type: Early compressor designs were based on this type. the signal feeding the control circuit was taken after the amplifier.

Dynamic range compression Compressor features Threshold Threshold is the level above which the signal is reduced. It is commonly set in dB, where a lower threshold (e.g. -60 dB) means a larger portion of the signal will be treated (compared to a higher threshold of -5 dB). Ratio The ratio determines the input/output ratio for signals above the threshold. The highest ratio of ∞:1 is commonly achieved using a ratio of 60:1.

Dynamic range compression Attack and release A compressor might provide a degree of control over how quickly it acts. The 'attack phase' is the period when the compressor is increasing gain reduction to reach the level that is determined by the ratio. The 'release phase' is the period when the compressor is decreasing gain reduction to the level determined by the ratio, or, to zero, once the level has fallen below the threshold. The length of each period is determined by the rate of change and the required change gain reduction.

Dynamic range compression Soft and hard knees Another control a compressor might offer is hard/soft knee. This controls whether the bend in the response curve is a sharp angle or has a rounded edge. A soft knee slowly increases the compression ratio as the level increases and eventually reaches the compression ratio set by the user. A soft knee reduces the audible change from uncompressed to compressed, especially for higher ratios where the changeover is more noticeable.

Dynamic range compression Stereo Linking Stereo linking can be achieved in two ways: – Either the compressor sums to mono the left and right channel at the input, then only the left channel controls are functional. – The compressor still calculates the required amount of gain reduction independently for each channel and then apply the highest amount of gain reduction to both. Make up gain Because the compressor is reducing the gain (or level) of the signal, the ability to add a fixed amount of make-up gain at the output is provided so that an optimum level can be used.

Dynamic range compression Compressor usage high threshold and low compression ratio achieve dynamic range reduction with few obvious effects so that the source material is being compressed very slightly most of the time. To deliberately soften the attack of a snare drum, they might choose a fast attack time and a moderately fast release time combined with a higher threshold. To accentuate the attack of the snare, they might choose a slower attack time to avoid affecting the initial transient. It is easier to successfully apply these controls if the user has a basic knowledge of musical instrument acoustics. It should be noted that compression can also be used to lift the soft passages of a selection, pulling the sound toward a compressed "middle". Hence, loud sounds are pulled back and soft passages are boosted.

Dynamic range compression Limiting Compression and limiting are no different in process, just in degree and in the perceived effect. A limiter is a compressor with a higher ratio, and generally a fast attack time. Engineers sometimes refer to soft and hard limiting which are differences of degree. The "harder" a limiter, the higher its ratio and the faster its attack and release times.

Dynamic range compression Side-chaining Side-chaining uses the signal level of another input or an equalized version of the original input to control the compression level of the original signal. This is used by disc jockeys to lower the music volume automatically when speaking. A stereo compressor without a sidechain can be used as a mono compressor with a sidechain. The key or sidechain signal is sent to the first (main) input of the stereo compressor while the signal that is to be compressed is routed into and out of the second channel of the compressor.

Dynamic range compression Parallel compression parallel compression is to insert the compressor in a parallel signal path. give a measure of dynamic control without significant audible side effects, if the ratio is relatively low and the compressor's sound is relatively neutral. On the other hand, a high compression ratio with significant audible artifacts can be chosen in one of the two parallel signal paths.

Dynamic range compression Multiband compression Multiband compressors are compressors that can act differently on different frequency bands. It is as if each bandpass has its own compressor with its own threshold, ratio, attack, and release. Serial compression Serial compression is a technique used in sound recording and mixing. Serial compression is achieved by using two fairly different compressors in a signal chain. One compressor will generally stabilize the dynamic range while the other will more aggressively compress stronger peaks.

Dynamic range compression Common uses Public spaces Music production Voice Broadcasting Marketing