Abstract: A system for controlling digital effects in live performances with vocal improvisation is described. The system features a controller that utilizes several switches attached to clothing that is worn by an artist during a live performance. The switches activate a digital vocal processor unit that provides a dual mode, multi-channel phrase looping capability wherein individual channels can be selected for recording and replay during the performance. This combination of features allows a sequence of digital audio and video effects to be controlled by the artist during a performance while maintaining the freedom of movement desired to enhance the performance.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing a stereo effect when playing an audio file at a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a component extractor for extracting a mono component and stereo components from an audio signal and a gain controller for determining a signal ratio of the stereo components to the mono component and for controlling a stereo gain according to the signal ratio.

Abstract: A vehicle sound generator system is configured to generate a signal configured to drive one or more speakers produce sound waves simulating sounds associated with a desired engine type. The signal is based on one or more operating conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle sound generator system is configured to select sounds from a plurality of sounds based on the operating conditions of the vehicle. Each sound corresponds to a simulated sound of an engine operating in a respective gear. The vehicle sound generator system may generate the signal to drive the speakers to produce selected sounds to simulate shifting between the respective gears.

Abstract: A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data includes a plurality of inputs, a data storage, a display, an audio output, at least one processor, and a battery. The plurality of inputs includes a forward input, a play control input, and a play control input. The data storage stores compressed digitized audio data. The at least one processor is responsive to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs to convert selected compressed digitized audio data stored in the data storage for reproduction by the audio output and to provide information to the display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of generating a sound field effect is provided. The sound field effect generating apparatus may generate a frequency coefficient that is frequency-transformed from a direct signal, may generate a reflection signal from the frequency coefficient, may generate an output signal using the frequency coefficient and the reflection signal, and may perform an inverse-frequency transform of the output signal.

Abstract: A flexible microphone and amplification system is disclosed. The system includes a first end supporting a first device and a second end supporting a second device. A flexible portion connects the first end to the second end. The flexible portion is bendable and twistable and can be contorted into various shapes to support the first end and second end in various positions.

Abstract: A voice recognition device that recognizes a voice of an input voice signal, comprises a voice model storage unit that stores in advance a predetermined voice model having a plurality of detail levels, the plurality of detail levels being information indicating a feature property of a voice for the voice model; a detail level selection unit that selects a detail level, closest to a feature property of an input voice signal, from the detail levels of the voice model stored in the voice model storage unit; and a parameter setting unit that sets parameters for recognizing the voice of an input voice according to the detail level selected by the detail level selection unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a converted spatial audio signal, the converted spatial audio signal having an omnidirectional audio component and at least one directional audio component, from an input spatial audio signal, the input spatial audio signal having an input audio representation and an input direction of arrival. The apparatus has an estimator for estimating a wave representation having a wave field measure and a wave direction of arrival measure based on the input audio representation and the input direction of arrival. The apparatus further has a processor for processing the wave field measure and the wave direction of arrival measure to obtain the omnidirectional audio component and the at least one directional component.

Abstract: A test platform (11) for facilitating the selection of a sound configuration that is suitable for a target audio system that has a limited processing power (Pmax). During an objective selection of the configurations, the platform (11) adopts—from among a set of possible configurations—the sound configurations that are compatible with the available power (Pmax) of the audio system. Next, the platform (11) makes it possible for an integrator to test the sound rendering of each configuration adopted by enabling the selection of the number of virtual loudspeakers and the order (14.2) of the HRTF filters. For this purpose, the integrator can select different types of sound sources to which to listen. After listening to the sound rendering of different sound configurations, the integrator can select the configuration that is most suitable to the target audio system.

Abstract: A distorter is provided that allows a musician/sound engineer to affect the operation of a distortion circuit using a second musical instrument or a sound modifier, enabling the musician/audio engineer to vary the behavior of the distorter in real time. The invention enables a musician and/or sound engineer to achieve sounds and effects that are impossible to create using conventional distorters. The invention enables a user to provide a primary audio signal representing a musical instrument that is to undergo audio signal distortion; and to provide a secondary audio signal representing a sound modifier or a second musical instrument that is used to modify psycho-acoustic and/or musical effects of the audio signal distortion. An output signal is produced having substantially non-clipped parts for conveying the sound of the musical instrument, and having clipped parts for conveying psycho-acoustic and/or musical effects responsive to the second musical instrument or the sound modifier.

Abstract: A system for inducing an effect in a raw audio signal comprises a computing device for receiving a first audio signal and a second audio signal from a signal source, and the second audio signal comprises the first audio signal induced with an effect. The system further comprises logic that parameterizes the effect in the second audio signal into an artificial neural network (ANN).

Abstract: The invention relates a method and arrangement for presenting visual information responsive to an audio signal. A solution according to the invention comprises an audio detector (101) arranged to detect an arrival direction of the audio signal, a display device (103) arranged to generate visual information (108) indicating the arrival direction of the audio signal, and a position sensor (104) arranged to generate a position signal indicating a change of a rotational position of a display surface of the display device. The display device is arranged to update the visual information according to the position signal. The solution is able to generate a visual indicator that indicates a direction from which an audio signal having a limited temporal duration, e.g. a gunshot voice, has arrived with respect to a changing rotational position of the display surface.

Abstract: A system for synthesising sounds which allows the user to specify time varying functions for multiple partials. The partials can be cyclical waveforms, for example sine waves, or sampled sounds, or a mixture of each. Partials can be included in the resulting sound by summing, convolution or otherwise. Time varying functions can be specified for the amplitude, frequency or other characteristic of each partial. In some embodiments the resulting waveform can be displayed in various formats to assist with visualising the result of the synthesis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to enhance one or more low-frequency components and one or more medium-frequency components of an audio signal. The method includes performing filtering on the input audio signal using a plurality of band-pass filters, generating a plurality of harmonic-frequency signals using a plurality of audio signals resulting from the performing filtering operation, and mixing the plurality of harmonic-frequency signals with the input audio signal.

Abstract: A transient detector is provided for generating an ambience signal suitable for being emitted via loudspeakers for which there is no special loudspeaker signal to detect a transient period. A synthesis signal generator produces a synthesis signal which fulfills the transient condition on the one hand and the continuity condition for the synthesis signal on the other hand. A signal substituter will then substitute a portion of the examination signal by the synthesis signal to obtain an ambience signal for the surround channels.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of providing directive transitions between audio signals comprises associating a first/second browsing direction (A1, A2) with a first/second transition effect template. In response to a browsing action in one of said browsing directions, a transition is played in which an exit segment (S0-out1, S0-out2) and an entry segment (S1-in, S2-in) are mixed in accordance with the associated transition effect template. A further aspect proposes a method of transitioning between audio signals decoded from audio data including time markers encoded as audio metadata and indicating at least one section of the respective audio signal. The method includes retrieving time marking information in the audio data; extracting an exit segment (S0-out1, S0-out2) and an entry segment (S1-in, S2-in), wherein an endpoint of at least one of the segments is synchronized with a time marker; and playing a transition in which the exit and entry segments are mixed in accordance with a transition effect template.

Abstract: A sound pickup device includes a detector configured to detect attachment of an external apparatus, a sound pickup unit configured to pick up a sound and output a sound signal, and a noise processor configured to, in response to the detection of attachment of an external appliance, add a noise signal to the sound signal output from the sound pickup unit and output the sound signal including the noise signal added thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow participants in a networked virtual world to converse naturally as in a real-life situation. Each participant can hear “nearby” participants localized according to their positions in the virtual world, desirably with reverberation and environmental audio effects derived from properties of the virtual world.

Abstract: An audio processing apparatus and method for a mobile device are provided. The audio processing apparatus and method may appropriately determine sound source localizations corresponding to a voice signal and an audio signal, and thereby may simultaneously provide a voice call service and a multimedia service. Also, the audio processing apparatus and method may guarantee quality of the voice call service even when simultaneously providing the voice call service and the multimedia service.

Abstract: A sound modification system and a method of managing sound in a vehicle. The system includes an active noise reduction (ANR) controller, an engine sound enhancement (ESE) controller and a sound modification controller. When the vehicle is in a steady state driving condition, the sound modification controller activates the ANR controller and deactivates the ESE controller. In contrast, when the vehicle is in a non-steady state driving condition, the sound modification controller activates the ESE controller and deactivates the ANR controller. Preferably, when the vehicle switches between the steady state and non-steady state driving conditions, the sound modification controller activates and deactivates the ANR and ESE controllers at a rate that is not noticeable to a human. In summary, the system utilizes the ANR and ESE controllers to achieve an optimal passenger cabin experience for the driver during any driving condition.

Abstract: An active sound control apparatus includes a delay circuit for delaying the output of a frequency component of a sound effect by delaying an engine rotation frequency signal representative of an engine rotation frequency [Hz], a delay circuit for delaying the output of an amplitude component of the sound effect by delaying an engine rotation frequency change signal representative of an engine rotation frequency change [Hz/second], and delay circuits for delaying the output of all components of the sound effect by delaying a control signal for controlling the outputs of speakers.

Abstract: A DC battery powered sound effect pedal housing with sound effect circuitry mounted therein and a battery terminal connector for being connected to battery terminals for powering the circuitry, a base and an adapter frame removably mounted intermediate the housing and the base with the adapter having said frame and an adapter power cord mounted to frame for transmitting DC power to the battery terminal connector whereby a conventional DC battery power sound effect pedal is converted to one being powered from an online AC power source without physically changing the base and housing. A convention power cord is used be powered from an AC power source to provide a DC power output that is plugged into the jack of the adapter power cord.

Abstract: A method for integrated dynamic neural stimulation. The method can include selecting a tone for playback, adjusting the characteristics of the tone, selecting program options for modifying the playback of the tone, selecting an accompaniment to the tone, generating an audio program by combining the tone and the accompaniment according to the selected program options, and playing the audio program via an audio output device having at least a right channel and a left channel.

Abstract: A sound effect generating apparatus includes a delay unit for giving a delay to a sound effect output from a rear speaker depending on either an accelerator opening change which represents a change per unit time in an accelerator opening or the accelerator opening itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an audio signal has an envelope shape determiner, a filterbank processor, a signal processor, a combiner and an envelope shaper. The envelope shape determiner determines envelope shape coefficients based on the a frequency domain audio signal representing a time domain input audio signal and the filterbank processor generates a plurality of bandpass signals in a subband domain based on the frequency domain audio signal. Further the signal processor modifies a subband domain bandpass signal of the plurality of subband domain bandpass signals based on a predefined modification target. The combiner combines at least a subset of the plurality of subband domain bandpass signals containing the modified subband domain bandpass signal to obtain a time domain audio signal. Further, the envelope shaper is operative to obtain a shaped audio signal.

Abstract: A method of processing at least one input signal by a set of binaural filters such that the outputs are playable over headphones to provide a sense of listening to sound in a listening room via one or more virtual speakers, with the further property that a monophonic mix down sounds good. Also an apparatus for processing the at least one input signals. Also a method of modifying a pair of binaural filters to achieve the property that a monophonic mix down sounds good, while still providing spatialization when listening through headphones.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an audio signal includes a filterbank processor, a fundamental determiner, an overtone determiner, a signal processor and a combiner. The filterbank processor generates a plurality of bandpass signals based on an audio signal and the fundamental determiner selects a bandpass signal of the plurality of bandpass signals to obtain a fundamental bandpass signal. The overtone determiner identifies a bandpass signal of the plurality of bandpass signals fulfilling an overtone criterion regarding the selected fundamental bandpass signal to obtain an overtone bandpass signal associated to the selected fundamental bandpass signal. The signal processor modifies the selected fundamental bandpass signal based on a predefined modification target. Additionally, the signal processor modifies an identified overtone bandpass signal associated to the selected fundamental bandpass signal depending on the modification of the selected fundamental bandpass signal.

Abstract: A running-linked sound generation unit includes an order sound data generation unit, a random sound data generation unit, and a synthesis unit. The order sound data generation unit generates order sound data by changing the tone of basic order sound data according to a motor rotation speed of a vehicle. The random sound data generation unit generates random sound data by changing the volume of basic random sound data according to a motor rotation speed and an accelerator command value of a vehicle, without changing the tone of the basic random sound data. The synthesis unit generates synthetic sound data by combining synthesized order sound data and random sound data.

Abstract: An audio control apparatus is adapted for use with an external portable electronic device having display functionality, and includes a data storage device, an operation controller operable to access and process audio data stored in the data storage device, and to output information of the audio data, a user control device operable by a user to control operation of the operation controller, and a function expanding interface coupled to the operation controller and configured to transmit the information of the audio data for reception and subsequent display by the external portable electronic device.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a systems and methods for downloading one or more effects to an effects unit. One or more effects may be received. On an effects unit. Audio signals for the one or more effects may be processed based on instructions for processing the audio signals received with the one or more effects. For each subsequent effect received on the effect unit, the processing of the audio signals may be reprogrammed. The one or more effects may be transmitted for output from the effects unit.

Abstract: A sound field control device has an input part through which an audio signal is input. A storage part stores a first factor obtained by calculating a proportion of energy of direct sound in total energy of sound collected in an adjustment environment within a predetermined time. A sound field generation part generates a sound field effect sound from the audio signal input through the input part, and outputs the sound field effect sound at a volume corresponding to the first factor. A calculation part calculates a second factor which represents a ratio of an energy of a direct sound to an energy of sound which is collected in a reproduction environment and which contains the direct sound. A correction part corrects the volume of the sound field effect sound based on a ratio between the first factor and the second factor.

Abstract: A sine wave generating device includes at least one adder configured to add two input signals thereof, at least one delay unit configured to delay an input signal thereof by one sample time and at least one multiplier configured to receive the delayed signal from the at least one delay unit, multiply the delayed signal by a coefficient and output the multiplied signal to provide to the at least one adder. The coefficient is arbitrarily set from outside the sine wave generating device.

Abstract: A howling suppression device that can reduce quality deterioration of processed sound includes: a delay unit delaying the input signal to output the delayed input signal as a reference signal; a signal separation unit including an adaptive filter extracting a periodic signal component from the reference signal by adaptively updating a filter coefficient; a howling detection unit detecting an occurrence of howling using at least a signal of the periodic signal component output from the adaptive filter; and a howling suppression unit. The howling suppression unit includes: a suppression filter obtaining the updated filter coefficient from the adaptive filter with timing when the howling detection unit detects the occurrence of the howling, to extract the periodic signal component from the reference signal based on the filter coefficient; and a subtractor subtracting the periodic signal component from the input signal so as to output a signal obtained by the subtraction.

Abstract: A sound processor includes a conversion unit converts a reference sound signal corresponding to a base of sound to be output and an observation sound signal based on each of sound signals output by a plurality of sound receiving units into frequency components, an echo suppression unit estimates echo derived from sound based on a converted reference sound signal and suppressing the estimated echo in a converted observation sound signal, a noise suppression unit estimates noise based on an arrival direction of sound and suppressing the estimated noise in the converted observation sound signal and an integrating process unit suppresses, with respect to each frequency component, echo and noise in the converted sound signal based on a observation sound signal obtained after echo suppression and a observation sound signal obtained after noise suppression.

Abstract: A device designed to be plugged into an electric socket in a vehicle, which socket constitutes part of the electrical system of the vehicle, which device, without any other connection, is able to detect the engine speed of the vehicle and convert this information to sound signals. In at least one embodiment, the device includes at least one device for detecting electrical pulses resulting from the engine speed that are unintentionally emitted from the generator, electric motor or ignition system of the vehicle, in order to record the current engine speed. Further, in at least one embodiment, the device transmits, by way of radio waves, sampled/simulated or synthetically generated noise signals based on the electrical pulses to the radio receiver/sound system of the vehicle in order to play these in or around the vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the housing, an audio transducer carried by the housing, and a novelty voice alteration processor carried by the housing and coupled to the wireless transceiver and the audio transducer and configured to alter voice communications. For example, the novelty voice alteration processor may comprise a memory and a processor cooperating therewith to alter the voice communications.

Abstract: A user-friendly system for real time performance and user modification of one or more previously recorded musical compositions facilitates user involvement in the creative process of a new composition that reflects the user's personal style and musical tastes. Such a system may be implemented in a small portable electronic device such as a handheld smartphone that includes a stored library of musical material including original and alternative versions of each of several different components of a common original musical composition, and a graphic user interface that allows the user to select at different times while that original composition is being performed, which versions of which components are to be incorporated to thereby create in real time a new performance that includes elements of the original performance, preferably enhanced at various times with user selected digital sound effects including stuttering and filtering.

Abstract: An input indicates a request for rendering of an audio source in a clip of an audio track according to an effect. Further, a cloned audio source is generated. The cloned audio source is a copy of the audio source. A cloned effect is generated. The cloned effect is a copy of the effect. The cloned audio source is processed according to the cloned effect to generate a rendered output file. The rendered output file is played without processing the audio source according to the effect.

Abstract: CPU of a console accepts a full application activation instruction generated via an activation instruction switch. The CPU searches through all of apparatus of a mixing system, which the console belongs to, to detect any apparatus having connected thereto a USB dongle that has recorded therein an access key corresponding to an application program to be fully activated. If such an apparatus has been detected within the mixing system, the CPU places the application program in a fully activated state. If, on the other hand, no such apparatus has been detected, the CPU terminates a full application activation process. Such arrangements allows the application program, which requires authentication of the access key, to be executed with simple operation, while preventing unauthorized use of the application program.

Abstract: A speech recognition capability in which words of spoken text are identified based on the contour of sound waves representing the spoken text. Variations in the contour of the sound waves are identified, features are assigned to those variations, and then the features are mapped to sound constructs to provide the words.

Abstract: A method of emulating a sound of an audio apparatus by using a sound emulation apparatus includes obtaining k past samples (where k is a natural number that is equal to or greater than 1) by delaying a current sample of an audio signal; applying a plurality of characteristic functions indicating an input/output relationship of the audio apparatus to the current sample and the k past samples, respectively; and adding the current sample and the k past samples, to which the plurality of characteristic functions have been applied, respectively, to generate an emulation sound of the audio apparatus.

Abstract: A parametric description describing the wideness of a non-point sound source is generated and linked with the audio signal of said sound source. A presentation of said non-point sound source by multiple decorrelated point sound sources at different positions is defined. Different diffuseness algorithms are applied for ensuring a decorrelation of the respective outputs. According to a further embodiment primitive shapes of several distributed uncorellated sound sources are defined, e.g. a box, a sphere and a cylinder. The width of a sound source can also be defined by an opening-angle relative to the listener. Furthermore, the primitive shapes can be combined to do more complex shapes.

Abstract: In a sound effect applying apparatus, an input part frequency-analyzes an input signal of sound or voice for detecting a plurality of local peaks of harmonics contained in the input signal. A subharmonics provision part adds a spectrum component of subharmonics between the detected local peaks so as to provide the input signal with a sound effect. An output part converts the input signal of a frequency domain containing the added spectrum component into an output signal of a time domain for generating the sound or voice provided with the sound effect.

Abstract: A device is disclosed to provide balanced distortion in a musical instrument and to emulate the sound of a tube amplifier when overdriven. The device distorts, clips, and limits, selectively, an input audio signal. The circuit includes: an input stage to receive the input audio signal, remain linear, and maintain balanced outputs, and to split the input audio signal into an inverting, negative path and a non-inverting, positive path; an inverting, negative path balanced distortion circuit to receive an inverting, negative path input; a non-inverting, positive path balanced distortion circuit to receive a non-inverting, positive path input; and an output stage, wherein the output stage combines a pair of differential inputs to produce an output audio signal. The audio distortion circuit cancels incoming asymmetries in the output stage from the combined pair of differential inputs and produces the output audio signal as symmetric.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes a transformer simulator for simulating transfer characteristic of a transformer which changes in frequency characteristic depending on a load connected to the transformer and processing an input signal with the transfer characteristic to output the processed signal, and a load impedance simulator for simulating impedance characteristic of a predetermined load to output the impedance characteristic. The transformer simulator simulates the transfer characteristic of the transformer to which the load having the load impedance which is simulated by the load impedance simulator is connected.

Abstract: A spatial audio system for implementing a head-related transfer function (HRTF). A first stage implements a lateral HRTF that reproduces the median frequency response for a sound source located at a particular lateral distance from a listener, and second stage implements a vertical HRTF that reproduces the spectral changes when the vertical distance of a sound source changes relative to the listener. The system improves the vertical localization accuracy provided by an arbitrary measured HRTF by introducing an enhancement factor into the second processing stage. The enhancement factor increases the spectral differentiation between simulated sound sources located at different positions within the same “cone of confusion.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes: clip detector means that detects presence/absence of a clipped part with a deformed waveform in each of N audio signals output from N microphones (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) based on a dynamic range of a circuit; and interpolation means that treats an audio signal in the N audio signals which has the clipped part detected by the clip detector means as an interpolation target, and other audio signals as non-interpolation targets, and interpolates the waveform of the clipped part of the interpolation target using the waveform of at least one audio signal in the non-interpolation targets.

Abstract: An audio decoding method and apparatus and an audio encoding method and apparatus which can efficiently process object-based audio signals are provided. The audio decoding method includes receiving a downmix signal and object-based side information, the downmix signal comprising at least two downmix channel signals; extracting gain information from the object-based side information and generating modification information for modifying the downmix channel signals on a channel-by-channel basis based on the gain information; and modifying the downmix channel signals by applying the modification information to the downmix channel signals.

Abstract: A harmonic generating apparatus and the method are provided, which are used to enhance the quality of the bass audio signals. The method includes the steps of: providing a frequency signal having a present level and a preceding level; comparing the present level with the preceding level to generate a compared result; and generating the plurality of harmonics based on the compared result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for providing a personalized driving sound by using an active sound design. The system includes a sound design tool, a memory card, and an audio system. The sound design tool enables a user to create the driving sound. The memory card receives and stores the created driving sound from the sound design tool. The audio system outputs the driving sound stored in the memory card.