Features

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Continuous Spectrogram

One of the most useful features of the SpeechStation2 is a streaming spectrogram that runs continuously across the screen. Moving at a speed and bandwidth that the user can select, the real-time spectrogram captures and displays all of the information in a static spectrogram, at any of the SpeechStation2 window settings. The technique can be used while making a recorded file to note the time of occurrence of interesting phenomena, or simply to scan a recorded tape looking for certain features. If a file has not yet been recorded, judgments can be made about microphone placement, noise level, sampling rate and other details.

Another useful application of the continuous spectrogram is the comparison of reference speech to examples produced by a student. A teacher and student can alternate in production of a given phrase, for example, and observe the differences in their production, when ready, by stopping the movement of the spectrogram. The same method can be applied in studies of the singing voice, especially formant control or the clearly visible effects of tremolo or vibrato. The spectrum of machinery vibration can be observed while adjustments are made to the mechanism.

The continuous spectrogram is intended for use in the 16-bit color (65,536 color mode) and requires a computer with a CPU speed of at least 133 MHz; a 200 MHz CPU speed may be required to operate the continuous spectrogram at its highest speeds and sampling rates.