SRA: A Web-based Research Tool for Spectral and Roughness Analysis of Sound Signals

SRA is a web-based tool that performs Spectral and Roughness Analysis on user-submitted sound files (.wav and .aif formats). Spectral analysis incorporates an improved Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) algorithm (1-2) and automates spectral peak-picking using Loris open- source C++ class library components. Users can set three spectral analysis/peak-picking parameters: analysis bandwidth, spectral-amplitude normalization, and spectral- amplitude threshold. These are described in detail within the tool, including suggestions on settings appropriate to the submitted files and research questions of interest. The spectral values obtained from the analysis enter a roughness calculation model (3-4), outputting roughness values at user- specified points within a file or roughness profiles at user- specified time intervals. The tool offers research background on spectral analysis, auditory roughness, and the algorithms used, including links to relevant publications. Spectral and roughness analysis of sound signals finds applications in music cognition, musical analysis, speech processing, and music teaching research, as well as in medicine and other areas. Presentation of the spectral analysis technique, the roughness estimation model, and the online tool is followed by a discussion of research studies employing the tool and an outline of future possible applications.

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