OBSVAC Home General Information: • Equipment • The Director • Affiliate Scholars • Student Assistants Our Products: • Pedagogy tapes OBSVAC on the web: • Ribcage and Abdominal Movement during Singing • OBSVAC and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation		OBSVAC Equipment 1. Kay Elemetrics, DSP Sona-graph workstation, Model 5500 A spectrum analyzer which acquires, anlayzes and displays the voice in real-time. It displays spectograms (sonagrams), power spectra, waveforms, amplitude envelopes, fundamental frequency and other forms of analysis in color and/or gray scale. Am ideal tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis of vocal sounds. 2. Kay Elemetrics, Computerized Speech Lab (CSL), Model 4300 A powerful computer-based system for speech acquisition, analysis and playback. As an analyzer it provides spectograms, formant traces, pitch extractions, power spectrum analysis, LPC analusis and other useful functions. The CSL is designed as a companion for the DSP Sonagraph, Model 5500. 3. Kay Elemetrics, Aerophone II, Model 6800 A complete sustem for measuring air-flow and air pressure parameters. The software displays and prints graphical and numerical analysis of peak-flow, vital capacity, duration, phonation quotient, mean air-flow rate, loudest tone level, softest tone level, sound pressure level, ab-adduction rate, subglottal air pressure, glottal power, intraoral pressure, glottal efficiency, and glottal resistence. 4. Kay Elemetrics, Nasometer, Model 6200 Practical micro-computer based system for the measurement of nasality. 5. Laryngograph An electroglottograph used in non-invasive investigation of vocal fold behavior, Duration, velocity, and degree of vocal fold closure is visually represented by the Lx waveform. 6. Kay Elemetrics, RL5 9100 Rhino-Laryngeal Stroboscope Components: Two flexible endoscopes One rigid endoscope Rhino-Laryngeal Stroboscope The rhino-laryngeal stroboscope system provides professional voice users with a convenient and powerful means of examining laryngeal anatomy and vocal-fold physiology. Both constant and strobe light sources are provided for either general endoscopic viewing (nasal, nasopharyngeal, or laryngeal) or stroboscopic evaluation of the vocal folds during phonation. Both flexible and rigid endoscopes can be used with the system. During stroboscopy the rapidly vibrating vocal folds are illuminated with brief pulses of light. By detecting the pitch (fundamental frequency) of the vocal folds, the timing of these flashes can be regulated through electronic circuitry to produce an image of the vocal folds vibrating slowly to permit detailed observation of vocal fold movement, or "standing still" at various positions within the vibratory cycle. It is important to understand that the image viewed during the stroboscopic exam is not a continuous glottal cycle but a "fusion" of portions of successive cycles. By using stroboscopy, important dynamic aspects of phonations can be viewed clearly. 7. Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc., Respitrace Systems Model 10.9000 The Respitrace, a respiratory inductive plethysmograph, consists of two elastic bands with insulated wires (Respibands) wrapped around the rib cage and abdomen and connected to an Oscillator module and Calibration Unit. It measures rib cage and abdomen compartmental volume excursions through changes in self-inductance of the Respibands. The sum of these two excursions can be calibrated to a known volume with spirobag or spirometer. The sensors have insulated wire for self-induction monitoring with gold-plated contacts and come in various sizes. 8. Brüel & Kjær, Sound Level Meter, Type 2230 An integrated meter for measurement of SPL (Sound Pressure Level), Max., and Min., and SEL (Sound Exposure Level) 9. Hitachi, Oscilloscope V-525 A portable-type, advanced-class oscilloscope which displays the Lx waveform generated by the Laryngograph. 10. Spirometrics, SMI Spirometer, Model 2451 A portable, compact, lightweight spirometer that tests pulmonary functions. Helpful in determining a singer's VC (vital capacity) and MVV (maximal voluntary ventilation). 11. A recording/playback sound system which includes: Technics, Stereo Integrated Amplifier SU-V660 Sony, Cassette Deck TC-WR820 Sony, Compact Disc Player CDP-970 Technics, Automatic Turntable System SL-BD20 Tascam, Digital Audio Tape Deck DA-30 Aony, Stereo Center 230 (Reel-to-Reel Player) Sony, Microphone ECM-989 Symetrix, Dual Mic Preamp SX202 KEF, Power Speakers (s) Atus, Four Channel Phantom Power Supply CP8506 12. A recording/playback video system which includes: Proton, 27" Color TV Screen VT-296 JVC, Video Cassette Recorder HR-D860U JVC, Video Cassette Recorder HR-D600U Newvicom, Color Video Camera WV-3150 Sony, Video Camera Selector HVS-2000 Modern, TVLink RGB/NTSC converter Model 20 RGB Dynamics, Translator TR-1500 (on trial) 13. A collection of anatomical models and charts. Helpful in conveying accurate information regarding the physiology of the singing instrument. 14. Kay Elemetrics, DSP Sona-graph printer, Model 5510 A gray scale printer connected to the 5500 workstation. 15. IBM compatible microcomputer with an HP Desk Jet Supports CSL, Aerophone II and Nasometer operation. 16. Macintosh Iici microcomputer with an HP Desk Writer DSPSona-Graph Model 5500 The DSP Sona-Graph Model 5500 analyzes sound, using a multiple processor system. It converts acoustic signals into a superficial visual display, valuable for use in the study of vocal production. Ths Sona-Graph displays immediate, easily deciphered information of the acoustic signal. The accessibility of the machine makes it ideal for students and teachers to explore and further technical and pedagogical studies. Functions of the Sona-Graph Spectographic Display: This provides the subject with a visual readout of his/her phonation. The subject can view his/her phonation as it is being produced. Furthermore, the Sona-Graph can store a twelve second sample of sound, which can be viewed (and listened to) for later reference. The display is three-dimensional: the x- axis representing time, the y-axis frequency, and the z-axis amplitude. Presented on the display is a visual representation of the sung pitch, with the harmonic partials that accompany it. In addition, other factors such as vibrato rate are indicated. This enables the singer to compare his/her production of various vowels, view the exactitude of onset and release, and identify and analyze his/her strengths and weakness in over-all timbre production. The spectrographic display is also the reference display for selecting other analysis formats. Power Spectrum: This provides a more elaborate presentation of the information described in the Spectographic Display. However, the Power Spectrum analyzes only a selected group of data points from the Spectographic Display. Its x-axis represents frequency and its y-axis amplitude. The subject can easily locate the partials that have prominent energy concentration (i.e.) the singers formant). In a special function of the Power Spectrum, it is possible to isolate any portion of the twelve second display, and to receive an illustration of the average of all the Power Spectra in all instances of time in the selected period. This function is called the Average Power Spectrum, and gives the subject insight as to the degree of consistancy throughout his/her phonation. Waveform Display: This window illustrates the un-analyzed input waveform. The x-axis represents time and the y-axis voltage. Amplitude Display: This function shows the amplitude envelope and the waveform of the input signal, with the x-axis representing time and the y-axis sound level. Combination: This displays amplitude, "zero crossing," pitch tracking, and waveform analysis in one window. Zero crossing detects high frequency sounds by illustrating how often the waveform crosses zero. The pitch tracking is calculated by using a pitch detection algorithm. Waterfall Display: This is a spectrographic display with its axis rotated 90 degrees (the x-axis represents frequency, the y-axis time and the z-axis amplitude.) In addition, it lines up the spectrographic display with the simultaneous power spectrum, for easy analysis by the subject. CSL-Computerized Speech Laboratory CSL, Computerized Speech Laboratory, model 4300 is a flexible audio processing package designed to provide a wide variety of speech analysis operations. The graphical and numerical analyses are produced quickly by utilizing an on-board digital signal processing chip. By providing a real time graphical display of the singer's voice, the singer can then have better awareness as to how his/her voice could be improved. Used in conjunction with the Kay 5500, the CSL not only provides the functions of which the Kay is already capable, but it allows storage of the singer's voice for future study. Functions of the CSL Dual channel speech acquisition, disk storage, retrieval and playback with high sampling rates. Speech editing includes mixing, subtracting, digital filtering, adding, splicing, and down-sampling. Editing includes the ability to apply window weighting to the edges of splices for glitch-free cuts. Analysis routines include waveform, energy, FFT spectrum, spectrogram, LPC, formant histories and pitch. All analyses include both graphic and numeric analysis. Projects and current analysis uses: The CSL is currently used to calculate the formants of the singer's vowels in conjunction with the Kay 5500. The ability to do LPC on the FFT power spectrum on the CSL allows the researcher to accurately locate the formants. Other uses include the ability to expand and contract any particular section of the recorded voice, and to graphically demonstrate any inconsistencies within a sung passage. Aerophone II The Aerophone II is designed to measure vocal and respiratory functions. It records data by means of hardware transducers from hich the sstem's software documents these results. The software can then calculate parameters which leasure air-flow, air pressure, sound pressure level, and their interrelationships. Functions of the SP2 Vital Capacity: this measures the maximum amount of air that can be expelled fro the lungs after deep inspiration; this figure is used as a reference for other calculations. Peak Flow: This measures the maximum rate at which the subject can expel his/her Vital Capacity. Peak Flow registrations give information about the contraction of the expiratory muscles. Max. Sust. Phonation: This measures the maximum time span over which the subject can conserve his/her Vital Capacity during intonation. Most Comf. Phonation: This measures the rate at which the subject expels his/her Vital Capacity during intonation on comfortable pitch level. Maximum SPL: This measures the change in airflow during intonation as the subject crescendoes from a comfortable sound level to his/her loudest possible phonation. Minimum SPL: This also measures change in airflow during intonation; however the subject now decrescendoes from a comfortable sound level to his/her softest possible phonation. Changing SPL: This measures the change in air flow during intonation as the subject constantly varies the sound level. IPIPIPI (Voice Effect): This measures the pressure in any part of the supraglottic area for the vocal tract. From this, measurements of aerodynamic input power, voice efficiency, and glottal resistance can be calculated. Running Speech: This measures amplitude range, airflow, and pressure as the subject sings or speaks normally. Fast Ad/Abductions: This measures the rate at which the vocal folds approximate during phonation. Nasometer The Nasometer is used for measuring the nasalance of the singer's voice. Controlling the degree of nasalance is useful in assuring the singer to produce a desirable vocal timbre. By analyzing the singer's nasalance, the singer can improve the ability to control nasalance in the singing process. Functions of the Nasometer: Display functions: Time History: the time history display, also known as the Nasagram, shows masalance data across time. The vertical scale represents the nasalance percentages with 0% Masalance at the bottom of the scale and 100% at the top. Bar: The bar display represents the nasalance ratio on a vertical scale starting at the botto with 0% nasalance and moving upward toward the top to 100% nasalance. Stastistical Anaysis Functions: Mean: The mean nasalance of the sample between the left and right cursors. Std. Dev.: The standard deviation from the mean nasalance score. Time Rng.: The time range between the left and right cursor settings. Possible training exercises Using the Bar display on the Nasometer, resonance placement on the single phoneme productions can be easily monitored and trained. The Threshold (visual target) line can be set and moved according to the needs and capabilities of the individual client I order to provide visual feedback to valving behavior. The objective display of the singers performance records the nasalance score of a sustained sung phonation. This proves useful in reinforcing appropriate laryngeal valving behavior in the singer. Laryngograph The laryngograph analyzes vocal fold behavior non-invasively by running a small electic current through the larynx with two receptors. The current is affected by the vocal folds as they open and close, resulting in the output of a simple line graph. Functions of the Laryngograph Open-Closure Phase Display: by studying the line graph, the subject can determine how much open and closure phase the vocal folds pass through while vibrating. The subject can then determine whether the phonation is balanced, breathy, (too long an open phase) or pressed (too long a closure phase.) Sona-Match The Sona-Match program is a software addition for the Computerized Speech Laboratory (CSL) hardware system. It displays a real-time frequency response of the vocal tract configuration during the production of vowels and consonants. It provides the ability to plot the formant locations of an individual's vowels. The resonance during singing can also be displayed. Display functions: In frequency response mode, vowel formants are dislayed through linear predictive coding computations as "waves" moving through the display in real-time. Each "peak" represents a formant location of the highest frequency and intensity. These peaks, as they change over time, can be used to describe the configuration of the vocal tract. In the Vowel Chart Mode, the first and second formant locations of a sustained vowel are plotted against a chart of IPA characters arranged in circular fashion from lateral (front) to rounded (back).