Masking of complex sound-technical notes for realization of constant signal-noise-ratio

Based an findings regarding unconscious semantic information-processing for meaningful Visual stimuli, this paper describes a standardized procedure f or the construction of constant signal to noise ratio for the masking of co mplex sounds. The proposed algorithm is derived from psychoacoustical laws concerning frequency and time-weighting of sound. Spectral characteristics are taken into account by mixing signal and white noise within frequency ra nges defined through critical bandwidth ("narrow-band masking"). Furthermor e, time-weighting is taken into account using sound-pressure patterns gener ated through low pass filters which follow the international specification DIN IEC 651 which provides specification for sound-level meters. Hardware a nd software circuits are described in detail. This proposal overcomes recog nized lack of standardized methods in studies addressing unconscious semant ic processing of auditory stimuli.