Different projects require different tools.

At ARI we design tools especially for particular projects to obtain optimal solutions. For instance we adapted the software framework ExpSuite, which is used for most of our psychoacoustic experiments, to our needs, and for the measurement of the head related transfer functions (HRTF) we designed loudspeakers which meet the acoustic requirements. We also developed a fast system identification method, the multiple exponential sweep method (MESM): this is a method for the fast and convenient measurement of HRTFs. In this section we present some tools from our lab.

• Sound Absorption (description available in German only)
• Microphone Array (description available in German only)
• System Identification
• Loudspeaker (description available in German only)

The ARI lab consists of four testing places:

GREEN and BLUE: Two sound-booths (IAC-1202A) are used for audio recording and psychoacoustic testing performed with headphones. Each of the booths is controlled from outside by a computer. Two bidirectional audio channels with sampling rates up to 192 kHz are available. RED: A visually-separated corner can be used for experiments with cochlear implant listeners. A computer controls the experimental procedure using a bilateral, direct-electric stimulation. YELLOW: A Semi-Anechoic Room, with a size of 6 x 6 x 3 m, can be used for acoustic tests and measurements in a nearly-free field. As many as 24 bidirectional audio channels, virtual environments generated by a head mounted display, and audio and video surveillance are available for projects like HRTF measurement, localization tests or acoustic holography.

The rooms are not only used for measurements and experiments, but also for speech recordings, speaker identification and survey reports. 

During the breaks in experiments, the subjects can use an internet terminal or relax on a couch while sipping hot coffee...