Assessing the suitability of digital signal processing as applied to performance audio such as in-ear monitoring systems

摘要

In the sound reinforcement field, current in-ear monitor (IEM) systems provide a number of benefits over floor wedges including hearing protection, reduced stage volume and improved coverage. However, new problems arise from occlusion caused by the tight earbud seal while old problems such as lack of personalization still remain. By applying digital signal processing (DSP) derived from the current state of the art in the hearing aid (HA) industry, these problems can be overcome. DSP is applied to both ambient microphones located at the users' ears and the monitor audio feed. It provides multi-band parametric equalization, compression and limiting for each feed and ear separately, allowing for precise tailoring of the sound, including compensation for hearing loss.