annotate docs/WAC2016/WAC2016.tex @ 1234:908041115948

WAC16: Removed 'Ape Style 2D' from interface list. Renamed 'Ape Style' to 'APE'.
author Nicholas Jillings <n.g.r.jillings@se14.qmul.ac.uk>
date Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:13:15 +0000
parents 5a6a75fb2a24
children 80b034411b89
rev   line source
BrechtDeMan@719 1 \documentclass{sig-alternate}
BrechtDeMan@727 2 \usepackage{hyperref} % make links (like references, links to Sections, ...) clickable
BrechtDeMan@727 3 \usepackage{enumitem} % tighten itemize etc by appending '[noitemsep,nolistsep]'
djmoffat@729 4 \usepackage{cleveref}
BrechtDeMan@719 5
BrechtDeMan@716 6 \graphicspath{{img/}} % put the images in this folder
BrechtDeMan@716 7
BrechtDeMan@719 8 \begin{document}
BrechtDeMan@719 9
BrechtDeMan@719 10 % Copyright
BrechtDeMan@719 11 \setcopyright{waclicense}
BrechtDeMan@719 12
nicholas@740 13 \newcommand*\rot{\rotatebox{90}}
nicholas@740 14
BrechtDeMan@719 15
BrechtDeMan@1233 16 % Make clickable footnote (Brecht)
BrechtDeMan@1233 17 \newcommand{\hyperfootnote}[1][]{\def\ArgI{{#1}}\hyperfootnoteRelay}
BrechtDeMan@1233 18 % relay to new command to make extra optional command possible
BrechtDeMan@1233 19 \newcommand\hyperfootnoteRelay[2][]{\href{#1#2}{\ArgI}\footnote{\href{#1#2}{#2}}}
BrechtDeMan@1233 20 % the first optional argument is now in \ArgI, the second is in #1
BrechtDeMan@1233 21
BrechtDeMan@1233 22 % Takes at most 3 parameters (see http://www.tex.ac.uk/FAQ-twooptarg.html for info on multiple optional parameters)
BrechtDeMan@1233 23 % If first parameter isn't given, it's value is '' (empty string in text before footnote reference)
BrechtDeMan@1233 24 % If second parameter isn't given, it's value is '' (string before visible URL, e.g. 'http://')
BrechtDeMan@1233 25 % Makes a clickable footnote (alternatively: \url{}) with optional reference in the text as well
BrechtDeMan@1233 26 % Use 1: \hyperfootnote{www.mywebsite.com}: creates a footnote consisting of a clickable URL
BrechtDeMan@1233 27 % Use 2: \hyperfootnote[My website]{www.mywebsite.com}: creates a clickable piece of text in the text ('My website') plus a footnote consisting of a clickable URL
BrechtDeMan@1233 28 % Note: requires the hyperref package.
BrechtDeMan@1233 29 % Note: using xspace package to add/absorb spaces when necessary (e.g. to avoid a space between the footnote number and a punctuation mark)
BrechtDeMan@1233 30
BrechtDeMan@719 31 %% DOI
BrechtDeMan@719 32 %\doi{10.475/123_4}
BrechtDeMan@719 33 %
BrechtDeMan@719 34 %% ISBN
BrechtDeMan@719 35 %\isbn{123-4567-24-567/08/06}
BrechtDeMan@719 36 %
BrechtDeMan@719 37 %%Conference
BrechtDeMan@719 38 %\conferenceinfo{PLDI '13}{June 16--19, 2013, Seattle, WA, USA}
BrechtDeMan@719 39 %
BrechtDeMan@719 40 %\acmPrice{\$15.00}
BrechtDeMan@719 41
BrechtDeMan@719 42 %
BrechtDeMan@719 43 % --- Author Metadata here ---
BrechtDeMan@719 44 \conferenceinfo{Web Audio Conference WAC-2016,}{April 4--6, 2016, Atlanta, USA}
BrechtDeMan@719 45 \CopyrightYear{2016} % Allows default copyright year (20XX) to be over-ridden - IF NEED BE.
BrechtDeMan@719 46 %\crdata{0-12345-67-8/90/01} % Allows default copyright data (0-89791-88-6/97/05) to be over-ridden - IF NEED BE.
BrechtDeMan@719 47 % --- End of Author Metadata ---
BrechtDeMan@719 48
BrechtDeMan@728 49 \title{Web Audio Evaluation Tool: A framework for subjective assessment of audio}
BrechtDeMan@719 50 %\subtitle{[Extended Abstract]
BrechtDeMan@719 51 %\titlenote{A full version of this paper is available as
BrechtDeMan@719 52 %\textit{Author's Guide to Preparing ACM SIG Proceedings Using
BrechtDeMan@719 53 %\LaTeX$2_\epsilon$\ and BibTeX} at
BrechtDeMan@719 54 %\texttt{www.acm.org/eaddress.htm}}}
BrechtDeMan@719 55 %
BrechtDeMan@719 56 % You need the command \numberofauthors to handle the 'placement
BrechtDeMan@719 57 % and alignment' of the authors beneath the title.
BrechtDeMan@719 58 %
BrechtDeMan@719 59 % For aesthetic reasons, we recommend 'three authors at a time'
BrechtDeMan@719 60 % i.e. three 'name/affiliation blocks' be placed beneath the title.
BrechtDeMan@719 61 %
BrechtDeMan@719 62 % NOTE: You are NOT restricted in how many 'rows' of
BrechtDeMan@719 63 % "name/affiliations" may appear. We just ask that you restrict
BrechtDeMan@719 64 % the number of 'columns' to three.
BrechtDeMan@719 65 %
BrechtDeMan@719 66 % Because of the available 'opening page real-estate'
BrechtDeMan@719 67 % we ask you to refrain from putting more than six authors
BrechtDeMan@719 68 % (two rows with three columns) beneath the article title.
BrechtDeMan@719 69 % More than six makes the first-page appear very cluttered indeed.
BrechtDeMan@719 70 %
BrechtDeMan@719 71 % Use the \alignauthor commands to handle the names
BrechtDeMan@719 72 % and affiliations for an 'aesthetic maximum' of six authors.
BrechtDeMan@719 73 % Add names, affiliations, addresses for
BrechtDeMan@719 74 % the seventh etc. author(s) as the argument for the
BrechtDeMan@719 75 % \additionalauthors command.
BrechtDeMan@719 76 % These 'additional authors' will be output/set for you
BrechtDeMan@719 77 % without further effort on your part as the last section in
BrechtDeMan@719 78 % the body of your article BEFORE References or any Appendices.
BrechtDeMan@719 79
BrechtDeMan@725 80 % FIVE authors instead of four, to leave space between first two authors.
n@1115 81 \numberofauthors{6} % in this sample file, there are a *total*
BrechtDeMan@719 82 % of EIGHT authors. SIX appear on the 'first-page' (for formatting
BrechtDeMan@719 83 % reasons) and the remaining two appear in the \additionalauthors section.
BrechtDeMan@719 84 %
BrechtDeMan@719 85 \author{
BrechtDeMan@719 86 % You can go ahead and credit any number of authors here,
BrechtDeMan@719 87 % e.g. one 'row of three' or two rows (consisting of one row of three
BrechtDeMan@719 88 % and a second row of one, two or three).
BrechtDeMan@719 89 %
BrechtDeMan@719 90 % The command \alignauthor (no curly braces needed) should
BrechtDeMan@719 91 % precede each author name, affiliation/snail-mail address and
BrechtDeMan@719 92 % e-mail address. Additionally, tag each line of
BrechtDeMan@719 93 % affiliation/address with \affaddr, and tag the
BrechtDeMan@719 94 % e-mail address with \email.
BrechtDeMan@719 95 %
BrechtDeMan@719 96 % 1st. author
n@1115 97 \alignauthor Nicholas Jillings\textsuperscript{2}\\
n@1194 98 \email{nicholas.jillings@mail.bcu.ac.uk}
n@1115 99 % 2nd. author
n@1194 100 \alignauthor
n@1115 101 \alignauthor Brecht De Man\textsuperscript{1}\\
n@1115 102 \email{b.deman@qmul.ac.uk}
n@1194 103 \and
n@1194 104 % use '\and' if you need 'another row' of author names
BrechtDeMan@719 105 % 3rd. author
n@1115 106 \alignauthor David Moffat\textsuperscript{1}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 107 \email{d.j.moffat@qmul.ac.uk}
BrechtDeMan@719 108 % 4th. author
n@1115 109 \alignauthor Joshua D. Reiss\textsuperscript{1}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 110 \email{joshua.reiss@qmul.ac.uk}
n@1115 111 \alignauthor Ryan Stables\textsuperscript{2}\\
n@1115 112 \email{ryan.stables@bcu.ac.uk}
BrechtDeMan@725 113 \and % new line for address
n@1115 114 \affaddr{Centre for Digital Music, School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science\textsuperscript{1}}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 115 \affaddr{Queen Mary University of London}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 116 \affaddr{Mile End Road,}
BrechtDeMan@719 117 \affaddr{London E1 4NS}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 118 \affaddr{United Kingdom}\\
n@1115 119 \and
n@1115 120 \affaddr{Digital Media Technology Lab\textsuperscript{2}}\\
n@1115 121 \affaddr{Birmingham City University}\\
n@1115 122 \affaddr{Birmingham B4 7XG}\\
n@1115 123 \affaddr{United Kingdom}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 124 }
BrechtDeMan@719 125 %Centre for Digital Music, School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London
BrechtDeMan@719 126 %% 5th. author
BrechtDeMan@719 127 %\alignauthor Sean Fogarty\\
BrechtDeMan@719 128 % \affaddr{NASA Ames Research Center}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 129 % \affaddr{Moffett Field}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 130 % \email{fogartys@amesres.org}
BrechtDeMan@719 131 %% 6th. author
BrechtDeMan@719 132 %\alignauthor Charles Palmer\\
BrechtDeMan@719 133 % \affaddr{Palmer Research Laboratories}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 134 % \affaddr{8600 Datapoint Drive}\\
BrechtDeMan@719 135 % \email{cpalmer@prl.com}
BrechtDeMan@719 136 %}
BrechtDeMan@719 137 % There's nothing stopping you putting the seventh, eighth, etc.
BrechtDeMan@719 138 % author on the opening page (as the 'third row') but we ask,
BrechtDeMan@719 139 % for aesthetic reasons that you place these 'additional authors'
BrechtDeMan@719 140 % in the \additional authors block, viz.
BrechtDeMan@719 141 %\additionalauthors{Additional authors: John Smith (The Th{\o}rv{\"a}ld Group,
BrechtDeMan@719 142 %email: {\texttt{jsmith@affiliation.org}}) and Julius P.~Kumquat
BrechtDeMan@719 143 %(The Kumquat Consortium, email: {\texttt{jpkumquat@consortium.net}}).}
BrechtDeMan@719 144 \date{1 October 2015}
BrechtDeMan@719 145 % Just remember to make sure that the TOTAL number of authors
BrechtDeMan@719 146 % is the number that will appear on the first page PLUS the
BrechtDeMan@719 147 % number that will appear in the \additionalauthors section.
BrechtDeMan@719 148
BrechtDeMan@719 149 \maketitle
BrechtDeMan@719 150 \begin{abstract}
BrechtDeMan@1233 151 Perceptual listening tests are commonplace in audio research and a vital form of evaluation. % ?
BrechtDeMan@1233 152 While a large number of tools exist to run such tests, many feature just one test type, are platform dependent, run on proprietary software, or require considerable configuration and programming. Using Web Audio, the Web Audio Evaluation Tool (WAET) addresses these concerns by having one toolbox which can be configured to run many different tests, perform it through a web browser and without needing proprietary software or computer programming knowledge. In this paper the role of the Web Audio API in giving WAET key functionalities are shown. The paper also highlights less common features, available to web based tools, such as easy remote testing environment and in-browser analytics.
BrechtDeMan@719 153 \end{abstract}
BrechtDeMan@719 154
BrechtDeMan@719 155
BrechtDeMan@719 156 \section{Introduction}
BrechtDeMan@726 157
BrechtDeMan@726 158 % Listening tests/perceptual audio evaluation: what are they, why are they important
BrechtDeMan@726 159 % As opposed to limited scope of WAC15 paper: also musical features, realism of sound effects / sound synthesis, performance of source separation and other algorithms...
BrechtDeMan@1233 160 Perceptual evaluation of audio, using listening tests, is a powerful way to assess anything from audio codec quality over realism of sound synthesis to the performance of source separation, automated music production and other auditory evaluations.
BrechtDeMan@716 161 In less technical areas, the framework of a listening test can be used to measure emotional response to music or test cognitive abilities.
BrechtDeMan@716 162 % maybe some references? If there's space.
BrechtDeMan@726 163
BrechtDeMan@727 164 % check out http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10055-015-0270-8 - only paper that cited WAC15 paper
BrechtDeMan@727 165
nicholas@734 166 % Why difficult? Challenges? What constitutes a good interface?
nicholas@734 167 % Technical, interfaces, user friendliness, reliability
BrechtDeMan@1233 168 Several applications for performing perceptual listening tests currently exist, see~\Cref{tab:toolboxes}. Many rely on proprietary, third party software such as MATLAB and Max, making them less attractive for many. With the exception of the existing JavaScript-based toolboxes, remote deployment (web-based test hosting and result collection) is not possible.
nicholas@745 169
BrechtDeMan@1233 170 HULTI-GEN~\cite{hultigen} is an example of a toolbox that presents the user with a large number of different test interfaces and customisation, without requiring knowledge of any programming language. The Web Audio Evaluation Toolbox (WAET), presented here, stands out for the same reasons but in addition does not require proprietary software or a specific platform. It also provides a wide range of interface and test types in one user friendly environment. Furthermore, any test based on the default test types can be configured in the browser as well. Note that the design of an effective listening test further poses many challenges unrelated to interface design, which are beyond the scope of this paper \cite{bech}.
BrechtDeMan@726 171
BrechtDeMan@726 172 % Why in the browser?
n@1231 173 The Web Audio API provides important features including sample level manipulation of audio streams \cite{schoeffler2015mushra} and synchronous and flexible playback. Operating in the browser allows leveraging the flexible JavaScript language and native support for web documents, such as the extensible markup language (XML) which is used for configuration and test result files. Using the web also reduces deployment requirements to a basic web server with extra functionality, such as test collection and automatic processing, using PHP. As recruiting participants can be very time-consuming, and as for some tests a large number of participants is needed, browser-based tests can enable participants in multiple locations to perform the test simultaneously \cite{schoeffler2015mushra}.
BrechtDeMan@716 174
BrechtDeMan@1233 175 Both BeaqleJS \cite{beaqlejs} and \hyperfootnote[mushraJS][https://]{github.com/akaroice/mushraJS} also operate in the browser. However, BeaqleJS does not make use of the Web Audio API and therefore lacks arbitrary manipulation of audio stream samples, and neither offer an adequately wide choice of test designs for them to be useful to many researchers. %requires programming knowledge?...
BrechtDeMan@725 176
BrechtDeMan@725 177 % only browser-based?
djmoffat@729 178 \begin{table*}[ht]
n@738 179 \caption{Table with existing listening test platforms and their features}
nicholas@740 180 \small
n@738 181 \begin{center}
nicholas@740 182 \begin{tabular}{|*{9}{l|}}
n@738 183 \hline
nicholas@740 184 \textbf{Toolbox} & \rot{\textbf{APE}} & \rot{\textbf{BeaqleJS}} &\rot{\textbf{HULTI-GEN}} & \rot{\textbf{mushraJS}} & \rot{\textbf{MUSHRAM}} & \rot{\textbf{Scale}} & \rot{\textbf{WhisPER}} & \rot{\textbf{WAET}} \\ \hline
nicholas@740 185 \textbf{Reference} & \cite{ape} & \cite{beaqlejs} & \cite{hultigen} & & \cite{mushram} & \cite{scale} & \cite{whisper} & \cite{waet} \\ \hline
nicholas@740 186 \textbf{Language} & MATLAB & JS & MAX & JS & MATLAB & MATLAB & MATLAB & JS \\ \hline
BrechtDeMan@744 187 \textbf{Remote} & & (\checkmark) & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline \hline
nicholas@740 188 MUSHRA (ITU-R BS. 1534) & & \checkmark & \checkmark & \checkmark & \checkmark & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 189 APE & \checkmark & & & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 190 Rank Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 191 Likert Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 192 ABC/HR (ITU-R BS. 1116) & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 193 -50 to 50 Bipolar with ref. & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 194 Absolute Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@745 195 Degradation Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 196 Comparison Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 197 9 Point Hedonic Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 198 ITU-R 5 Continuous Impairment Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 199 Pairwise / AB Test & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 200 Multi-attribute ratings & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 201 ABX Test & & \checkmark & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 202 Adaptive psychophysical methods & & & & & & & \checkmark & \\ \hline
nicholas@740 203 Repertory Grid Technique & & & & & & & \checkmark & \\ \hline
BrechtDeMan@744 204 Semantic Differential & & & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark &\checkmark \\ \hline
nicholas@740 205 n-Alternative Forced Choice & & & & & & \checkmark & & \\ \hline
n@738 206 \end{tabular}
n@738 207 \end{center}
BrechtDeMan@1233 208 \vspace{-.5cm}
n@738 209 \label{tab:toolboxes}
nicholas@740 210 \end{table*}
BrechtDeMan@1233 211
BrechtDeMan@725 212 %
nicholas@734 213 %Selling points: remote tests, visualisaton, create your own test in the browser, many interfaces, few/no dependencies, flexibility
BrechtDeMan@726 214
nicholas@735 215 %[Talking about what we do in the various sections of this paper. Referring to \cite{waet}. ]
n@1231 216 To meet the need for a cross-platform, versatile and easy-to-use listening test tool, we previously developed the Web Audio Evaluation Tool \cite{waet} which was capable of running a listening test in the browser from an XML configuration file, and storing an XML file as well, with one particular interface. This has now expanded into a tool with which a wide range of listening test types can easily be constructed and set up remotely, without any need for manually altering code or configuration files, and allows visualisation of the collected results in the browser. In this paper, we discuss these different aspects and explore which future improvements would be possible.
BrechtDeMan@744 217
BrechtDeMan@715 218 \begin{figure}[tb]
BrechtDeMan@715 219 \centering
BrechtDeMan@715 220 \includegraphics[width=.5\textwidth]{interface.png}
BrechtDeMan@715 221 \caption{A simple example of a multi-stimulus, single attribute, single rating scale test with a reference and comment fields.}
BrechtDeMan@715 222 \label{fig:interface}
BrechtDeMan@715 223 \end{figure}
BrechtDeMan@715 224
nicholas@734 225 \begin{comment}
BrechtDeMan@728 226 % MEETING 8 OCTOBER
BrechtDeMan@728 227 \subsection{Meeting 8 October}
BrechtDeMan@728 228 \begin{itemize}
BrechtDeMan@728 229 \item Do we manipulate audio?\\
BrechtDeMan@728 230 \begin{itemize}
BrechtDeMan@728 231 \item Add loudness equalisation? (test\_create.html) Tag with gains.
BrechtDeMan@728 232 \item Add volume slider?
BrechtDeMan@728 233 \item Cross-fade (in interface node): default 0, number of seconds
BrechtDeMan@728 234 \item Also: we use the playback buffer to present metrics of which portion is listened to
BrechtDeMan@728 235 \end{itemize}
BrechtDeMan@728 236 \item Logging system information: whichever are possible (justify others)
BrechtDeMan@728 237 \item Input streams as audioelements
BrechtDeMan@728 238 \item Capture microphone to estimate loudness (especially Macbook)
BrechtDeMan@728 239 \item Test page (in-built oscillators): left-right calibration, ramp up test tone until you hear it; optional compensating EQ (future work implementing own filters) --> Highlight issues!
BrechtDeMan@728 240 \item Record IP address (PHP function, grab and append to XML file)
BrechtDeMan@728 241 \item Expand anchor/reference options
BrechtDeMan@728 242 \item AB / ABX
BrechtDeMan@728 243 \end{itemize}
BrechtDeMan@728 244
BrechtDeMan@728 245 \subsubsection{Issues}
BrechtDeMan@728 246 \begin{itemize}
BrechtDeMan@728 247 \item Filters not consistent (Nick to test across browsers)
BrechtDeMan@728 248 \item Playback audiobuffers need to be destroyed and rebuilt each time
BrechtDeMan@728 249 \item Can't get channel data, hardware input/output...
BrechtDeMan@728 250 \end{itemize}
nicholas@734 251 \end{comment}
BrechtDeMan@725 252
BrechtDeMan@726 253 \section{Architecture} % title? 'back end'? % NICK
n@738 254 \label{sec:architecture}
nicholas@735 255 %A slightly technical overview of the system. Talk about XML, JavaScript, Web Audio API, HTML5.
BrechtDeMan@716 256
nicholas@745 257 Although WAET uses a sparse subset of the Web Audio API functionality, its performance comes directly from it. Listening tests can convey large amounts of information other than obtaining the perceptual relationship between the audio fragments. With WAET it is possible to track which parts of the audio fragments were listened to and when, at what point in the audio stream the participant switched to a different fragment, and how a fragment's rating was adjusted over time within a session, to name a few. Not only does this allow evaluation of a wealth of perceptual aspects, but it also helps detect poor participants whose results are potentially not representative.
nicholas@730 258
BrechtDeMan@1233 259 One of the key initial design parameters for WAET was to make the tool as open as possible to non-programmers. To this end, all of the user modifiable options are included in a single XML document, referred to as the specification document, that can be written manually (or modifying an existing document or template) or using the included test creator. The test creator can modify existing specification documents or generate new ones in an intuitive yet powerful HTML GUI. This simplifies the creation of elements by visualising the data structure with explanatory text.
nicholas@730 260
nicholas@735 261 %Describe and/or visualise audioholder-audioelement-... structure.
BrechtDeMan@1233 262 The specification document contains the URL of the audio fragments for each test page. These fragments are downloaded asynchronously in the test and decoded offline by the Web Audio offline decoder. The LUFS integrated loudness of the buffers are calculated \cite{loudness201510} and stored to enable on-the-fly loudness normalisation. If the playback uses synchronous looping, the buffers are zero-padded accordingly. Performing these in the browser removes any need for pre-processing. The resulting buffers are assigned to a custom Audio Objects node which tracks the fragment buffer, the Web Audio \textit{bufferSourceNode}, and other specification attributes including its ID, the interface object(s) associated with the fragment and any metric or data collection objects. The Audio Object is controlled by an over-arching custom Audio Engine node allowing for session wide control of the Audio Objects.
nicholas@730 263
BrechtDeMan@1233 264 The only significant issue with this model is the \textit{bufferNode} in the Web Audio API, implemented in the standard as a `use once' object. Once the node has been played, it must be discarded as it cannot be instructed to play again. Therefore on each play request the \textit{bufferSourceNode} must be created and then linked with the stored \textit{bufferNode}. This is an odd behaviour with no alternative except to use the HTML5 audio element, but they do not have the ability to synchronously start on a given time and therefore not suited.
BrechtDeMan@716 265
BrechtDeMan@1233 266 In the test, each buffer node is connected to a gain node configured by the loudness normalisation and any user specified gain. Therefore it is possible to perform a `Method of Adjustment' test where an interface could directly manipulate these gain nodes. These gain nodes are used for cross-fading between samples when operating in synchronous playback. Cross-fading can either be fade-out followed by a fade-in, or a true cross-fade. This is achieved by using the AudioParam controls to provide linear ramping from 0 to the calculated playback level. There is also an optional `Master Volume' slider which can be shown on the test GUI to modify a gain node before the destination. The control's position is tracked providing extra test use validation. This is not indicative of the final volume exiting the speakers, though, not least because the browser cannot read the system volume. Therefore its use should only be considered in a lab environment to ensure results are representative.
nicholas@730 267
nicholas@735 268 %Which type of files? WAV, anything else? Perhaps not exhaustive list, but say something along the lines of 'whatever browser supports'. Compatability?
BrechtDeMan@1233 269 The media files supported depend on the browser level support for the initial decoding of information and is the same as the browser support for the HTML5 audio element. The most widely supported media file is the wave (.WAV) format which is accepted by every browser supporting the Web Audio API. Most browsers support floating point WAV except Firefox. To resolve this, the tool includes its own wave file decoder to extract the samples. The toolbox works in any browser which supports the Web Audio API and HTML 5.
nicholas@730 270
BrechtDeMan@1233 271 All collected session data is returned in an XML document structured similarly to the configuration document, where test pages contain the audio elements with their trace collection, results, comments and any interface-specific data points.
nicholas@730 272
BrechtDeMan@725 273 \section{Remote tests} % with previous?
BrechtDeMan@716 274 \label{sec:remote}
BrechtDeMan@726 275
n@1231 276 If the experimenter is willing to trade some degree of control for a higher number of participants, the test can be hosted on a public web server. This way, a link can be shared widely in the hope of attracting a large amount of subjects, while listening conditions and subject reliability may be less ideal. However, a sound system calibration page and the range of metrics logged mitigate these problems. In some experiments, it may be preferred that the subject has a `real life', familiar listening set-up, for instance when perceived quality differences on everyday sound systems are investigated.
BrechtDeMan@726 277 Furthermore, a fully browser-based test, where the collection of the results is automatic, is more efficient and technically reliable even when the test still takes place under lab conditions.
BrechtDeMan@726 278
BrechtDeMan@724 279 The following features allow easy and effective remote testing:
BrechtDeMan@1233 280 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep] % replaced description list with itemize as it went outside the margins
BrechtDeMan@1233 281 \item \textbf{PHP script to collect result XML files} and store on central server.
BrechtDeMan@1233 282 \item \textbf{Randomly pick a specified number of pages} to ensure an equal and randomised spread of the different pages across participants.
BrechtDeMan@1233 283 \item \textbf{Calibration of the sound system (and participant)} by a perceptual pre-test to gather information about the frequency response and speaker configuration - this can be supplemented with a survey.
nicholas@730 284 % In theory calibration could be applied anywhere??
BrechtDeMan@716 285 % \item Functionality to participate multiple times
BrechtDeMan@716 286 % \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
BrechtDeMan@716 287 % \item Possible to log in with unique ID (no password)
BrechtDeMan@716 288 % \item Pick `new user' (generates new, unique ID) or `already participated' (need already available ID)
BrechtDeMan@716 289 % \item Store XML on server with IDs plus which audioholders have already been listened to
BrechtDeMan@716 290 % \item Don't show `post-test' survey after first time
BrechtDeMan@716 291 % \item Pick `new' audioholders if available
BrechtDeMan@716 292 % \item Copy survey information first time to new XMLs
BrechtDeMan@716 293 % \end{itemize}
BrechtDeMan@1233 294 \item \textbf{Intermediate saves} for tests which were interrupted or unfinished.
BrechtDeMan@1233 295 \item \textbf{Collect IP address information} for geographic location, through PHP function which grabs address and appends to XML file.
BrechtDeMan@1233 296 \item \textbf{Collect browser and display information} to the extent it is available and reliable.
BrechtDeMan@1233 297 \end{itemize}
BrechtDeMan@724 298
BrechtDeMan@719 299
BrechtDeMan@725 300 \section{Interfaces} % title? 'Front end'? % Dave
BrechtDeMan@716 301 \label{sec:interfaces}
djmoffat@729 302
BrechtDeMan@1233 303 The purpose of this listening test framework is to allow any user the maximum flexibility to design a listening test for their exact application with minimum effort. To this end, a large range of standard listening test interfaces have been implemented, including
djmoffat@729 304 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
BrechtDeMan@1233 305 \item AB Test~\cite{lipshitz1981great}: Two stimuli presented simultaneously, participant selects a preferred stimulus.
BrechtDeMan@1233 306 \item ABC/HR (ITU-R BS. 1116)~\cite{recommendation19971116} (Mean Opinion Score: MOS): each stimulus has a continuous scale (5-1), labeled as Imperceptible, Perceptible but not annoying, Slightly annoying, Annoying, Very annoying.
n@1231 307 \item -50 to 50 Bipolar with Ref: each stimulus has a continuous scale -50 to 50 with default values as 0 in middle and a reference.
n@1231 308 \item Absolute Category Rating (ACR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}: Likert but labels are Bad, Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent
n@1231 309 \item ABX Test~\cite{clark1982high}: Two stimuli are presented along with a reference and the participant has to select a preferred stimulus, often the closest to the reference.
n@1234 310 \item APE \cite{ape}: Multiple stimuli on one or more axes for inter-sample rating.
n@1234 311 %\item APE style 2D \cite{ape}: Multiple stimuli on a 2D plane for inter-sample rating (e.g. Valence Arousal).
BrechtDeMan@1233 312 \item Comparison Category Rating (CCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}: ACR \& DCR but 7 point scale, with reference: Much better, Better, Slightly better, About the same, Slightly worse, Worse, Much worse.
BrechtDeMan@1233 313 \item Degredation Category Rating (DCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}: ABC \& Likert but labels are (5) Inaudible, (4) Audible but not annoying, (3) Slightly annoying, (2) Annoying, (1) Very annoying.
n@1231 314 \item ITU-R 5 Point Continuous Impairment Scale~\cite{rec1997bs}: Same as ABC/HR but with a reference.
BrechtDeMan@1233 315 \item Likert scale~\cite{likert1932technique}: each stimulus has a five point scale with values: Strongly agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree and Strongly disagree.
BrechtDeMan@1233 316 \item MUSHRA (ITU-R BS. 1534)~\cite{recommendation20031534}
nicholas@745 317 \begin{comment}
nicholas@736 318 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
djmoffat@729 319 \item Multiple stimuli are presented and rated on a continuous scale, which includes a reference, hidden reference and hidden anchors.
djmoffat@729 320 \end{itemize}
nicholas@745 321 \end{comment}
n@1231 322 \item Pairwise Comparison (Better/Worse)~\cite{david1963method}: every stimulus is rated as being either better or worse than the reference.
nicholas@745 323 \item Rank Scale~\cite{pascoe1983evaluation}: stimuli ranked on single horizontal scale, where they are ordered in preference order.
BrechtDeMan@1233 324 \item 9 Point Hedonic Category Rating Scale~\cite{peryam1952advanced}: each stimulus has a seven point scale with values: Like extremely, Like very much, Like moderate, Like slightly, Neither like nor dislike, Dislike extremely, Dislike very much, Dislike moderate, Dislike slightly. There is also a provided reference.
djmoffat@729 325 \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 326
BrechtDeMan@1233 327 It is possible to include any number of references, hidden references, hidden anchors and comment fields into all of these listening test formats.
djmoffat@729 328
BrechtDeMan@1233 329 Because of the design to have separate core code and interface modules, it is possible for a third party interface to be built with minimal effort. The repository includes a boilerplate (blank.js) and documentation on which functions must be called and the specific functions they expect your interface to perform. The core includes an `Interface' object which includes object prototypes for the on-page comment boxes (including those with radio or checkbox responses), start and stop buttons and the playhead / transport bars.
n@732 330
djmoffat@729 331 %%%% \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
djmoffat@729 332 %%%% \item (APE style) \cite{ape}
djmoffat@729 333 %%%% \item Multi attribute ratings
djmoffat@729 334 %%%% \item MUSHRA (ITU-R BS. 1534)~\cite{recommendation20031534}
djmoffat@729 335 %%%% \item Interval Scale~\cite{zacharov1999round}
djmoffat@729 336 %%%% \item Rank Scale~\cite{pascoe1983evaluation}
djmoffat@729 337 %%%%
djmoffat@729 338 %%%% \item 2D Plane rating - e.g. Valence vs. Arousal~\cite{carroll1969individual}
djmoffat@729 339 %%%% \item Likert scale~\cite{likert1932technique}
djmoffat@729 340 %%%%
djmoffat@729 341 %%%% \item {\bf All the following are the interfaces available in HULTI-GEN~\cite{hultigen} }
djmoffat@729 342 %%%% \item ABC/HR (ITU-R BS. 1116)~\cite{recommendation19971116}
djmoffat@729 343 %%%% \begin{itemize}
djmoffat@729 344 %%%% \item Continuous Scale (5-1) Imperceptible, Perceptible but not annoying, slightly annoying, annoying, very annoying. (default Inaudible?)
djmoffat@729 345 %%%% \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 346 %%%% \item -50 to 50 Bipolar with Ref
djmoffat@729 347 %%%% \begin{itemize}
djmoffat@729 348 %%%% \item Scale -50 to 50 on Mushra with default values as 0 in middle and a comparison ``Reference'' to compare to 0 value
djmoffat@729 349 %%%% \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 350 %%%% \item Absolute Category Rating (ACR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}
djmoffat@729 351 %%%% \begin{itemize}
djmoffat@729 352 %%%% \item 5 point Scale - Bad, Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent (Default fair?)
djmoffat@729 353 %%%% \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 354 %%%% \item Degredation Category Rating (DCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}
djmoffat@729 355 %%%% \begin{itemize}
djmoffat@729 356 %%%% \item 5 point Scale - Inaudible, Audible but not annoying, slightly annoying, annoying, very annoying. (default Inaudible?) - {\it Basically just quantised ABC/HR?}
djmoffat@729 357 %%%% \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 358 %%%% \item Comparison Category Rating (CCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}
djmoffat@729 359 %%%% \begin{itemize}
djmoffat@729 360 %%%% \item 7 point scale: Much Better, Better, Slightly Better, About the same, slightly worse, worse, much worse - Default about the same with reference to compare to
djmoffat@729 361 %%%% \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 362 %%%% \item 9 Point Hedonic Category Rating Scale~\cite{peryam1952advanced}
djmoffat@729 363 %%%% \begin{itemize}
djmoffat@729 364 %%%% \item 9 point scale: Like Extremely, Like Very Much, Like Moderate, Like Slightly, Neither Like nor Dislike, dislike Extremely, dislike Very Much, dislike Moderate, dislike Slightly - Default Neither Like nor Dislike with reference to compare to
djmoffat@729 365 %%%% \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 366 %%%% \item ITU-R 5 Point Continuous Impairment Scale~\cite{rec1997bs}
djmoffat@729 367 %%%% \begin{itemize}
djmoffat@729 368 %%%% \item 5 point Scale (5-1) Imperceptible, Perceptible but not annoying, slightly annoying, annoying, very annoying. (default Inaudible?)- {\it Basically just quantised ABC/HR, or Different named DCR}
djmoffat@729 369 %%%% \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 370 %%%% \item Pairwise Comparison (Better/Worse)~\cite{david1963method}
djmoffat@729 371 %%%% \begin{itemize}
djmoffat@729 372 %%%% \item 2 point Scale - Better or Worse - (not sure how to default this - they default everything to better, which is an interesting choice)
djmoffat@729 373 %%%% \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 374 %%%% \end{itemize}
djmoffat@729 375
n@732 376 % Build your own test
nicholas@743 377
nicholas@734 378 \begin{comment}
djmoffat@729 379 { \bf A screenshot would be nice.
djmoffat@729 380
djmoffat@729 381 Established tests (see below) included as `presets' in the build-your-own-test page. }
nicholas@734 382 \end{comment}
BrechtDeMan@719 383
BrechtDeMan@719 384 \section{Analysis and diagnostics}
BrechtDeMan@716 385 \label{sec:analysis}
BrechtDeMan@726 386 % don't mention Python scripts
BrechtDeMan@716 387 There are several benefits to providing basic analysis tools in the browser: they allow diagnosing problems, with the interface or with the test subject; they may be sufficient for many researchers' purposes; and test subjects may enjoy seeing an overview of their own results and/or results thus far at the end of their tests.
BrechtDeMan@1233 388
BrechtDeMan@716 389 For this reason, we include a proof-of-concept web page with:
BrechtDeMan@727 390 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
BrechtDeMan@1233 391 \item All page IDs, file names, subject IDs, audio element IDs, ... in the collected XMLs so far
BrechtDeMan@716 392 \item Selection of subjects and/or test samples to zoom in on a subset of the data %Check/uncheck each of the above for analysis (e.g. zoom in on a certain song, or exclude a subset of subjects)
BrechtDeMan@716 393 \item Embedded audio to hear corresponding test samples % (follow path in XML setup file, which is also embedded in the XML result file)
BrechtDeMan@1233 394 \item Scatter plot, confidence plot and box plot of rating values (see Figure \ref{fig:boxplot})
n@738 395 \item Timeline for a specific subject %(see Figure \ref{fig:timeline})%, perhaps re-playing the experiment in X times realtime. (If actual realtime, you could replay the audio...)
n@738 396 \item Distribution plots of any radio button and number questions in pre- and post-test survey %(drop-down menu with `pretest', `posttest', ...; then drop-down menu with question `IDs' like `gender', `age', ...; make pie chart/histogram of these values over selected range of XMLs)
BrechtDeMan@716 397 \item All `comments' on a specific audioelement
n@738 398 \item A `download' function for a CSV of ratings, survey responses and comments% various things (values, survey responses, comments) people might want to use for analysis, e.g. when XML scares them
n@738 399 %\item Validation of setup XMLs (easily spot `errors', like duplicate IDs or URLs, missing/dangling tags, ...)
BrechtDeMan@722 400 \end{itemize}
BrechtDeMan@722 401
BrechtDeMan@1233 402 \begin{figure}[tbh]
BrechtDeMan@1233 403 \centering
BrechtDeMan@1233 404 \includegraphics[width=.5\textwidth]{boxplot.png}
BrechtDeMan@1233 405 %\caption{This timeline of a single subject's listening test shows playback of fragments (red segments) and marker movements on the rating axis in function of time. }
BrechtDeMan@1233 406 \caption{Box and whisker plot showing the aggregated numerical ratings of six stimuli by a group of subjects.}
BrechtDeMan@1233 407 \label{fig:boxplot}
BrechtDeMan@1233 408 \end{figure}
n@738 409
nicholas@735 410 %A subset of the above would already be nice for this paper.
BrechtDeMan@1233 411 \section{Concluding remarks}
BrechtDeMan@716 412 \label{sec:conclusion}
BrechtDeMan@744 413
n@1231 414 We have developed a browser-based tool for the design and deployment of listening tests, requiring no programming experience or proprietary software. Following the predictions or guidelines in \cite{schoeffler2015mushra}, it supports remote testing, cross-fading between audio streams, collecting information about the system, among others.
BrechtDeMan@744 415
BrechtDeMan@1233 416 Whereas many other types of interfaces do exist, we felt that supporting e.g.~a range of `method of adjustment' tests would be beyond the scope of a tool that aims to be versatile enough while not claiming to support any custom experiment one might want to set up. Rather, it supports intuitive creation of non-adaptive listening tests up to multi-stimulus, multi-attribute evaluation including references, anchors, text boxes, radio buttons and/or checkboxes, with arbitrary placement of the various UI elements, and many standard test `presets' already available.
BrechtDeMan@722 417
BrechtDeMan@1233 418 The code and documentation can be downloaded from the \hyperfootnote[SoundSoftware repository][https://]{code.soundsoftware.ac.uk/projects/webaudioevaluationtool}.
BrechtDeMan@726 419 % remote
BrechtDeMan@726 420 % language support (not explicitly stated)
BrechtDeMan@726 421 % crossfades
n@733 422 % choosing speakers/sound device from within browser? --- NOT POSSIBLE, can only determine channel output counts and its up to the hardware to determine
BrechtDeMan@726 423 % collect information about software and sound system
BrechtDeMan@726 424 % buttons, scales, ... UI elements
BrechtDeMan@726 425 % must be able to load uncompressed PCM
BrechtDeMan@726 426
BrechtDeMan@719 427 %
BrechtDeMan@719 428 % The following two commands are all you need in the
BrechtDeMan@719 429 % initial runs of your .tex file to
BrechtDeMan@719 430 % produce the bibliography for the citations in your paper.
nicholas@743 431 \bibliographystyle{ieeetr}
nicholas@745 432 \small
BrechtDeMan@719 433 \bibliography{WAC2016} % sigproc.bib is the name of the Bibliography in this case
BrechtDeMan@719 434 % You must have a proper ".bib" file
BrechtDeMan@719 435 % and remember to run:
BrechtDeMan@719 436 % latex bibtex latex latex
BrechtDeMan@719 437 % to resolve all references
BrechtDeMan@719 438 %
BrechtDeMan@719 439 % ACM needs 'a single self-contained file'!
BrechtDeMan@719 440 %
BrechtDeMan@719 441 \end{document}