Abstract:
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for allowing independent control of a formant position and inharmonic content in sound synthesis. In one aspect, this allows continuous shifting of the formant across a spectrum without producing any inharmonic spectral content. In a second aspect, this also makes it possible to generate sound with a defined inharmonic content amount and still move a formant position without changing the inharmonic content amount or to continuously change the amount of inharmonic content without significantly changing the formant position. The disclosed technology uses multiple modulators that are applied to a carrier signal by a weighted sum of their outputs.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to sound synthesis. 
         [0003]    2. Introduction 
         [0004]    Frequency Modulation Synthesis and Phase Modulation Synthesis—both commonly referred to as “FM Synthesis”—are well known and widely used. John Chowning first described the technique in his article “The Synthesis of Complex Audio Spectra by the Means of Frequency Modulation” in 1973. In one form, this type of modulation synthesis consists of two sine oscillators—one is called a “Carrier” and one a “Modulator”. An output signal of the modulator changes the phase or frequency of the carrier, and the carrier&#39;s output signal is used as an audio signal. 
         [0005]    The spectral content of such an FM configuration is controlled by the carrier frequency, the modulator frequency and the modulation intensity or amplitude. If carrier and modulator frequency are both integer multiplies of a common fundamental frequency, then the spectrum will be purely harmonic. Otherwise the spectrum will also have inharmonic content. Inharmonicity refers to an amount of inharmonic content in a spectrum. 
         [0006]    The ratio between carrier and modulator frequency has a strong impact on the frequency range that is most prominent. Continuously changing the modulator frequency by sweeping a formant through frequencies leads to wide areas of inharmonic sounds and only small regions of mostly harmonic results because, under current technology, the modulator/carrier frequency ratio and amount of inharmonic content in a spectrum are linked. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    This disclosed technology presents a method and system for modifying a conventional FM algorithm in a way that allows independent control of formant position and inharmonicity. In one aspect, this allows continuous shifting of a formant across a spectrum without leading to inharmonic spectral content. In a second aspect, this also makes it possible to generate sound with a defined inharmonicity and still move a formant position without changing that inharmonicity or to continuously change the amount of inharmonicity without significantly changing the formant position. 
         [0008]    The disclosed technology uses multiple modulators, instead of just one, that are applied to the carrier&#39;s signal by a weighted sum of their outputs. In one aspect, the weighted sum is calculated by applying a window function to the multiple modulators. In one example, when inharmonicity is set to zero, these modulators are tuned to adjacent multiples of the carrier frequency. The window function can pronounce contributions of the modulators around a desired formant position. To introduce inharmonicity, the modulators can be detuned simultaneously by a predetermined amount, typically within a fraction of the carrier frequency. 
         [0009]    The disclosed technology can be combined with further extensions to an FM cell, e.g. having multiple modulation paths, using a mixture of carrier and modulator as audio output, and using more complex waveforms for a carrier and/or a modulator (e.g. using asymmetrically modified variations of a sine wave). 
         [0010]    Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the principles briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example system embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a spectrum of a modulator for different modulator/carrier frequency ratios; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate a modulator spectrum with a varied formant position and inharmonicity set to 0.0; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a modulator spectrum with a first formant position and varied inharmonicity; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates the modulator spectrum of  FIG. 4  with a second fixed formant position and varied inharmonicity; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates useful sine wave modifications for use with the disclosed technology; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example system embodiment; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example method embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
         [0021]    The present disclosure addresses the need in the art for independent control of formant position and inharmonicity in sound synthesis. A brief introductory description of a basic general-purpose system or computing device is shown in  FIG. 1 , which can be employed to practice the concepts is disclosed herein. A more detailed description of allowing independent control of formant position and inharmonicity in sound synthesis will then follow. The disclosure now turns to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary system  100  includes a general-purpose computing device  100 , including a processing unit (CPU or processor)  120  and a system bus  110  that couples various system components including the system memory  130  such as read only memory (ROM)  140  and random access memory (RAM)  150  to the processor  120 . The system  100  can include a cache  122  of high speed memory connected directly with, in close proximity to, or integrated as part of the processor  120 . The system  100  copies data from the memory  130  and/or the storage device  160  to the cache  122  for quick access by the processor  120 . In this way, the cache  122  provides a performance boost that avoids processor  120  delays while waiting for data. These and other modules can control or be configured to control the processor  120  to perform various actions. Other system memory  130  may be available for use as well. The memory  130  can include multiple different types of memory with different performance characteristics. It can be appreciated that the disclosure may operate on a computing device  100  with more than one processor  120  or on a group or cluster of computing devices networked together to provide greater processing capability. The processor  120  can include any general purpose processor and a hardware module or software module, such as module  1   162 , module  2   164 , and module  3   166  stored in storage device  160 , configured to control the processor  120  as well as a special-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporated into the actual processor design. The processor  120  may essentially be a completely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores or processors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processor may be symmetric or asymmetric. 
         [0023]    The system bus  110  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. A basic input/output (BIOS) stored in ROM  140  or the like, may provide the basic routine that helps to transfer information between elements within the computing device  100 , such as during start-up. The computing device  100  further includes storage devices  160  such as a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, tape drive or the like. The storage device  160  can include software modules  162 ,  164 ,  166  for controlling the processor  120 . Other hardware or software modules are contemplated. The storage device  160  is connected to the system bus  110  by a drive interface. The drives and the associated computer readable storage media provide nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computing device  100 . In one aspect, a hardware module that performs a particular function includes the software component stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardware components, such as the processor  120 , bus  110 , display  170 , and so forth, to carry out the function. The basic components are known to those of skill in the art and appropriate variations are contemplated depending on the type of device, such as whether the device  100  is a small, handheld computing device, a desktop computer, or a computer server. 
         [0024]    Although the exemplary embodiment described herein employs the hard disk  160 , it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of computer readable media which can store data that are accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random access memories (RAMs)  150 , read only memory (ROM)  140 , a cable or wireless signal containing a bit stream and the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals per se. 
         [0025]    To enable user interaction with the computing device  100 , an input device  190  represents any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphical input, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An output device  170  can also be one or more of a number of output mechanisms known to those of skill in the art, such as a speaker for generating sound. In some instances, multimodal systems enable a user to provide multiple types of input to communicate with the computing device  100 . The communications interface  180  generally governs and manages the user input and system output. There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardware arrangement and therefore the basic features here may easily be substituted for improved hardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed. 
         [0026]    For clarity of explanation, the illustrative system embodiment is presented as including individual functional blocks including functional blocks labeled as a “processor” or processor  120 . The functions these blocks represent may be provided through the use of either shared or dedicated hardware, including, but not limited to, hardware capable of executing software and hardware, such as a processor  120 , that is purpose-built to operate as an equivalent to software executing on a general purpose processor. For example the functions of one or more processors presented in  FIG. 1  may be provided by a single shared processor or multiple processors. (Use of the term “processor” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software.) Illustrative embodiments may include microprocessor and/or digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM)  140  for storing software performing the operations discussed below, and random access memory (RAM)  150  for storing results. Very large scale integration (VLSI) hardware embodiments, as well as custom VLSI circuitry in combination with a general purpose DSP circuit, may also be provided. 
         [0027]    The logical operations of the various embodiments are implemented as: (1) a sequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or procedures running on a programmable circuit within a general use computer, (2) a sequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or procedures running on a specific-use programmable circuit; and/or (3) interconnected machine modules or program engines within the programmable circuits. The system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  can practice all or part of the recited methods, can be a part of the recited systems, and/or can operate according to instructions in the recited non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Such logical operations can be implemented as modules configured to control the processor  120  to perform particular functions according to the programming of the module. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates three modules Mod 1   162 , Mod 2   164  and Mod 3   166  which are modules configured to control the processor  120 . These modules may be stored on the storage device  160  and loaded into RAM  150  or memory  130  at runtime or may be stored as would be known in the art in other computer-readable memory locations. 
         [0028]    The output of a basic FM synthesis configuration with one carrier and one modulator is: 
         [0000]      sin(2πf c t+I sin(2πf m t))
 
         [0029]    In this output formula, f c  denotes carrier frequency, f m  denotes modulator frequency and I denotes the so-called modulation Index—the depth of the phase modulation. Furthermore, “t” denotes time, that in a digital implementation is typically expressed as an integer sample position. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates a spectrum of a modulator for different modulator/carrier frequency ratios. More specifically  FIG. 2  illustrates a modulator/carrier frequency ratio 3.0 with a solid line, which is purely harmonic and has no inharmonic content.  FIG. 2  also illustrates a modulator/carrier frequency ratio of 3.5 with a dashed line and 3.75 with a dotted line which each includes a combination of harmonic and non-harmonic signals. The ratio between carrier and modulator frequency has a strong impact on the frequency range that is most prominent. But in classic FM/PM synthesis there is no way of smoothly sweeping this pronounced frequency (formant) without running through areas that result in inharmonic output spectra. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 3A-3C , illustrate a modulator spectrum with a varied formant position and inharmonicity set to  0 . 0  according to principles of the disclosed technology. 
         [0032]    In the following examples of  FIGS. 3A-3C ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 , three sine wave signals (modulators) are used to build a summed modulator signal output, but it would also be possible to use more or less modulators and also to use signals other than pure sine waves. 
         [0033]    In one example, an output signal with three sine components for the modulator can be calculated with the following values: 
         [0034]    i h  (Inharmonicity, typically between 0.0 (harmonic) and 1; 
         [0035]    F (format position, defines position of most pronounced part in the spectrum); 
         [0036]    F r =floor(F+0.5) (formant position rounded); 
         [0037]    F f =F-F, (fractional part of formant position); and 
         [0038]    W( )(weighting function or window function, e.g. raised cosine window with width of 3*f c ). 
         [0039]    The following formula provides one example method for generating a weighted sum output for multiple modulators: 
         [0000]      sin(2π f   c   t+I ( W ( F   f −1)sin(2π( i   h   +F   f   − 1   ) f   c   t ))+( W ( F   f )sin(2π( i   h   +F   f ) f   c   t ))+( W ( F   f +1)sin(2π( i   h   +F   f +1) f   c   t )))
 
         [0040]    As in the classical FM case, f c  denotes carrier frequency, I modulation index and “t” time. The window function W is a raised cosine window in this example, but any other windowing functions can be substituted. 
         [0041]    In signal processing, a window function (also known as weighting function) is a mathematical function that is zero-valued outside of some chosen interval. When another function or one or more signals (data) is multiplied by a window function, the product is also zero-valued outside the interval: all that is left is the part where they overlap (the “view through the window). Spectral analysis and filter design can be accomplished using window functions. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a modulator spectrum with a formant position of 3.0 and inharmonicity set to 0.0. This example shows three modulators contributing to a summed output. A first modulator&#39;s formant position or output signal frequency ratio is 2.0. A second modulator&#39;s formant position is  3 . 0 . A third modulator&#39;s formant position is 4.0. As illustrated in this example, a raised cosine window function is applied to the modulators to pronounce contributions of the modulators around a desired formant position of 3.0. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the modulator spectrum with a formant position of 3.5 and inharmonicity set to 0.0. This example shows two modulators contributing to a summed output. A first modulator&#39;s formant position or output signal frequency ratio is 3.0. A second modulator&#39;s formant position is 4.0. As illustrated in this example, a raised cosine window function is applied to the modulators to pronounce contributions of the modulators around the desired formant position of 3.5. In this case, only two modulators are needed because the raised cosine window intercepts the f/f0 axis at exact integer positions as shown. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3C  illustrates the modulator spectrum with a formant position of 3.75 and inharmonicity set to 0.0. This example shows three modulators contributing to a summed output. A first modulator&#39;s formant position or output signal frequency ratio is 3.0. A second modulator&#39;s formant position is 4.0. A third modulator&#39;s formant position is 5.0. As illustrated in this example, a raised cosine window function is applied to the modulators to pronounce contributions of the modulators around the desired formant position of 3.75. 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  illustrates a modulator spectrum with a first formant position and varied inharmonicity.  FIG. 4  illustrates the modulator spectrum with a formant position of 3.0 and inharmonicity set to 0.0. This example shows three modulators, in solid lines, contributing to a summed output. A first modulator&#39;s formant position or output signal frequency ratio is 2.0. A second modulator&#39;s formant position is 3.0. A third modulator&#39;s formant position is 4.0. As illustrated in this example, a raised cosine window function is applied to the modulators to pronounce contributions of the modulators around the desired formant position of 3.0. In one example, the formant positions are shifted to accommodate a desired amount of inharmonicity. 
         [0046]    For example,  FIG. 4  illustrates the modulator spectrum with a formant position of 3.0 and inharmonicity set to 0.25. This example shows three modulators, in dashed lines, contributing to a summed output. A first modulator&#39;s formant position or output signal frequency ratio is 2.25. A second modulator&#39;s formant position is 3.25. A third modulator&#39;s formant position is 4.25. As illustrated in this example, a raised cosine window function is applied to the modulators to pronounce contributions of the modulators around the desired formant position of 3.0. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  also illustrates the modulator spectrum with a formant position of 3.0 and inharmonicity set to 0.50. This example shows two modulators, in dotted lines, contributing to a summed output. A first modulator&#39;s formant position or output signal frequency ratio is 2.5. A second modulator&#39;s formant position is 3.5. As illustrated in this example, a raised cosine window function is applied to the modulators to pronounce contributions of the modulators around the desired formant position of 3.0. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  illustrates the modulator spectrum of  FIG. 4  with a second fixed formant position and varied inharmonicity. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  illustrates the modulator spectrum with a formant position of 3.25 and inharmonicity set to 0.0. This example shows three modulators, in solid lines, contributing to a summed output. A first modulator&#39;s formant position or output signal frequency ratio is 2.0. A second modulator&#39;s formant position is 3.0. A third modulator&#39;s formant position is 4.0. As illustrated in this example, a raised cosine window function is applied to the modulators to pronounce contributions of the modulators around the desired formant position of 3.25. In one example, the formant positions are shifted to accommodate a desired amount of inharmonicity. 
         [0050]    For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates the modulator spectrum with a formant position of 3.25 and inharmonicity set to 0.25. This example shows three modulators, in dashed lines, contributing to a summed output. A first modulator&#39;s formant position or output signal frequency ratio is 2.25. A second modulator&#39;s formant position is 3.25. A third modulator&#39;s formant position is 4.25. As illustrated in this example, a raised cosine window function is applied to the modulators to pronounce contributions of the modulators around the desired formant position of 3.25. 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  also illustrates the modulator spectrum with a formant position of 3.25 and inharmonicity set to 0.50. This example shows three modulators, in dotted lines, contributing to a summed output. A first modulator&#39;s formant position or output signal frequency ratio is 2.5. A second modulator&#39;s formant position is 3.5. A third modulator&#39;s formant position is 4.5. As illustrated in this example, a raised cosine window function is applied to the modulators to pronounce contributions of the modulators around the desired formant position of 3.25. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  illustrates useful sine wave modifications for use with the disclosed technology. The possible palette of generated sounds can be increased even further when using other waveforms than pure sine waves. In some embodiments, it may helpful to use continuous algorithmic modifications of a sine wave, like those illustrated in FIG.  6 ., which introduce an asymmetry while keeping the basic shape of a sine wave. Other useful sine wave modifications are possible as well, like splitting the rising and falling slopes at minimum and maximum, scaling the slope horizontally, and inserting a plateau as +1 and −1 to fill the gaps between the shortened slopes. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example system embodiment  700  for providing independent control of formant position and inharmonic content in sound synthesis. The system includes a carrier signal generator  702 . The system includes a first modulator  706 , second modulator  708 , and third modulator  710 . Each modulator is tuned to an adjacent multiple of the carrier signal&#39;s frequency. The system includes a processor  712 . The system includes a first module  714  configured to control the processor  712  to generate a weighted sum output  704  by applying a window function to the multiple modulators. The window function is configured to pronounce contributions of the modulators around a desired formant position. The example system includes a second module  716  configured to control the processor  712  to apply the weighed sum output  704  to the carrier signal  702 . In one example, each modulator is detuned by a predetermined amount to introduce a predetermined amount of inharmonic content. In one example, the applied window function is a raised cosine window, rectangular window, or triangular window. 
         [0054]    The disclosure now turns to the exemplary method embodiment  800  shown in  FIG. 8 . The steps outlined herein are exemplary and can be implemented in any combination thereof, including combinations that exclude, add, or modify certain steps. The method includes generating a weighted sum output ( 802 ) by applying a window function to multiple modulators. The method then includes applying the weighted sum output to a carrier signal ( 804 ). The carrier signal with the weighted sum output applied to it will create sounds. A user can then independent modify the formant position and inharmonicity of these sounds. 
         [0055]    In one example, each modulator is tuned to an adjacent multiple of the carrier signal&#39;s frequency. In a further example, each modulator is detuned by a predetermined amount to introduce a predetermined amount of inharmonicity. 
         [0056]    Generating the weighted sum output ( 802 ) can include applying a window function to the multiple modulators, the window function configured to pronounce contributions of the modulators around a desired formant position. Examples of window functions include a raised cosine window, rectangular window, and triangular window. 
         [0057]    Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also include tangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such non-transitory computer-readable storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer, including the functional design of any special purpose processor as discussed above. By way of example, and not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions, data structures, or processor chip design. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or combination thereof) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of the computer-readable media. 
         [0058]    Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Computer-executable instructions also include program modules that are executed by computers in stand-alone or network environments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, objects, and the functions inherent in the design of special-purpose processors, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of the program code means for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps. 
         [0059]    Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by local and remote processing devices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, or by a combination thereof) through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. 
         [0060]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. For example, any window function can be utilized to determine a weighted sum output for multiple modulators. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the principles described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.