Clear Supertone ((full)) Online

[ \Gamma(f_0) = \fracL(f_0) - M(f_0)\sigma_t \cdot \sigma_f ]

A dense synthetic chord (12-tone cluster) with additive noise. A target partial is embedded at varying SNRs (from -10 dB to +10 dB relative to masking threshold). Task: Listeners indicate which of three intervals contains a "clear, separable tone." Hypothesis: Detection probability will correlate with ( \Gamma ) > 1.5, not with raw amplitude. clear supertone

Author: [Generated AI for Academic Modeling] Journal: Journal of Perceptual Audio Engineering (Hypothetical) Date: April 14, 2026 Abstract In both musical acoustics and consumer audio, terms like "brightness," "presence," and "clarity" are often used subjectively. This paper introduces a novel, quantifiable concept: the Clear Supertone (CST) . Defined as a spectral component—either harmonic or selected inharmonic partial—that emerges from the background mask with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and temporal coherence to enable immediate perceptual segregation. Unlike traditional partials, a CST is characterized not merely by its amplitude or frequency but by its perceptual contrast ratio against adjacent spectral energy. We propose a mathematical model for CST based on the Equivalent Rectangular Bandwidth (ERB) scale and demonstrate its potential applications in mix engineering, hearing aid algorithms, and sound synthesis. Experimental protocols for CST detection are suggested. 1. Introduction The pursuit of "clarity" in sound reproduction has driven decades of research in psychoacoustics. However, existing metrics (e.g., clarity index C80, definition D50) focus on temporal decay rather than spectral salience. Musicians often describe a voice or instrument as having a "clear tone" when it cuts through a dense mix. Engineers achieve this via equalization, compression, or harmonic excitation. We propose that these practical successes point to an underlying phenomenon: the Clear Supertone . [ \Gamma(f_0) = \fracL(f_0) - M(f_0)\sigma_t \cdot \sigma_f