Apparatus for dynamic range compression of an audio signal
US5832444A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10L19/0208
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A dynamic range compression technique incorporates four novel concepts. The first is the use of a critical band multichannel structure for improved perceptual transparency. The second is the use of attack and release rates, instead of attack and release times, to affect gain control and adaptation of the compressor to changes in the input level. The third concept involves a level estimate control mode which permits increased adaptability using variable weightings of the contribution of both RMS and peak level estimates to gain control. Finally, the fourth concept involves the normalization of the level estimates to reduce or eliminate spectral distortion. These concepts provide a dynamic range compressor with improved perceptual transparency, especially with respect to music.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.