SPHL2212 - Exploring Sound Using Praat Assignment

Assignment Task

Objectives

This activity provides a framework for using Praat software to engage students in exploring real-world sound beyond what is covered in SPHL2212. By analyzing diverse sounds and applying practical signal processing techniques, students gain valuable insight into the science behind sound and hand-on experience in understanding the effects of some basic signal processing on sound and its perception.

Specific Learning Objectives

• Analyze basic physical properties of sounds (frequency, amplitude, duration).
• Understand the relationship between physical properties of sound and human perception
• Apply fundamental signal processing techniques (filtering) and analyze its effects on sound and its perception.

Materials

• A computer with Praat software installed. How to use Praat?
• Microphone(s) - this could be built into the computer, in your earphones, or independent recording mics; anything you have access to will do.
• Headphones or a means to connect audio from the device to any hearing assistive device you may be using (optional)

Recording & Analysis

You will have to make two recordings of similar duration, aim for approximately 10 seconds.

1. Non-speech sound: e.g., from musical instruments, environmental sounds, animal sounds

2. Speech sound: e.g., signing, someone speaking, podcast excerpt, etc Alternatively, you may also use freely available sounds on the internet (e.g., freesound)

Question

1. The type of sound, its qualitative and perceptual attributes,

a. Are there periodic elements in your sound? Is there any discernable pitch? If yes, quantify the frequency of pitch. Discuss what effect the periodicity and pitch has on your perception of this sound.

b. At a fixed level/volume in your audio player, how does the loudness change over the duration of the sound sample? Discuss what effect this has on your perception of this sound.

c. What is the timbre of the sound? Discuss what effect this has on your perception of this sound.

2. Based on the spectrogram (should be embedded in the write-up), describe which frequencies have the most energy and what may be its consequence on your perception of this sound? 

3. Apply a high-pass (Pass Hann Band in Praat) to remove frequencies below 2000 Hz, i.e., only allow frequencies above 2000 Hz, to both your sound samples discuss briefly how this filtering changed your perception of pitch, loudness, and timbre. Here you are essentially contrasting how the sound quality changed relative to your answers for Q1 and Q2.

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