The uncanny valley: does it happen with voices? While images of near-human robots can be creepy, the same thing doesn’t seem to happen from disembodied voices.
Voices on the Radio
I’ve been reanalysing a pioneering experiment into radio voices: “In his book Voice and Personality, [Professor] Pear explained what inspired his experiment. He recounted listening to a radio play over headphones one day in a gloomy room lit only by the glow from his fire. Engrossed in the play, he conjured up in his mind… Continue reading Voices on the Radio
More on Voice and Personality
More results from a pioneering psychoacoustic experiment into the human voice.
A remarkable 1920s experiment into the voice
New analysis of Voice and Personality “Ten years ago the art of listening to speech hardly existed. Eyes were glutted while ears were starved. Print reached millions by their firesides, the voice a few score on hard benches in a gloomy hall. Broadcasting has changed all that.” Professor T H Pear, Professor of Psychology, 1931… Continue reading A remarkable 1920s experiment into the voice
Big Ben's Bongs
The science behind one of UK’s most iconic sounds A signature sound for Great Britain is the bongs of Big Ben, the giant bell housed within the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. And tonight it will welcome in the New Year. There is something special about the sound. Listen to a bell chime… Continue reading Big Ben's Bongs
Did Grover drop the F-bomb?
Yanny or Laurel 2.0? Did Grover really say the F-word. It is all about the science of suggestion.
Beatboxers: Playing on the Listener's Brain
How listener’s hear beatboxing, and how the performer exploits an auditory illusion in performance.
Acoustics Advent Week 3+
A summary of the Acoustics Advent for days 15 to 25. Enjoy.
Why do we dislike hearing a recording of our own voice?
Why do people not like the sound of their own voice?
#AcousticsAdvent Week2
Day 8 Can you recognise this reversed Christmas hit? You have 5 seconds before the answer reveals. Hopefully you didn’t hear anything Satanic (backmasking)! This sort of reverse test has been tried on animals to see what parts of calls are important. if you play a reversed bird song and you still get a reply,… Continue reading #AcousticsAdvent Week2