From Passion to Profession, Prof. Tsai Yuding Specializes in the Various Possibilities of Acoustics

With more than 20 years of experience in electric guitar playing, he understands guitarists' pursuit, desire and love of collecting equipment very well. Because of this passion, I want to know more about related majors. "Since I have been exposed to electronic musical instruments in college, I have really wanted to rebuild real speakers into digital virtual speakers using computer programming technology."

Prof. Tsai graduated from Feng Chia University with a PhD degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, specializing in AI artificial intelligence and audio analysis and identification. He is currently a full-time associate professor in the precision system design and electroacoustics program of the school. Prof. Tsai was recommended by our school in 2020 and went to the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) and the University of Nuremberg (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, FAU) to study acoustic processing systems and automatic AAI technology ( Automatic artificial intelligent, or Hyper-automation), two-way combination of physical machines and artificial intelligence data control analysis to achieve the goal of hyper-automation.

Research on the Combination of Acoustics and Artificial Intelligence

Prof. Tsai took "The application of artificial intelligence integration method based on audio signal to automated monitoring" as the research project theme, combining acoustics and AI artificial intelligence. In the first year of traveling to Germany, in the first half of the year, he worked with Prof. Ercan, Dean of the Institute of Acoustics at TUD, and Dr. Klippel, President of Klippel GmbH, a world-renowned electro-acoustic equipment company. Dr. Klippel has been researching in the field of electroacoustic measurement for 30 years. Since 2009, he has held short-term electroacoustic technology seminars in Fengjia every year, leading Fengjia electroacoustic teachers and students and Taiwan electroacoustic industry for project research and teaching. , Spare no effort to cultivate technical talents for the industry. The technical exchanges between Dr. Klippel and TUD Acoustics Institute are also very close, which makes the academic exchanges of Prof. Tsai richer and more fulfilling.

Prof. Tsai (left) had dinner with Dr. Klippel, conducted acoustic research and exchanges, and chatted with each other.

In the second half of the year, he was researching automated AAI technology with Prof. Franke at the University of Erlangen Nuremberg in Germany. Through the development of transnational AI super-automatic monitoring technology, we will study how to use AI to build a production sequence prediction learning model to monitor industrial time series data (such as sound, current, force, and vibration), and practice and use Cloud-to-Fog Edge Computing Solve the problem of communication training and integration of machines between various AI models under the Meta-Learning framework. In this regard, Prof. Tsai also mentioned that the German acoustic machines, digital networks, and sensing instruments are abundant in resources. Therefore, the time series data of the equipment operation is very good, which greatly facilitates the progress of research.

Prof. Tsai (left) and his partners are in the Acoustics Laboratory of Dresden University of Technology.

Prof. Tsai said that while professional and technical exchanges, we can also see the different thinking under different cultural backgrounds; Germany and Taiwan have very different scheduling in machine technology. Germans think more rigorously and systematically, and they work step by step after formulating methods. Every aspect of the machine will be systematically processed. On the other hand, Taiwanese people’s thinking mode is more flexible and adaptable. "If a machine has a problem, the Germans will check each step independently, while the Taiwanese are good at integrating resources internally and externally to solve them." Different ways of thinking and operation The method is not only a professional exchange, but also a cultural shock; the two countries have completely different attitudes in dealing with things, just to get complementary effects.

Academic exchanges between Taiwan and Germany under the epidemic

Prof. Tsai also mentioned that German colleagues have straightforward personalities. When discussing common issues with each other, it is easy to grasp each other's key points and each other's ideas, and the research expression is even more intuitive. In order to prove their ideas, they will have a strong and rapid practical power. The discussion in the morning and the afternoon may have actual results for reference. It is worth mentioning that they attach great importance to the afternoon tea time. They walked out of their respective research rooms and gathered together for exchanges and discussions during simple food chats, and sparked new sparks.

At Fau, Prof. Tsai had a good time with my colleagues. In addition to exchanging professional skills, they also promoted cultural exchanges.

The cultural differences between Taiwan and Germany are also reflected in epidemic prevention measures. The exchange period in Germany coincided with the spread of the epidemic in Europe. Compared with Taiwan's strict security from the beginning, many people even purchase supplies for the people's livelihood in large quantities. Prof. Tsai said that when he first arrived in Germany, he did not feel the shadow of the epidemic. Few pedestrians wear masks on the road. Although it is stipulated that bars and other entertainment venues are not open, and students’ attendance is also affected, the news will not report the epidemic. People see it like the flu.

Until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany began to enter the city, and Prof. Tsai also adjusted the rhythm of life. During this period, he combined software technology with his own interest in electronic guitars, and combined with professional laboratory equipment to design digital virtual sound effects. The prototype of Audio plug-in technology was brought back to Taiwan and taught Feng Chia students' academic technology and programming.

Interest in music with professional practice

After returning to Taiwan from Germany, Prof. Tsai led the students to develop a series of steps suitable for computers and handheld devices from engineering knowledge, including acoustics, computers, measurement science, data analysis, etc., in a course that facilitates electro-acoustic digital signal processing. Music plug-in software running on. Combining software technology with audio expertise, a virtual music effect is constructed with programming technology, which visualizes sound signals and presents high-realistic dynamic timbres. "I expect that this research work is not just academic research, it will be a forward-looking technology that can interact with students or the outside world, and it will be a fun that can be carried out." Through the computer's programming interface, you can experience electro-acoustic music on the spot, and actually operate it. This is a combination of academics and interests, as well as a symphony of music and engineering.

Prof. Tsai (left) and students jointly develop music creation plug-in software, and use programming technology to construct a high-fidelity virtual sound effect device that visualizes sound and presents a sense of real analogy dynamics.

The use of acoustics, cross-domain and various possibilities

Including the sound effects of the opera house, and even the home sound insulation projects, they are all closely linked to sound and life. In addition, the combination of acoustic processing technology and AI data processing, through the sound of mechanical operation, monitors the internal wear rate, and accurately grasps the maintenance schedule, reflecting the development potential of electro-acoustic engineering applications.

In Prof. Tsai’s class, there are both engineering students and audio equipment industry personnel. The field of acoustics spans a very wide range, such as the acoustic effects of concert halls, or the noise recognition technology of compressors and other machinery, are all daily personal acoustic experiences.

The acoustic mechanism design and noise detection and identification technology developed by the FCU’s electroacoustic team. Teachers and students have won the gold medals of the first and seventh Melody Electroacoustic Paper Awards, and transferred the technology to the industry to develop high-end domestic products. Headphones and related products. As a team member, Mr. Cai brought back new technologies and new visions after he went to Germany for exchanges.

The development of music creation plug-in software has made Prof. Tsai feel that "research is not just academic research, it will be a forward-looking technology that can interact with students or the outside world, and it is a fun that can be unfolded." Combination of professional interests, needs After exploring the time, Prof. Tsai said that he thinks that the school encourages students to exchange abroad, so he urges students to step into the world, must learn the language well, and actively seize the opportunity to travel. The most important thing is to keep an open heart and accept cross-domain communication at any time. It is also hoped that students in different fields will be involved in the development of acoustics, combining acoustics with sound electronics, sound engineering, electrical circuits, and architectural acoustics to create more Various possibilities for multiple acoustics.

Prof. Tsai (1st from the left) hopes that the forward-looking technology software he has developed so far can, like his favorite music, also make everyone full of infinite fun.