Sound Analysis and Synthesis Using Impulse Response Convolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sound processing methods in music recording and mixing are labor-intensive and limit artistic freedom due to the need for manual experimentation and the homogenization of sound in contemporary rock albums, resulting in albums sounding mutually similar and fatiguing to listeners.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for real-time sound analysis and synthesis that copies timbral characteristics from one sound signal to another using impulse responses, allowing for the application of timbral nuances to generate output signals with specific sonic effects, including the use of 'pink noise' equivalent frequency spectra and convolution operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual mixing and experimentation methods are used, then sound quality can be adjusted, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound quality adjustmentVSAvoidrecording process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent copies timbral characteristics from a reference sound to a target sound using impulse response analysis. By extracting and applying impulse responses that capture the essential timbral features, the system automatically transfers desired sound qualities without requiring manual mixing experimentation, thus resolving the contradiction between sound quality adjustment and processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical mixing processes with automated digital signal processing. By using computational algorithms to analyze impulse responses and apply timbral characteristics, the system substitutes human-operated mechanical adjustment with automated electronic processing, improving productivity while maintaining sound quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If contemporary mixing methods are used, then recording completion is achieved, but albums sound mutually similar and fatiguing to listeners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording completionVSAvoidalbum sound differentiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively transferring specific timbral characteristics rather than complete sound copies. By analyzing impulse responses to extract particular timbral features and applying them selectively to different frequency ranges or time segments, the system maintains unique album identities while achieving efficient recording completion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes sound parameters by adjusting timbral characteristics through impulse response manipulation. By modifying parameters such as decay time, frequency distribution, and envelope characteristics in the impulse responses, the system creates differentiated album sounds while maintaining productivity in the recording process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If professional recording equipment is used, then recording quality is improved, but equipment cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording qualityVSAvoidequipment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent copies the essential timbral characteristics of expensive professional recording equipment through impulse response analysis. By capturing the acoustic signature and transfer functions of high-end equipment and applying them digitally, the system reproduces professional recording quality without requiring the physical expensive equipment, thus reducing device complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 the enhancement of sound recordings by applying timbral nuances in real-time, allowing for greater artistic freedom and differentiation of album sound, making them more appealing compared to competing albums, while reducing the need for manual experimentation.

Implementation Method 1

analyzing the input sound signal to determine its corresponding impulse response representative of a timbre of the input sound signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFourier transform:

Implementation Method 2

applying the impulse response to the processed second input sound signal to generate an output signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvolution:

Implementation Method 3

processing the second input sound signal into a form to which the corresponding impulse response is susceptible to being applied, wherein said processing includes generating a 'pink noise' equivalent frequency spectrum of the second input sound signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPink noise generation:

Data Source

PatentUS8907196B2Method of sound analysis and associated sound synthesis

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 VAINIALA MIKKO PEKKA

AI summary

A sound analysis and associated sound synthesis method is provided. A first input sound signal is received and analyzed, to determine its corresponding impulse response representative of a timbre of the input sound signal. A second input sound signal is received and processed into a form which the corresponding impulse response is susceptible to being applied, wherein the processing includes generating a “pink noise” equivalent frequency spectrum of the second input sound signal. The impulse response is applied to the processed second input sound signal to generate an output signal, wherein the output sound signal includes at least timbral nuances of the first input sound signal.