Abstract: A method for detection of an evoked response signal in noise including: generating a plurality of stimuli; receiving a noisy signal related to an evoked response to the plurality of stimuli; divide the noisy signal into a plurality of responses to the plurality of stimuli; estimate a statistic matrix for the plurality of responses; shrink the statistic matrix; calculate weights based on an inverse of the shrunk statistic matrix; apply weights to the plurality of responses to construct a final response; and output the final response. An apparatus having an input device configured to receive data related to a plurality of stimuli; and a processor configured to: receive a noisy signal and divide the noisy signal into a plurality of responses; estimate a statistic matrix; shrink the statistic matrix; calculate weights based on an inverse of the shrunk statistic matrix; and apply weights to the plurality of responses to construct a final response.