Signal Acquisition in MATLAB - 13.4 | 13. Real-Time Signal Processing using MATLAB | IT Workshop (Sci Lab/MATLAB)
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13.4 - Signal Acquisition in MATLAB

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Audio Input using MATLAB

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're going to learn about acquiring audio signals using MATLAB. To start, does anyone know what `audiorecorder` does?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn’t it used to record audio in MATLAB?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The `audiorecorder` function creates an object that can record audio. You can specify parameters like sample rate and bit depth. For instance, you might write: `recObj = audiorecorder(44100, 16, 1);`. Can someone explain what 44100 means?

Student 2
Student 2

Is that the sample rate?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! 44100 Hz is a standard sample rate for audio. Now, after you've recorded audio, you can retrieve the data using `getaudiodata(recObj)`. Can anyone share how this data might look?

Student 3
Student 3

It would be an array of amplitude values, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! This array can be plotted to analyze the signal. Let's summarize: `audiorecorder` is for capturing audio; sample rate defines the quality of the audio, and `getaudiodata` gives you the recorded sound.

Real-Time Plotting

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Teacher
Teacher

Having acquired the audio, how do we visualize it?

Student 1
Student 1

We can use the `plot()` function!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! You can plot the audio signal with `plot(myRecording);`. What added information can we provide to our plot?

Student 4
Student 4

We can add labels and a title!

Teacher
Teacher

Right! Adding a title and labels helps identify what we are looking at. For example, we can use: `title('Real-Time Audio Signal');` and add labels for axes.

Student 2
Student 2

So this helps us analyze the amplitude over time?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Analyzing amplitude changes over time gives valuable insights into the audio signal. Always remember to visualize your results.

Using dsp.AudioRecorder

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s dive into `dsp.AudioRecorder`. Why do you think we might choose this over `audiorecorder`?

Student 3
Student 3

It can record audio in real-time without blocking?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! It allows continuous recording and playback. The `audioIn` object captures audio, while `audioOut` plays it back. Can anyone explain the loop structure used here?

Student 1
Student 1

It runs indefinitely to continuously capture and play back audio?

Teacher
Teacher

Great job! Using a `while true` construct is essential for real-time processing. So the main components are `audioIn`, `audioOut`, and the loop. Always ensure your processing is efficient to maintain performance.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section discusses how to acquire and plot audio input in MATLAB, emphasizing real-time signal processing techniques.

Standard

The section covers methods for acquiring audio signals using MATLAB's audiorecorder and dsp.AudioRecorder, along with real-time plotting of the acquired audio signals. It highlights the structure of the code needed to implement these functionalities in a MATLAB environment.

Detailed

Signal Acquisition in MATLAB

Signal acquisition is a fundamental aspect of real-time signal processing applications. In MATLAB, users can utilize several built-in functions to capture audio data effectively. This section focuses on two primary methods:

  1. Audio Input using MATLAB: The basic audio recording can be initiated using the audiorecorder function. This allows users to define parameters such as sample rate, bit depth, and the number of channels. After recording, the audio data can be accessed with getaudiodata(). Example Code:
Code Editor - matlab
  1. Real-Time Plotting: Once the audio data is captured, users can visualize it in real-time using the plot() function, which helps in analyzing the waveform. This step can be crucial for applications requiring immediate feedback on the input signal's characteristics.

Example Code:

Code Editor - matlab
  1. Using dsp.AudioRecorder: For more advanced applications, MATLAB's DSP System Toolbox provides the dsp.AudioRecorder object for capturing audio in frames. This method allows for continuous audio acquisition and playback in real-time, facilitating more sophisticated signal processing tasks.

Example Code:

Code Editor - matlab

Overall, this section underlines the ease with which MATLAB allows users to acquire audio signals and process them in real-time, which is essential for many applications in the fields of signal processing and audio engineering.

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Audio Input using MATLAB

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recObj = audiorecorder(44100, 16, 1);
recordblocking(recObj, 5);
myRecording = getaudiodata(recObj);

Detailed Explanation

This chunk introduces how to capture audio input in MATLAB using the audiorecorder function. The code provided does the following:
1. Creating an audio recorder object: The command recObj = audiorecorder(44100, 16, 1); initializes an audio recorder with a sample rate of 44,100 Hz, a bit depth of 16 bits, and a single channel (mono audio).
2. Recording audio: The recordblocking(recObj, 5); command starts the recording and holds execution for 5 seconds. During this time, the system captures audio until the recording is complete.
3. Retrieving audio data: Finally, myRecording = getaudiodata(recObj); extracts the recorded data from the recorder object into the variable myRecording for further processing or analysis.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the audiorecorder function like a digital sound recorder. Just like an audio recorder that can capture sounds around you by pressing a button, in MATLAB, we programmatically create the same functionality to capture sound through our computer's microphone. After recording, it helps to convert those sounds into a format we can analyze or visualize — just as you would listen back to a recording to evaluate it.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Audio Recording: Capturing audio data in MATLAB using audiorecorder or dsp.AudioRecorder.

  • Real-Time Plotting: Visualize captured audio signals in real time for analysis.

  • Continuous Recording: Using dsp.AudioRecorder allows for ongoing audio input without interruptions.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Using audiorecorder to record an audio clip for 5 seconds at a sample rate of 44100 Hz.

  • Visualizing the recorded audio signal using the plot() function.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • To record my sound, I hit record, / Then plot my signals without a hoard.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine you are at a concert recording the music with a device, the audiorecorder, capturing each note. As you play it back, you use plot() to visualize the rhythm and melody in real-time.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember, 'A.P.C' - Audio, Plot, Capture. This helps recall the steps: acquire audio, plot it, and capture it using the right tools.

🎯 Super Acronyms

RAP - Record, Analyze, Playback. This helps to remember that the process involves recording audio, analyzing it through plotting, and then playing it back.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Audio Input

    Definition:

    The process of capturing sound waves using devices like microphones and converting them into a digital format.

  • Term: audiorecorder

    Definition:

    A MATLAB function to create an object that can record audio data.

  • Term: RealTime Plotting

    Definition:

    The process of visualizing data as it is being collected or processed.

  • Term: dsp.AudioRecorder

    Definition:

    A MATLAB System object that allows continuous real-time audio recording.