Dual-ALC Audio Effector Circuit for Genre-Adaptive Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio effector circuits fail to effectively process audio signals from different music sources, often making rock-and-roll music livelier while making classical music sound unnatural, and their performance depends on the music type.
Innovation Solution
An audio effector circuit with two automatic level control circuits having different attack and release times, a subtracter to generate a difference signal, and an adder to enhance amplitude-increasing portions of the audio signal, along with low pass filters to remove noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a static audio effector circuit (tone control or equalizer) is tuned to boost a particular frequency range, then rock-and-roll music becomes livelier, but classical music sounds unnatural
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static audio effector circuits into dynamic ones by introducing automatic level control (ALC) circuits with variable attack and release times. The system dynamically adjusts the audio signal processing based on the characteristics of the input signal, using two ALC circuits with different time constants to adapt to different music genres automatically, thereby achieving versatility without requiring manual tuning of complex circuit parameters.
2Reliability
If a dynamic audio effector circuit (amplitude expander) is used to expand amplitude differences, then the processing result is good for some music sources, but poor for classical music sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio processing function into two parallel ALC circuits with different attack and release time characteristics. One circuit handles fast transients typical of rock music, while the other handles slower dynamics typical of classical music. The outputs are combined to provide consistent quality across different music genres, resolving the reliability issue without sacrificing versatility.
3Speed
If an ALC circuit with fast attack time is used to respond quickly to amplitude changes, then transient response is improved, but the release time must be longer to avoid distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric time constant design in two parallel ALC circuits: one circuit uses a fast attack time with correspondingly long release time to capture quick transients, while the other uses a slower attack time with shorter release time for sustained notes. This asymmetric configuration allows the system to handle both fast and slow musical passages effectively, balancing speed and duration requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio effector circuit includes a first automatic level control circuit for processing an input audio signal into a first control-resultant audio signal, and a second automatic level control circuit for processing the input audio signal into a second control-resultant audio signal. The first automatic level control circuit has a first predetermined attack time and a first predetermined release time longer than the first predetermined attack time. The second automatic level control circuit has a second predetermined attack time and a second predetermined release time. The second predetermined attack time is longer than the first predetermined attack time. The second predetermined release time is substantially equal to the first predetermined release time. A subtracter operates for providing a difference signal representing a difference between the first control-resultant signal and the second control-resultant signal. An adder operates for adding the difference signal to the input audio signal.