WinSingad: a real-time display for the singing studio

Area of Science:

• Vocal pedagogy
• Acoustic analysis
• Music technology

Background:

• Computer-based feedback is increasingly used in vocal training.
• Previous research suggests simple displays are most effective for singers.
• An innovative pilot project funded the development of a new display system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and implementation of an integrated real-time computer display for the singing studio.
• To evaluate the usefulness of computer displays in vocal training.
• To investigate the effectiveness of displaying multiple analysis parameters simultaneously.

Main Methods:

• Development of a specially-designed integrated real-time display system named WinSingad.
• Implementation of complementary analyses including fundamental frequency, spectrum, spectral ratio, and vocal tract area.
• Utilizing a panel-based design within a PC Windows environment for data visualization.

Main Results:

• The WinSingad system allows viewing of analysis parameters singly, multiply, or in combination.
• Illustrations of displays with pilot phase results indicate potential usefulness.
• The system integrates various acoustic analyses plotted against time.

Conclusions:

• The developed real-time display system shows potential for enhancing vocal training.
• Further evaluation is needed to confirm the relative usefulness of computer displays in the singing studio.
• The system's ability to present multiple acoustic parameters offers a comprehensive feedback tool for singers.