Convention Paper
Multi-Dimensional Audio Measurements Using Digital Signal Processing Techniques
AES Convention 59 · Paper 1326 · February 1978
Abstract
A number of previously difficult and expensive measurements as well as totally new measurements have been experimentally implemented using a new digital signal processor coupled to a calculator and plotter. Among the measurements tested in practice are cumulative attack and decay spectra (in 3-D), energy density, vs. time (as suggested by Heyser), amplitude and slew rate distributions of typical music and speech, instantaneous amplitude vs. slew rate plots, group delay, nonminimum phase, distortion as a function of time, 3-D vector representation of distortion components, distortion tests using asymmetrical transients. TIM and BIM (bass intermodulation). The problems of data presentation, data reduction, and interpretation are studied. The goal is to arrive at a set of measurements that will be easy to implement at a reasonable cost and also be easy to interpret and correlate to subjective parameters. Given the exponential advances in digital technology - this will be possible in the foreseeable future - provided that we know what the relevant measurements are.
