Algorithm

Procedure for solving a mathematical problem.
Source: Master Handbook of Acoustics

An algorithm in acoustics is a set of instructions for solving a specific problem or performing a specific task in acoustics. Algorithms in acoustics can be used for a variety of purposes, including analyzing and processing audio signals, modeling and simulating sound fields and acoustical environments, and predicting and measuring acoustical properties.

Examples of algorithms in acoustics include:

1. Signal processing algorithms: Used to analyze, manipulate, and process audio signals, including filtering, compression, and spectral analysis.
2. Acoustical modeling algorithms: Used to model and simulate sound fields and acoustical environments, including room acoustics, noise propagation, and sound insulation.
3. Speech and audio coding algorithms: Used to represent speech and audio signals in a compact form, such as in digital audio compression standards.
4. Acoustical measurement algorithms: Used to predict and measure acoustical properties, such as sound pressure level, sound absorption, and speech intelligibility.
5. Active noise control algorithms: Used to reduce noise in real-time, such as in noise cancelling headphones or soundproofing materials.

Algorithms in acoustics can be implemented in software or hardware, and can be designed to be used in a wide range of applications, from music and audio production, to telecommunications, to environmental and architectural acoustics. Effective algorithms in acoustics are often the result of interdisciplinary research, drawing on principles from physics, engineering, mathematics, and computer science.