Analysing and classifying underwater acoustic signals can be a daunting task. To simplify the process, we have developed standardised procedures and dedicated software. These innovative tools help researchers and operators create detailed spectrograms and visual analyses, allowing them to extract critical information quickly and efficiently.
Most of the following procedures are for MS Windows machines, but we are trying to extend the packages to OSX also!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What our processes offer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Impeccable organisation: Forget messy audio files! Our procedures standardise file nomenclature<\/strong>, ensuring a clear and easily interpretable timeline. Several file naming conventions have been proposed in the field of underwater acoustics, each with its own rationale. After careful evaluation, we have chosen to adopt a widely recognized format, aligned with that used by devices such as SoundTrap:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples of Compliant File Names:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can easily find your preferred file renaming utility<\/strong> if you need to rename a whole batch of files and\/or if your recordings do not yet match this standard. We suggest BulkRenameUtility<\/a> which is tested, free for personal use and is easy and highly configurable. This standard (acb_acb_.YYMMDDhhmmss.wav) is mandatory.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you have a list of audio files it is time to download and install a set of tools that will be needed to manage the files extracting the information you need. All links (and projects) are external unless specified, so we have nothing to do with their great developers.
Guaranteed reliability: An automatic integrity check of the audio files (WAV)<\/strong> ensures that the data is error-free and ready for analysis.
Customised spectrograms: Generate spectrograms <\/strong>with a standard 15 minute time window optimised for your research needs. Adjust basic parameters for optimal signal visualisation.
Overview: Create extended timelines<\/strong> (as an option) to visualise longer periods of time in a single image, making it easier to identify long-term patterns.
Intuitive classification: Visually classify the contents<\/strong> of spectrograms to identify signal classes of interest. Generate data tables ready for graphing and statistical analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFile Naming Options: Towards a Shared Standard<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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lavagna-44D45.241211090655.wav<\/code>test_33D566.250214153411.wav<\/code>
…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always consider that changing filenames is a critical operation. You might loose crucial information is you make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen you have a file list with SOUNDS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The tools you need are a few:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Once you have installed SoX please remember to add its path to your system variables. (If you have no idea about what we are talking about, please seek help among friends).<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n
This is a simplified interface that helps working with SoX. You will download a Windows executable that installs the libraries you need.
Please consider that the generator will only work if the Sox and the ffmpeg libraries are already installed on your system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nSpectrogram Generator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n