THE USE OF THE MATRIX PENCIL METHOD FOR THE SPECTRUM ANALYSIS OF MUSICAL SIGNALS

In the context of spectrum analysis, high-resolution estimation method s present interesting alternatives to classical Fourier transform. The se methods are based on the assumption that the analyzed signal is com posed of damped sinusoids, and yield estimates of their parameters: fr equencies, damping factors, original amplitudes, and phases. This pape r investigates the use of a specific high-resolution estimation method , the matrix-pencil method, for the spectrum analysis of musical signa ls. In spite of its computational cost, this technique is shown to ach ieve extremely good results in the case of highly damped signals, shor t data records, or close frequencies.