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The Phonetics Laboratory
Our phonetics laboratory is located within the Research Center Deutscher Sprachatlas. Its central feature is a DeSone booth, which is a soundproof room that can be used to make recordings or conduct behavioural experiments as well as electroencephalography (EEG) studies. The laboratory is operated by the research groups phonetics and neurolinguistics and supervised by Ulrike Domahs and Mathias Scharinger. Markus Jesberg is responsible for technical support.
- Lab manager: Markus Jesberg
- Diary for the phonetics laboratory: occupancy (external link)
- Introductory laboratory guide: currently being revised
Experimental possibilities
Behavioral experiments / Reaction time studies
In our soundproof booth, we are able to conduct behavioural experiments measuring reaction times with an accuracy of a few milliseconds using a reaction time box (RTBox). It is controlled through MATLAB. The RTBox is connected to a recording computer via USB and due to an integrated chip, it can register up to 4 different answers that can be analysed after the experiment. Experimental stiumlation is carried out using free-field presentation (speakers), high-quality headphones (BeyerDynamics DT 900), or, for visual stimuli, a 24" screen.
EEG experiments / Electrophysiological studies
Our booth also enables us to conduct electrophysiological studes. For those, we use a BrainProducts amplifier (BrainAmp) with passive and active electrodes or the mobile system LiveAmp (currently only a 1-bit trigger channel). With the BrainAmp amplifier, it is possible to use 32 and 64 channel EEG caps (easy-CAP).
Speech recordings / Speech production studies
Our booth disposes of a high-quality microphone, which enables us to make recordings of a professional quality. The entire audio infrastructure is managed via a Behringer 24-bit mixer allowing for countless possibilities of blending and recording. Furthermore, we are able to conduct experiments looking at speech production in our booth. In addition, there is measuring equipment for electromyography, pneumotachography, laryngography and ultrasound.
Audiometry
The laboratory also allows for experimental set-ups using audiometry. The corresponding measuring equipment can be borrowed from Markus Jesberg.
Software
Programs for stimulation and analysis
For experimental stimulation and analyses of all kinds of empirical data, we use the software programs MATLAB (including Psychtoolbox, fieldtrip, EEGLab, STRAIGHT, Psycho-Acoustics Toolbox, MIRToolbox), Octave, Python (anaconda distribution), OpenSesame, EEProbe, PRAAT and Audacity.