Adam J. Hill

A hybrid virtual bass system for optimized steady-state and transient performance

Bandwidth extension of a constrained loudspeaker system is regularly achieved employing nonlinear bass synthesis. The method operates on the doctrine of the missing fundamental whereby humans infer the presence of a fundamental tone when presented with a signal consisting of higher harmonics of said tone. Nonlinear devices and phase vocoders are commonly used for signal generation; both exhibiting deficiencies. A system is proposed where the two approaches are used in tandem via a mixing algorithm to suppress these deficiencies. Mixing is performed by signal transient content analysis in the frequency domain using constant-Q transforms. The hybrid approach is rated subjectively against various nonlinear device and phase vocoder techniques using the MUSHRA test method.

Spatial distribution of underwater noise from a stationary sailing vessel

Few studies, regarding the contribution of vessel noise into the underwater soundscape, have investigated the noise contribution of smaller vessels or ambient noise levels present in coastal and in-shore waters. This study aimed to identify the level of noise common to non-commercial harbors (those intended primarily for the use of pleasure crafts, rather than merchant shipping or passenger terminals) by studying the noise emissions of a diesel generator on board a 70 m long sailing vessel. Propagation patterns revealed an unconventional shape (specific to the precise location of the noise source on board the vessel), unlike those of standard geometric spreading models, as typically assumed when predicting vessel noise emission. Harbor attributes (including water depth, ground sediment and structural material components) caused for altered level and frequency characteristics of the recorded underwater noise, and were correlated to the sound measurements made. The measurements (taken in eight harbors aroun...

The Good, The Bad, and The Distant: Soundscape Cues for Larval Fish

Coral reef noise is an important navigation cue for settling reef fish larvae and can thus potentially affect reef population dynamics. Recent evidence has shown that fish are able to discriminate between the soundscapes of different types of habitat (e.g., mangrove and reef). In this study, we investigated whether discernible acoustic differences were present between sites within the same coral reef system. Differences in sound intensity and transient content were found between sites, but site-dependent temporal variation was also present. We discuss the implications of these findings for settling fish larvae.

Individualized low-frequency response manipulation for multiple listeners using chameleon subwoofer arrays

Low-frequency acoustical responses are naturally position dependent across wide listening areas. This is predominantly due to room modes in small, closed spaces. Numerous methodologies have been proposed targeting room mode compensation to give an objectively even response across all listening locations. These techniques cannot guarantee, however, that every listener receives an equally pleasing subjective response. Chameleon subwoofer arrays (CSA) were originally developed to minimize low-frequency spatiotemporal variations by addressing frequency response errors at multiple listening locations using a subwoofer system consisting of multiple degrees of freedom. The CSA system can alternatively be utilized to control listening locations independently, allowing each listener to adjust their localized low-frequency response to their liking. This alternate CSA implementation is evaluated using a bespoke finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm for small home theater applications.