Spectral changes due to performance environment in singers, nonsingers, and actors

Area of Science:

• Speech and Hearing Sciences
• Acoustic Phonetics
• Vocal Performance Science

Background:

• Professional voice users' vocal behaviors may differ based on recording environments.
• Previous research has not fully explored the impact of acoustic settings on vocal production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether recording environments (sound-treated booth vs. auditorium) influence vocal behaviors.
• To compare vocal production differences across singers, actors, and nonsingers in varied acoustic settings.

Main Methods:

• Participants (nonsingers, singers, actors) were recorded in a sound-treated booth (IAC) and an auditorium (AUD).
• Recordings included reading in a normal voice (IAC, AUD1) and simulated performance (AUD2).
• Acoustic analyses focused on spectral and frequency/duration differences.

Main Results:

• Singers and actors showed significant spectral and/or frequency/duration variations between environments.
• Vocal differences were most pronounced in singers.
• Nonsingers did not exhibit significant environmental vocal changes.

Conclusions:

• The recording environment is a critical variable affecting experimental results for professional voice users, particularly singers.
• Future voice research must account for acoustic setting to ensure valid and reliable data.
• Understanding environmental influences is key for accurate vocal analysis and performance studies.