Subject: Re: harmonic vs. inharmonic sounds (one last time) From: Erik Larsen <elarsen@xxxxxxxx> Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:34:37 -0400 List-Archive:<http://lists.mcgill.ca/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=AUDITORY>Martin, it appears to me that we have now landed in the realm of speculation (which is fine). Continuing with some more speculation: in your opinion, what is the role of cochlear mechanical frequency analysis in mammals? Erik Martin Braun wrote: > Dear Al and List, > > physiological models of pitch extraction have been discussed at length on > this list and are easily to be found on the internet. Perhaps some more > general observations can be of use in the present discussion. > > Lizards, and many other animals, have taught us that frequency filtering in > the inner ear can be achieved by tuned resonators (hair cells). > > We have detailed and explicit data showing that also neurons can > function as > tuned resonators. They are able to respond most strongly to one of many > frequencies that occur simultaneously in a large network of neural fibers. > > The anatomy of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus in mammals is > specifically adapted to a technique of pitch extraction that is very > similar > to man-made electronic pitch extraction based on summation techniques. > > Neither man-made electronic devices nor brains of animals need harmonic > grids to extract the pitch from a vowel. It is not really surprising that > such things have never been found in a brain. > > Martin > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > Martin Braun > Neuroscience of Music > S-671 95 Klässbol > Sweden > web site: http://w1.570.telia.com/~u57011259/index.htm -- Erik Larsen PhD candidate Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology http://web.mit.edu/shbt The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep. -- W. C. Fields