Bark scale

Bark scale

The Bark scale is a psychoacoustical scale proposed by Eberhard Zwicker in 1961. It represents a method to quantify the frequency bands of the human hearing system. The scale is named after Heinrich Barkhausen, who proposed the first subjective measurements of loudness. The Bark scale divides the audible frequency range into 24 critical bands, with each band corresponding to a specific range of frequencies perceived as equivalent by the human ear. This scale is particularly useful in the fields of psychoacoustics, acoustics, and audio engineering, as it provides a more accurate representation of human hearing compared to the linear frequency or the logarithmic Mel scale.

Overview

The human ear perceives different frequencies in a non-linear manner, meaning that our perception of pitch does not change linearly with frequency. The Bark scale accounts for this non-linearity by dividing the audible spectrum into segments that correspond to the ear's critical bands. Each band on the Bark scale covers a frequency range within which sounds are perceived as having the same pitch. This makes the Bark scale a valuable tool for analyzing sound in a way that more closely aligns with human hearing.

Applications

The Bark scale is widely used in various applications, including audio compression algorithms, noise reduction techniques, and the development of hearing aids. It helps in the design of audio equipment and algorithms that are more efficient and effective by taking into account the way humans perceive sound. For example, in MP3 and other audio compression formats, the Bark scale is used to allocate bits more efficiently, giving more weight to the frequency bands that are more critical to human perception.

Comparison with Other Scales

While the Bark scale is similar to the Mel scale in that both are psychoacoustical scales designed to reflect human hearing, they differ in their specific divisions of the frequency range. The Mel scale is often used in speech processing, particularly in the development of speech recognition systems, whereas the Bark scale finds broader application in general audio processing and psychoacoustics research.

Calculation

The frequency bands of the Bark scale can be calculated using various formulas, with one of the most common being the Traunmüller formula. This formula provides an approximation of the Bark value for a given frequency, facilitating the conversion between frequency in Hertz and critical band rate in Barks.

Conclusion

The Bark scale is a crucial concept in psychoacoustics, providing insights into how humans perceive sound. Its application across various fields of audio technology underscores its importance in designing systems and algorithms that align with human auditory perception.

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