TITLE:
The Impact of Selected Parameters of a Modified Sampling Synthesis on the Result of Its Auditory Assessment
AUTHORS:
R. J. Delekta, L. J. Spale, M. Pluta
KEYWORDS:
Sound Synthesis, Sampling, Listening Tests
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics,
Vol.4 No.2,
February
17,
2016
ABSTRACT: One of the main shortcomings of standard
sampling synthesis is the very limited number of sound parameters that are
user-controllable. In the most general case, the user can choose a particular
pitch, duration, and amplitude. If the sampler allows control over articulation,
it simply switches from one sound sample to another. This makes fine-tuning of
musical performances demanding and time-consuming if not an impossibility
altogether. A synthesis system has been developed at the Academy of Music in
Krakow, Poland. It uses a large collection of samples that contain short sequences
of notes. The system implements a number of techniques to seamlessly connect recorded
sequences, to control note durations as well as the tempo and the dynamics
envelopes. Samples are automatically chosen, modified, and connected to keep
the recorded, natural note transitions intact. The system uses performance
rules to introduce variations into the regular playback akin to live
performances by musicians. A user can either control the parameters manually or
choose a desired expression and leave the particular decisions to the system.
However, it is necessary to examine which parameters have the greatest impact
on the listeners’ impression and determine useful values. 15 expert listeners
compared and evaluated variants of musical performances produced by the
synthesis system with different sets of parameters. The paper discusses a
selection of the examined parameters, the test methods employed and the results
obtained.