Comparison of methods of formant analysis
James F. Curtis, E. L. Allen, A. Paige · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1974
The use of inverse filter computer programs may now allow a more viable approach to frequency and bandwidth assessments of speech samples. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the efficacy of automatic spectral assessments. Two male subjects produced samples of the vowels /a/, /i/, and /o/, both in isolation and in /hVd/ and /hVn/ contexts. Samples were analysed both with Kay Sonagraph cross sections and with INFIL2, and LPC inverse filter program developed by Paige. This program essentially picks spectral peaks according to bandwidth specification of 300 Hz or less. An acoustic spectrum (amplitude vs frequency plot) is also generated by the program. Two inexperienced observers and one experienced observer made formant estimations from the program plots. In addition, the experienced observer made formant estimates from the Sonagraph amplitude cross sections. Spectral features which were identified mad the ranges of assigned spectral frequencies will be compared.