The diffusion of innovations is a fundamental aspect of the innovative process, to which the literature on innovation dedicated a lot of attention. This voluminous literature covers a variety of themes, such as different kinds of innovations, potential adopters, and mechanisms by which the innovation spreads among its potential users. However, some aspects of this vast literature still deserve some further investigation. The objective of the thesis is to study the adoption and diffusion of a consumer technology, the portable digital audio player (DAP) market in Europe and Japan. The methodology is quantitative and consists on the collection and analysis of two original datasets. The first dataset regards the demand-side consisting in a survey of 1562 young potential adopters from 9 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK, and Japan). The other source of data is a dataset of 585 DAPs marketed between 2001 and 2009, including information on product characteristics (storage space, size, etc.) and price. The analysis of the data is carried out at three levels. The first one regards the demand-side, with the aim of assessing how users' characteristics shape the adoption decision, and providing a classification of potential adopters that goes beyond the usual classification based on timing of adoption or on the distribution of a single variable such as income. The second level concentrates on the supply-side, testing if there is a systematic relationship between product price and its objectively measurable characteristics and evaluating how technical change in the sector influences the diffusion path by matching products' quality change with users' preferences and patterns of adoption over time. Finally, the third level aims at providing evidence on whether conventional models of diffusion are able to provide an adequate explanation of the diffusion of DAPs, and moreover, on how the assumptions underlying these models might be combined or synthesised into a coherent framework.

This dissertation is an ethnography centered around two bands based in Guangzhou and their relationships with one of China’s largest record companies. Bridging ethnomusicology, popular music studies, cultural geography, media studies, vocal anthropology, and the anthropology of infrastructure, it examines emergent forms of musical creativity and modes of circulation as they relate to shifts in concepts of self, space, publics, and state instigated by China’s political and economic reforms. Chapter One discusses a long history of state-sponsored cartographic musical anthologies, as well as Confucian and Maoist ways of understanding the relationships between place, person, and music. These discussions provide a context for understanding contemporary musical cosmopolitanisms that both build upon and disrupt these histories; they also provoke a rethinking of ethnomusicological and related linguistic theorizations about music, place, and subjectivity. Through biographies of seven musicians working in present-day Guangzhou, Chapter Two outlines a concept of “musical subjectivity” that looks to the intersection of personal histories, national histories, and creativity as a means of exploring the role of individual agency and expressive culture in broader cultural shifts. Chapter Three focuses on the intertwining of actual corporeal mobilities and vicarious musical mobilities, and explores relationships between circulations of global popular musics, emergent forms of musical creativity, and an evolving geography of contemporary China. Chapter Four extends these concerns to a discussion of media systems in China, and outlines an approach to “sonic infrastructures” that puts sound studies in dialogue with the anthropology of infrastructure in order to understand how evolving modes of musical circulation and the listening practices associated with them are connected to broader economic, political, and cultural spatialities. Finally, Chapter Five examines the intersecting aesthetic and political implications of popular music sung in local languages (fangyan) by focusing on contemporary forms of articulation between music, language, listening, and place. Taken together, these chapters explore musical cosmopolitanisms as knowledge-making processes that are reconfiguring notions of self, state, publics, and space in contemporary China.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Run-Length-Limited (RLL) channels are found in digital recording systems like the Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Compact Disc (CD), and Digital Versatile Disc (DVD). This thesis presents novel encoding algorithms for RLL channels based on a simple technique called bit stuffing. First, two new capacity-achieving variable-rate code constructions are proposed for (d,k) constraints. The variable-rate encoding ideas are then extended to (0,G/I) and other RLL constraints. Since variable-rate codes are of limited practical value, the second half of this thesis focuses on fixed-rate codes. The fixed-rate bit stuff (FRB) algorithm is proposed for the design of simple, high-rate (0,k) codes. The key to achieving high encoding rates with the FRB algorithm lies in a novel, iterative pre-processing of the fixed-length input sequence prior to bit stuffing. Detailed rate analysis for the proposed FRB algorithm is presented, and upper and lower bounds on the asymptotic (in input block length) encoding rate are derived. Several system-level issues of the proposed FRB codes are addressed, and FRB code parameters required to design rate 100/101 and rate 200/201 (0,k) codes are tabulated. Finally, the proposed fixed-rate encoding is extended to (0,G/I) constraints.

Music recordings contain the mixed contribution of multiple overlapping instruments. In order to better understand the music, it would be beneficial to understand each instrument independently. This thesis focuses on separating the individual instrument recordings within a song. In particular, we propose novel algorithms for separating instrument recordings given only their mixture. When the number of source signals does not exceed the number of mixture signals, we focus on a subclass of source separation algorithms based on joint diagonalization. Each approach leverages a different form of source structure. We introduce repetitive structure as an alternative that leverages unique repetition patterns in music and compare its performance against the other techniques. When the number of source signals exceeds the number of mixtures (i.e. the underdetermined problem), we focus on spectrogram factorization techniques for source separation. We extend single-channel techniques to utilize the additional spatial information in multichannel recordings, and use phase information to improve the estimation of the underlying components.

Indiana is a state rich in musical history. Two cities, in particular-Indianapolis and Richmond-have played significant roles in the evolution and dissemination of jazz music. There have been modest attempts to acknowledge and/or educate Hoosiers about the state's role in the development of ja7.z. However, a level of apathy remains with regard to this aspect of Indiana's cultural heritage. These factors, in conjunction with new development, socioeconomic hardship, and demolition by neglect, have resulted in the loss of countless buildings and sites associated with jazz, music in Indianapolis and Richmond.In the Circle City, Indiana Avenue was a hotbed of ja77. for decades, as were many other scattered downtown sites. All but just a few of these venues are extant today. In Richmond, the Gennett recording studio welcomed the greatest of the early jazz pioneers and pressed millions of records of this genre. The Gennett site lies in ruins today, consisting of remnants of only three structures.There is a need to heighten awareness of the buildings and sites that contributed to the thriving jazz scene in these two cities for the purpose of education, preservation, and interpretation. This thesis has attempted to document and inventory the historical resources associated with jazz in Indianapolis and Richmond in order to facilitate these processes. In addition to the inventory, the two cities are examined in the context of jazz history in Indiana, and current building and site conditions are discussed. / Department of Architecture

Thesis (M.J.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 161-175). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Two non-destructive methods of extracting audio from Edison phonographic cylinders were investigated. A recording device with high accuracy positioning was designed and manufactured. A microscopic image method was investigated first. Surface images of the cylinder were obtained using a webcamera. An audio signal was then extracted from the width modulation. Results were not pleasing as echoes caused by intergroove modulation were perceptable. The audio also lacked resolution. The true modulation of the audio is not embedded in the width, but in the depth of the groove. The second audio extraction method involved using a laser pick-up from a compact disc player to measure the depth of the groove. Three laser recording methods were investigated. The first was forward recording, that measured the depth modulation in the recording direction of the groove. The second method, backward recording, was identical to forward recording with the mechanical system moving in reverse. Four recordings from different positions in the groove were combined to create an audio signal. This combination of recordings showed a substantial improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio. A third recording method, transverse recording, that measured the whole depth profile of the groove was also investigated. The groove profile was then processed to an audio signal. A manual audio restoration program was written to replace visible sections of distorted data with better interpolations. Two speech enhancement methods were investigated, the first being the most commonly used speech enhancement method for digital audio restoration, Short-Time Spectral Attenuation (STSA). The second method is based on linear predictive coefficient (LPC) estimation of short-time frames. The two methods were evaluated by means of listening tests. The LPC enhancement method was preferred because it enhanced the intelligibility of the speech. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Twee nie-destruktiewe metodes om klank van Edison-fonograafsilinders te onttrek, is ondersoek. 'n Opneemtoestel, wat die silinders met baie hoë akkuraatheid posisioneer, IS ontwerp en vervaardig. 'n Mikroskopiese beeldrnetode IS as eerste klankonttrekkingsmetode ondersoek. Mikroskopiese beelde is met 'n webkamera van die silinderoppervlak geneem. Klank is vanuit die wydtemodulasie sigbaar in die beelde onttrek. Resultate was nie bevredigend nie weens groefintermodulasie-eggo's en 'n tekort aan resolusie. Die ware modulasie van die klank is nie in die wydte van die groefie gegraveer nie, maar in die diepte. Die tweede klankonttrekkingsmetode gebruik 'n aangepaste lasersensor van 'n CD-speler om die dieptemodulasie van die groefie te meet. Drie laseropneemmetodes is ondersoek. Die eerste is voorwaartse opname, wat die dieptemodulasie in die opneemrigting van die groefie meet. 'n Tweede opneemmetode, truwaartse opname, is identies aan voorwaartse opname, behalwe dat die meganiese stelsel in trurat beweeg. Vier opnames vanuit verskillende posisies in die groefbreedte is gekombineer om 'n klanksein te vorm. Die kombinasie van vier opnames toon 'n beduidende verbetering op die sein-tot-ruis-verhouding. Dit het aanleiding gegee tot die derde opneemmetode, dwarsskandering, wat die hele profiel van die groef meet. Die groefprofiel word dan verwerk tot 'n klanksein. 'n Handoudiorestourasieprogram is geskryf om sigbare verwringing in die klanksein met beter interpolasies te vervang. Twee spraakverheffingsmetodes is ondersoek. Short- Time Spectral Attenuation (STSA) is die mees gebruikte metode vir oudiorestourasie. 'n Tweede spraakverheffingsmetode wat van 'n lineêre voorspellingskoëffisiëntafskatting (LPC-afskatting) van korttydraampies gebruik maak, is ook toegepas. Die twee metodes is deur luistertoetse teen mekaar opgeweeg. Die LPCmetode is verkies aangesien dit die verstaanbaarheid van die spraak beter behoue laat bly.

Orientador: Pedro Peixoto Ferreira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T12:51:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Malhao_RafaeldaSilva_M.pdf: 19665783 bytes, checksum: 97dedddf16af7fdc50c3ab0adc13a7b9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A presente dissertação tem como objeto e objetivo central compreender o processo tecno-genético de formação dos DJs de Música Eletrônica de Pista (MEP) para uma atuação efetiva frente a uma pista de dança. Para dar conta da tarefa que me propus dediquei-me a analisar este processo a partir de três de abordagens distintas, a saber, tecnologia, técnica e habilidade, que assumem dinâmicas relacionais diferentes que dependem do objetivo e combinação estabelecida entre elas, e a partir destes diferentes cenários relacionais estas combinações orientam ritmos específicos de interação entre humanos e máquinas. Estas combinações e ritmos foram o núcleo para a análise mais profícuo identificado para explorar o DJ como conceito e prática no âmbito da MEP. Estas três abordagens visam desdobrar as questões relativas a cada tópico supracitado e a integração destas abordagens se dá por meio de uma experiência estética não contemplativa. A primeira abordagem tem como preocupação central as diferentes formas em que a tecnologia de reprodução sonora foi relevante para MEP e visa constituir uma base material da mudança tecnológica para as discussões abordadas subsequentemente. A segunda abordagem parte desta base tecnológica a fim de apresentar as possíveis formas de constituição das habilidades, das técnicas e do corpo por meio da atuação sinérgica para fins comuns entre DJs e tecnologias de reprodução sonora. A terceira abordagem se vale das duas anteriores para tentar compreender a relação que se estabelece entre estes modos tecnológicos e técnicos de formação das habilidades e percepção que contribuem na forma de interação entre DJs e pista de dança, atendo-se principalmente, nas potencialidades e especificidades de uma proposta tecno-estética que busca escapar da passividade contemplativa na relação entre público e executores de atos estéticos. Este percurso se fez necessário para a compreensão do papel das tecnologias na formação dos sentidos e das ações a eles correspondentes durante o processo de aprendizado das técnicas sendo elas de discotecagem ou modos de dança. Por fim, identifico, assim como alguns autores que perpassam o texto, que o modo de percepção, bem como o corpo que percebe ? e todas as implicações desta situação ? não são dados a priori, e sim, se constituem ao longo das diferentes interações com o ambiente e com a tecnologia. E que uma abordagem estética que privilegie a experiência estética mediada por objetos que não são necessariamente estéticos, mas objetos que possibilitam diferentes reticulações do espaço e do tempo por meio do seu modo de manipulação e inserção em contextos específicos foi a maneira mais interessante para descrever a relação entre DJs, tecnologias e pista de dança / Abstract: The aim of this study is to understand the techno-genetic process of the development of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) DJs in an effective performance in the dance floor. To be able to accomplish this task I analyse the process from three distinct approaches, namely technology, techniques, and skills that assume different relational dynamics depending on the goal and the combination stabilished among them, and from those different relational scenaries those combinations orient toward specific rhythms of interaction between mankind and machines.These combinations and rhythms were the most proficuous nucleous to the analysis, identified to explore the DJ as concept and practise in EDM. Those three approaches are to unfold the issues regarding each topic above mentioned and the integration of the approaches happens through a non-contemplative aesthetic experience. The first approach aims the different ways sound reproduction technology was relevant to EDM and intends to build a material base of technological change to the discussions subsequently dealt. The second approach derives from said technological base in order to present the possible ways of developing skills, techniques, and body by the synergic movement to common goals between DJs and sound reproduction technology. The third approach derives from the first two aiming to understand the relation stablished among the technological ways and the techniques to form the skills and perceptions that contribute the way of interaction between DJs and the dance floor. It focuses mainly in potencialities and specificity of the techno-aesthetic proposal that tries to scape from contemplative passivity in the relation between the audience and the performer of aesthetic acts. All this process was needed to understand the role the technologies play in the formation of senses and actions corresponding to them during the technique learning process of either DJing or dance moves. Consequently, I identified, as well as some autors who perpassed the text, the fact that the way of perception and the body that perceives and also all implications of this situation are not given a priori, and that way, are constituted during the different interactions with the environment and technology. Also an aesthetic approach that previleges the aesthetic experience mediated by objects not necessarily aesthetic, but objects with different reticulations of the space and the time through their form of manipulation and inserction in specific contexts was the most interesting way to describe the relation between DJs, technologies, and dance floor / Mestrado / Sociologia / Mestre em Sociologia

Thesis (M. Phil. (Music Technology)) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Modern digital signal processing, allowing a much greater degree of flexibility in audio processing and therefore greater potential for noise removal, pitch correction, filtering and editing, has allowed transfer and audio restoration engineers a diversity of ways in which to “improve” or “reinterpret” (in some cases even drastically altering) the original sound of recordings. This has lead to contrasting views regarding the role of the remastering engineer, the nature and purpose of audio restoration and the ethical implications of the restoration process. The influence of audio restoration on the recorded legacy of a performing artist is clearly illustrated in the case of Maria Callas (1923 - 1977), widely regarded not only as one of the most influential and prolific of opera singers, but also one of the greatest classical musicians of all time. EMI, for whom Callas recorded almost exclusively from 1953 - 1969, has reissued her recordings repeatedly, continually adapting their sound “to the perceived preferences of the record-buying public” (Seletsky 2000: 240). Their attempts at improving the sound of Callas’s recordings to meet with the sonic quality expected of modern recordings, as reissued in the latest releases that form part of EMI’s Callas Edition, Great Recordings of the Century (GROTC) and Historical Series, have resulted in often staggeringly different reinterpretations of the same audio material that bear no resemblance to previous CD or LP incarnations or “evince no consolidated conviction about exactly how Callas’s voice should sound.” In essence, some commentators argue that the “Callas sound” we hear on recent CD releases is not necessarily exactly as the great diva might have sounded. The purpose of this study is to consider the influence of audio restoration and remastering techniques on the recorded legacy of Callas, by illustrating the sometimes startlingly different ways in which her voice has been made to sound, examining and comparing the way in which different remasterings of the same audio material can vary in quality, as well as demonstrating how vastly different sonic reinterpretations of a single recording can affect our perception of an artist’s “true” sound. To this end, various reissues of six different complete opera recordings, including four studio recordings: Tosca (1953), Lucia di Lammermoor (1953), Norma (1954), Madama Butterfly (1955), as well as two “live” performances of Macbeth (1953) and La Traviata (1958), have been evaluated and compared, using the “true” sound of Callas’s voice as reference in comparing the different remasterings. Pitch and frequency spectrum analysis was used to confirm or support any subjective claims and observations and further analysis performed with the aid of a specialised Matlab algorithm. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Moderne digitale seinprossesering bied kragtige en veelsydige moontlikhede vir die verwerking van klankseine. Die groter potensiaal vir ruisverwydering, toonhoogte verstelling, filtrering en redigering van opnames bied klankingenieurs ‘n wye verskeidenheid van maniere om die oorspronklike klank van opnames te verbeter, te interpreteer en soms ingrypend te verander. Dit het aanleiding gegee tot teenstrydige en uiteenlopende menings oor die funksie van die klankrestourasie-ingenieur, die aard en doel van klankrestourasie en die etiese gevolge van die restourasieproses. Die invloed van klankrestourasie op die klanknalatenskap van ‘n uitvoerende kunstenaar kan duidelik bestudeer word in die geval van Maria Callas (1923 – 1977), algemeen aanvaar as een van die mees invloedryke en grootse klassieke musici van alle tye. Die platemaatskappy EMI, vir wie Callas feitlik uitsluitlik vanaf 1953 tot 1969 opgeneem het, het haar klankopnames reeds verskeie kere heruitgereik en die klank daarvan deurlopend aangepas om aanklank te vind by die “veronderstelde voorkeure van die publiek” (Seletsky 2000: 240). EMI se pogings om die klank van Callas se opnames te verbeter om aan die klankvereistes van moderne opnames te voldoen, het ontaard in dikwels aangrypend verskillende interpretasies van dieselfde audio materiaal wat geen ooreenkomste toon met vorige laserskyf of langspeelplaat uitgawes nie, asook “geen vasgestelde oortuigings openbaar oor hoe Callas se stem presies moet klink nie.” Sommige critici argumenteer dat die “Callas klank” wat ons op hedendaagse CD uitgawes hoor, nie noodwendig klink soos wat Callas werklik geklink het nie. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die invloed van klankrestourasie op die klanknalatenskap van Callas te bestudeer deur die verskillende wyses waarop die klank van haar stem aangepas is te illustreer, die verskille in klankkwaliteit tussen verskillende uitgawes van dieselfde materiaal te ondersoek en te vergelyk, asook te demonstreer hoe uiteenlopend verskillende interpretasies van ‘n enkele opname die persepsie van ‘n kunstenaar se “ware” klank kan affekteer. Vir hierdie doel is verkeie uitgawes van ses verskillende volledige opera opnames, insluitend vier studio opnames van onderskeidelik Tosca (1953), Lucia di Lammermoor (1953), Norma (1954) en Madama Butterfly (1955), asook twee “lewendige” opnames van Macbeth (1952) en La Traviata (1958) bestudeer deur Callas se “ware” klank as maatstaf te gebruik om die onderskeie opnames te vergelyk. Toonhoogte- en frekwensie spektrum analise, asook analise deur middel van ‘n gespesialiseerde Matlab algoritme, is deurlopend gebruik om enige subjektiewe gevolgtrekkings en waarnemings te staaf.