AES (Audio Engenering Society)
Budapest, Hungary, April 2012
‘On acoustic detection of vocal modes’ Eddy B. Brixen presentation of paper

Abstract:
On acoustic detection of vocal modes

Eddy B. Brixen and Cathrine Sadolin

According to the Complete Vocal Technique four vocal modes are defined: Neutral, Curbing, Overdrive, and Edge. These modes are valid for both the singing voice and the speaking voice. The modes are clearly identified both from listening and from visual laryngograph inspection of the vocal cords and the surrounding area of the vocal tract. For many reasons it would be preferred to apply a simple acoustic analysis to identify the modes. This paper looks at the characteristics of the voice modes from an acoustical perspective based on voice samples from three male and three female subjects. The paper describes frequency domain criteria for the discrimination of the various modes.