Here is a spreadsheet that implements a very simple source-filter model. The source is an impulse train, and you can change its fundamental period. The filter has three coefficients, which you can also change. Explore these parameters and see what effect they have on the output from the filter.
- Apple Numbers format which is preferred because it provides sliders to change the values
- Excel format in which you need to change the values by typing new values the cells. Try values for the fundamental period between 2 and 50, and values for the filter co-efficients between -1 and 1.
Once you understand how it works, test your understanding by extending the filter to have 4 co-efficients.
Links
- There is some great material from Rice University on how the auditory system works.
- A Java applet to generate any signal by summing together sine waves
After finishing this module, you may want to look at the optional foundation material on Phonetics.
