Timbral Ear Training

Timbre is a sound quality parameter that depends to a
large extent on spectral balance. Evaluation and
control of timbre require specific listening
abilities and is performed by an increasing number of
individuals involved in sound recording, composition,
and sound design. This book presents a
computer-assisted training method to develop memory
for timbre, sensitivity to timbre changes, and
effective listening strategies requiring disciplined
auditory attention. The method allows individual
practice and customization of training tasks.
Performance markers are compiled and used for
assessing skill level achieved by listeners. A
listening experiment involving the adjustment of
multiple peaks and dips in a sound's spectrum is
presented, in which the performance of a group of
experienced audio professionals was compared with a
group of student subjects with comparatively little
listening experience but who were trained with the
described method for a period of 6 months. Results
indicate that overall the experimental student group
outperformed the control group of professionals.
Suggestions for further improvements of the training
method and performance level assessment are proposed.

Autorentext

Dr René Quesnel is teaching technical ear training in thegraduate Sound Recording program at McGill University. He earneddegrees in Music, Sound Recording, and Music Technology. DrQuesnel is a member of the Audio Engineering Society and aresearcher at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in MusicMedia and Technology (CIRMMT) in Montréal.

Klappentext

Timbre is a sound quality parameter that depends to alarge extent on spectral balance. Evaluation andcontrol of timbre require specific listeningabilities and is performed by an increasing number ofindividuals involved in sound recording, composition,and sound design. This book presents acomputer-assisted training method to develop memoryfor timbre, sensitivity to timbre changes, andeffective listening strategies requiring disciplinedauditory attention. The method allows individualpractice and customization of training tasks.Performance markers are compiled and used forassessing skill level achieved by listeners. Alistening experiment involving the adjustment ofmultiple peaks and dips in a sound's spectrum ispresented, in which the performance of a group ofexperienced audio professionals was compared with agroup of student subjects with comparatively littlelistening experience but who were trained with thedescribed method for a period of 6 months. Resultsindicate that overall the experimental student groupoutperformed the control group of professionals.Suggestions for further improvements of the trainingmethod and performance level assessment are proposed.