Absolute amplitudes and spectra of certain musical instruments and orchestras

Abstract

Measurements made on instruments and orchestras, during the playing of selections, include average amplitudes in long intervals (15 seconds) and distribution of peaks in very short intervals (one-eighth second). Octave and half-octave bands are measured, as well as unfiltered music. The instruments tested were selected as possibly contributing extreme frequencies and amplitudes. Calculations of peak acoustic powers range as high as 27 watts.Although different techniques would be applied today, such as the use of a recorded tape to insure exact duplication of a selection as different frequency bands are explored, and the measurement of rms rather than average amplitudes, it is nevertheless felt that the measurements were reasonably accurate . The type of presentation, however, left something to be desired. Both kinds of curves will be found here in new forms. For the peaks, the plan used later in presenting similar data on speech1 has been adopted. The average amplitudes are reduced to a per-cycle basis in a different manner. Both types are plotted in absolute rather than relative units, and are reduced to a common distance. The table of peak powers is recalculated, using the same assumptions as before, but making the estimate for the 1 per cent level of intervals, in all cases. All new reductions and calculations are made from the original measured data.

Dynamic Range Across Music Genres and the Perception of Dynamic Compression in Hearing-Impaired Listeners

“…Further research is required to analyze the acoustic properties in these auditory scenes and to adjust the dynamic compression in hearing aids accordingly. An ongoing challenge for hearing aids is the processing of high-level peaks that are often experienced in live music (e.g., Ahnert, 1984 ; Cabot, Center, Roy, & Lucke, 1978 ; Fielder, 1982 ; Sivian, Dunn, & White, 1931 ; Wilson et al., 1977 ; Winckel, 1962 ).…”

Dynamic Range for Speech Materials in Korean, English, and Mandarin: A Cross-Language Comparison

“…In the analysis used by Dunn and White, the signals were passed through a filter bank comprising analog infinite-impulse response (IIR) filters. Frequency analysis was provided by a bank of digital 21-pole IIR Butterworth filters at the same center frequencies as used for the SII critical-band procedure, and the filter order was chosen to replicate the frequency response shown in Figure 2 of Sivian, Dunn, and White (1931). To assess the effects of the differences in procedures, the measurements presented in this article were compared with a digital simulation of the Dunn and White (1940) approach.…”

Basic Considerations for Loudness-Based Analysis of Room Impulse Responses

“…With regard to the long term spectrum of music, Sivian et al [10] conducted a pioneering study of the spectral distribution of live music, and McKnight [11], Bauer [12] and Greiner and Eggers [13] carried out the major studies of the spectral distribution of recorded music. McKnight [11] investigated the highest peak amplitudes of music using VU meter readings.…”