Audio Mixer Delay Calibration for Multi-Channel Phase Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mixing apparatuses require manual and time-consuming adjustments of delay times for multiple input channels to synchronize audio signals, leading to difficulties in achieving phase coherence due to varying microphone locations, which complicates the process and can result in suboptimal audio quality.
Innovation Solution
A mixing apparatus with a reference channel and target channels, utilizing a time difference detector and delay controller to automatically adjust delay times based on a test tone, ensuring synchronized audio signal reception across channels, thereby simplifying the setting of delay times and improving audio phase coherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual delay time adjustment is used for each input channel, then phase synchronization can be achieved, but the operation becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing apparatus automatically detects time differences between input channels and adjusts delay times without user intervention. The system self-measures the time differences using test tones and self-corrects the phase synchronization, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates test tones, detects the time differences in their arrival at different microphones, and uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the delay times of each input channel. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures precise phase synchronization while simplifying operation
2Measurement precision
If manual delay time adjustment is used for each input channel, then phase synchronization can be achieved, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing apparatus automatically detects time differences between input channels and adjusts delay times without user intervention. The system self-measures the time differences using test tones and self-corrects the phase synchronization, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic delay time adjustments using test tones before actual audio mixing. By pre-calculating and applying the correct delay times automatically, the system eliminates the time-consuming manual adjustment process while ensuring precise phase synchronization is achieved in advance
3Ease of operation
If automatic delay correction is implemented, then operation is simplified, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of delay times with automatic electronic detection and control. Using digital signal processing to generate test tones, detect time differences, and calculate optimal delay values electronically substitutes for complex manual mechanical adjustments, simplifying operation while managing system complexity through software-based solutions
Data Source
AI summary
In an automatic correction process, automatic correction processing portions 60 are connected to a set reference channel and target channels, respectively, so that test signals will be input to the automatic correction processing portions 60, respectively. A rise detection portion 60a detects a rise in a test signal input to a corresponding channel, so that a value counted by a sample counter 61 is latched by a latch 60b at the rising timing of this test signal. In accordance with a difference between the counted value latched to the reference channel and the counted value latched to the target channel, a time difference is calculated. In accordance with the time difference, a delay time set for a channel delay means of the target channel is automatically corrected.