Signals, Sound, and Sensation

Designed to follow an introductory text on psychoacoustics, this book takes readers through the mathematics of signal processing from its beginnings in the Fourier transform to advanced topics in modulation, dispersion relations, minimum phase systems, sampled data, and nonlinear distortion. While organised like an introductory engineering text on signals, the examples and exercises come from research on the perception of sound. A unique feature of this book is its consistent application of the Fourier transform, which unifies topics as diverse as cochlear filtering and digital recording. More than 250 exercises are included, many of them devoted to practical research in perception, while others explore surprising auditory illusions generated by special signals. Periodic signals, aperiodic signals, and noise — along with their linear and nonlinear transformations — are covered in detail. More advanced mathematical topics are treated in the appendices. A working knowledge of elementary calculus is the only prerequisite. Indispensable for researchers and advanced students in the psychology of auditory perception.

"Signals, Sound, and Sensation" is of great importance to the hearing science community... If I were to give an advanced course, this is precisely the book I would recommend." —- W. Dixon Ward, University of MinnesotaThis is a unique book on the mathematics of signals written for hearing-science researchers. Designed to follow an introductory text on psychoacoustics, Signals, Sound, and Sensation takes the reader through the mathematics of signal processing from its beginnings in the Fourier transform to advanced topics in modulation, dispertion relations, minimum phase systems, sampled data, and nonlinear distortion. While the book is organized like an introductory engineering text on signals, the examples and exercises come from research on the perception of sound. A unique featre of the book is the consistent application of the Fourier transform, which unifies topics as diverse as cochlear filtering and digital recording. More than 250 exercises are included. many of them are devoted to practical research in perception, while others explore surprising auditory illusions generated by special signals. working knowledge of elementary calculus is the only prerequisite. Signals, Sound, and Sensation will help readers acquire the quantitaive skills they need to solve signal problems that arise in their everyday work. periodic signals, aperiodic signals, and noise- along with their linear and nonlinear transformations-are covered in detail. More advanced mathematical topics are treated in the appendices. In no other book are signal mathematics and psychoacoustics so neatly intertwined. Researchers and advanced students in the psychology of auditory perception willl find this book indispensable. FROM THE REVIEWS: AMERICAN SCIENTIST "...this scholarly yet eminent readable account is particularly welcome...It emphasizes not only advanced psychoacoustics concepts and measurement protocols but also provides a masterly treatment of mathematics of signals, from Fourier series to nonlinear distortion and Hilbert transforms, to name only a few of the subjects covered in considerable depth. It is remarkably successful in its simultaneous exposition of the analytical, physical and perceptual aspects of sound and hearing...this is a splendid book, well organized, copiously illustrated and pleasingly written." PHYSICS TODAY "Hartmann's many years of teaching acoustics and physics are evident in the confident manner in which he presents this material. He covers a wide range of topics in a clear, authoritative and easy-to-read style. The material is most appropriate for the student who has an interest in the science of hearing and who wishes to acquire familiarity with acoustics and signal theory...[It is] intended to be used as a text for a second course in psychoacoustics. For this purpose, the coverage of relevant topics is very thorough...The book would also be a useful reference for anyone interested in the study of auditory perception. Readers who already have an acquaintance with signal theory may appreciate the sensible style of the discussions of such psychoacoustic topics as loudness and pitch perception. As a hearing research scientist with a background in physics and electrical engineering, I appreciate the direct, accessible style of Hartmann's book and found it a pleasure to read. It should be considered by anyone wanting to teach signal theory to students with an interest in psychoacoustics." PHYSICS TODAY "...I found this to be a book with a lot of personality and distinctiveness. The writing style is clear, but very personal and seems to convey the deep interest of the author on the issues discussed. The book contains historical notes interspersed throughout the text, an interesting touch, and clearly separated from the main text to identify them as such. I would judge the book to be an important addition for anyone involved in research or teaching in psychoacoustics or hearing science."

Booknews

A textbook for a second course in psychoacoustics, the study of how a physical sound as described mathematically is transformed into the perception of sound as registered by a listener. Assumes a comfort with the concepts and practice of differential and integral calculus, but no prior study of differential equations, Fourier transforms, or linear algebra. Organized basically as an introductory engineering text on signals, but draws the examples and exercises from research on sound perception that hearing scientists would be familiar with and benefit from. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.