3PASS flex: New Background Noise Simulation System for Multi-Microphone Arrangements

3PASS flex is HEAD acoustics new simulation system for measuring speech quality performance in the presence of background noise. It is particularly suited for testing multi-microphone systems, microphone arrays or beamforming microphones in real world conditions where multi-point noise simulation with flexible microphone and loudspeaker arrays is required. 3PASS flex reproduces any previously recorded sound field at distinct microphone positions, representative of typical use cases.

HEAD acoustics is promoting a new series of complimentary web based seminars focusing on voice quality. Running every week until May 24, 2017, these one hour sessions are designed to provide short but focused information on voice quality topics that are normally not taught in college level classes. Anyone interested in learning more about the fundamentals of voice quality testing is invited to attend.

Speech and audio quality specialists, HEAD acoustics GmbH from Herzogenrath, Germany, will be presenting its range of solutions at the Mobile World Congress (​​February 27 to March 2, 2017). Like many key development technology companies, HEAD acoustics will use the Barcelona show to demonstrate a new evaluation software of VoCAS (Voice Control Analysis System), as well as an update of its communication analysis software ACQUA 3.5.100.

HEAD acoustics introduced its new 3PASS Accurate Background Noise simulation solution to measure the true performance of noise suppression algorithms in voice-controlled speakers, multi-microphone handheld communication devices, headsets with Active Noise Cancellation, etc. The system allows manufacturers to record and playback any sound field that is representative of typical use cases, and gauge how well their products perform in real world conditions.

German company HEAD acoustics launched VoCAS (Voice Control Analysis System), an efficient software analysis solution for evaluating speech recognition systems. From voice control in vehicles to the use of speech commands for smartphones, tablets or telephone hotlines, VoCAS allows quick and objective quality evaluation, under realistic and repeatable test conditions, of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems, found in an increasing number of applications today.

Returning from ALMA International Symposium & Expo (AISE) and CES 2016 show in Las Vegas - both extremely enlightening and motivating - we felt motivated to write about high-resolution audio (again). HRA was the main theme chosen for AISE 2016 – “Hi Res Audio: A Bridge To Build Or A Bridge Too Far?” – debated in all possible perspectives in an insightful and constructive manner.