Effects of loudness on timbre features: comparison of different languages and scenarios

Authors: Oliver Niebuhr, Rongjie Shi, Wentao Gu

Abstract:

This study investigates the influence of vocal intensity on acoustic voice-quality parameters based on 10-12 Danish, German, and Mandarin speakers. Participants produced speech at three intensity levels (soft, normal, and loud) in two distinct elicitation scenarios: while being alone in a sound-treated booth and while speaking to a big audience on a VR theater stage. Results show that intensity significantly impacted voice quality, with these effects being further shaped by language and scenario. For example, participants talked overall louder in the lab and on the virtual stage but were only the latter VR scenario able to produce distinct intensity and H1- A3 levels. Furthermore, only the Mandarin speakers showed a consistent covariation of intensity and F1 levels, unlike the Danes, who in turn quickly developed a more strained voice (in terms of low H1-A1 values) in the loud speaking condition.