Spectral broadening can mask source identity while preserving loudness-time function

Evidence

In the procedure, the original sound, e.g. from a violin, is first analyzed by a Fourier-Time-Transform FTT as proposed by Terhardt. After spectral broadening, a sound is re-synthesized which shows the same spectral envelope and the same loudness-time-function as the original sound, but the information about the sound source is obscured. — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 1847

Categorization

• DEFINE: Describes the FTT-based perceptual processing technique used to separate source identification from loudness content.
• QUESTION: What exactly does ‘spectral broadening’ do perceptually — smear harmonic detail while keeping the spectral envelope intact?
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 1847
• XREF: connects to: Faster sound decay broadens spectral peaks in observed spectra; Long sound durations are required for narrow frequency spectra; Masking noise prevents listeners from using unintended spectral cues (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Faster sound decay broadens spectral peaks in observed spectra #expands (0.85)
• Rapid changes in a sound’s amplitude envelope force broader spectral bandwidth #expands (0.78) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 489
• Long sound durations are required for narrow frequency spectra #expands (0.75)
• Masking noise prevents listeners from using unintended spectral cues #corroborates (0.72)