Hybrid Analog-Digital Audio Processing With DAW Plugin Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analog audio devices require manual parameter changes and lack efficient digital recall and storage of settings, leading to increased complexity and resource inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid system combining digital control plugins with analog audio processors (AAP) in a digital audio workstation (DAW) environment, integrating DSP functionality for digital signal processing and machine learning to automate and analyze audio signals, allowing seamless recall and control of both analog and digital settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If digital control plugin with DSP functionality is integrated into the DAW environment, then usability and functionality are enhanced with digital recall and automation capabilities, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control plugin and DSP plugin into a single integrated unit within the DAW environment. This merging allows the system to provide both control functionality for the analog audio processor and digital signal processing capabilities through one interface, enhancing usability while managing complexity through integration rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated plugin serves multiple functions: it controls the analog audio processor parameters, applies digital signal processing effects, provides digital recall of settings, and enables automation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate tools into a single universal interface
2Productivity
If machine learning subroutine is added to analyze user behavior and provide automatic settings, then productivity and ease of operation improve, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The machine learning subroutine enables the system to automatically analyze user behavior patterns and provide or apply settings without requiring manual configuration. This self-service capability allows the system to adapt to user preferences and automate complex processing decisions, improving productivity while the system manages its own complexity internally
3Device complexity
If DSP processing is performed in the DAW environment instead of analog hardware, then resource efficiency improves and heavy processing is unloaded from analog hardware, but audio quality may be compromised compared to pure analog processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio processing into two distinct parts: analog processing for the core audio signal path through the analog audio processor, and digital processing for auxiliary effects and heavy computational tasks in the DAW environment. This segmentation allows each part to operate in its optimal domain, maintaining audio quality while improving resource efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (2) for processing audio signals. In order to combine a variety of functions with good usability and high-quality audio, the systems comprises a computer (4) with a digital audio workstation (DAW) software installed, an audio interface (8) coupled to or integrated with the computer (4), an analog audio processor (AAP) hardware (10) coupled to the audio interface (8), such that a digital audio stream from within the DAW software can be converted, via the audio interface (8), to an analog audio signal, then routed through the AAP hardware (10) for fully analog processing and altering, then converted back, via the audio interface (8), to an altered digital audio stream and finally routed back to the DAW software, wherein the DAW software comprises an AAP plugin (16) which controls a number of audio processing settings of the AAP hardware (10) via a control connection (14) between the AAP plugin (16) and the AAP hardware (10), and wherein the AAP plugin (10) comprises a digital signal processor (DSP) subroutine (18) which is capable of applying digital audio effects on the previously altered digital audio stream, thereby further altering it digitally.