Audio Transducer Response Simulation Using Equal Loudness Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio processing technologies fail to accurately simulate the frequency response of different grades of audio transducers, making it difficult for mixing technicians to ensure that music mixes sound good across various playback environments without the need for multiple sets of monitors.
Innovation Solution
An audio reproduction method that uses equal loudness response data to generate a spectral weighting profile, allowing an audio signal to be spectrally weighted and reproduced at a specific level to simulate the frequency response of different audio transducers, effectively merging audio reproduction level and monitor grade into a single axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sets of monitors are used to evaluate different playback environments, then the accuracy of frequency response evaluation is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simulated frequency response profile that copies the characteristics of different monitor grades through digital signal processing. Instead of physically having multiple monitor sets, the system generates a spectral weighting profile that replicates how different grade monitors reproduce frequency, allowing evaluation on a single reference monitor
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the frequency response parameters of the audio signal by applying spectral weighting based on equal loudness contours. By adjusting the spectral weighting profile, the system simulates different monitor grade characteristics (high-grade, reference, consumer-grade) without physically changing the hardware
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio reproduction level is reduced to simulate lower-grade monitors, then the simulation of consumer-grade playback is improved, but the audio quality and detail loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the reproduction level parameter, the system changes the spectral weighting parameter. The spectral weighting profile is derived from equal loudness contours to simulate how different grade monitors affect frequency response, allowing simulation of lower-grade monitor characteristics while maintaining optimal reproduction level and signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The spectral weighting profile acts as an intermediary that mediates between the reference monitor output and the simulated lower-grade monitor response. Rather than directly reducing volume to simulate lower quality, the spectral weighting profile modifies the frequency content to replicate the effect of lower-grade monitors while preserving audio quality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simulation of altered frequency responses without reducing the audio reproduction level, allowing home-studio owners to simulate higher or lower grade monitors using a single pair of monitors by adjusting the audio reproduction level, thereby improving the consistency of audio performance across different playback environments.
Implementation Method 1
providing equal loudness response data defining a dependency between sound pressure level and frequency, resulting in sounds of equal loudness
Data Source
AI summary
An audio reproduction method comprises providing equal loudness response data defining a dependency between sound pressure level and frequency, resulting in sounds of equal loudness, including for sounds of a notional negative loudness; generating a required spectral weighting profile from the response data to represent a difference in frequency response between a first audio transducer and a second, different, audio transducer; applying a spectral weighting to an audio signal in dependence upon the derived frequency response; and reproducing the spectrally weighted audio signal using the second audio transducer at an audio reproduction level. In some examples, the generating step comprises: mapping a difference between the first audio transducer and the second audio transducer to a mapped difference in audio level; deriving a frequency response dependent upon a difference between: the response data applicable to the audio reproduction level; and the response data applicable to the audio reproduction level as modified by the mapped difference in audio level.