Algorithm-based Assistive Audio Recording Application

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Customer

A UK-based technology company providing hearing solutions and assistive listening devices (ALDs).

Problem

The client had a development partner based in India and a local UI/UX consulting firm who had been working on their product — a high quality recording application for Android and iOS devices enabling easy-to-use audio recording, editing and analysis. Unfortunately, the Indian developer faced a challenge that they couldn’t overcome. The client urgently needed external help to resolve the issue and release their product. The service provider was to possess extensive audio and software application building experience, while having the project management and quality controls organized against the U.S. standards.

The major issue Softeq was expected to deal with in the first place was insufficient suppression of high-frequency and low-frequency noises which significantly impacted the quality of the recorded audio. The resulting solution was to aid students with dyslexic problems in grasping the lecture material by recording the lecturer’s speech and analyzing it during playback. So achieving high audio recording quality was key.

Solution

It is an audio recording application that allows creating audio files organized in a simple PC style filing system for easy retrieval of recordings. The audio and bookmark files can be uploaded to a number of note-taking management programs for subsequent playback, editing and further study.

To achieve high quality of the recording, Softeq’s team implemented custom regulators to compensate for noise distortions based on a special algorithm. It enables the app to assess the incoming sound properties and process it so that it corresponds to a more acceptable quality level by verifying the following parameters:

Checking the Automatic Gain Control of the device is in ‘Off’ mode
Measuring the RMS sound level and depending on the min and max threshold set modifying it to the required value if the sound is:
- - constantly high
- - constantly low
- - high sharp

Technical Characteristics:

Allows up to 100 hours recording depending on the device
Records in MP4 and WAV file formats
Offers 4 different quality settings

Functional Features:

An unlimited number of bookmarks enabling the user to record and then scroll between bookmarks during the playback for easier note-taking recall, editing and analysis
Taking photographs while recording, store and export with the associated audio and bookmark files
Easy manipulation of files and folders
Export via email, Dropbox or WiFi
Listen and record at the same time
Tuner
Black background lighting option for use in darkened lecture halls or classrooms

Methodology

The team employed some Scrum (Agile) methods, including daily meetings and sprint-based development.

Results

The project has been successfully delivered by the deadline allowing enough time for bug fixing and successful commercial launch of the application on Google Play and the App Store. The customer plans to further utilize Softeq’s software development expertise to create MAC and PC desktop application versions.

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