DAFx17 Tutorial 3: Dave Berners - Modeling Circuits with Nonlinearities in Discrete Time

Presented at the 20th International Conference on Digital Audio Effects (DAFx17)
Tuesday 5th September 2017, Edinburgh
http://dafx17.eca.ed.ac.uk/

Tutorial Abstract:
Modeling techniques for circuits with nonlinear components will be discussed. Nodal analysis and K-method models will be developed and compared in the context of delay-free loop resolution. Standard discretization techniques will be reviewed, including forward- and backward-difference and bilinear transforms. Interaction between nonlinearities and choice of discretization method will be discussed. Piecewise functional models for memoryless nonlinearities will be developed, as well as iterative methods for solving equations with no analytic solution. Emphasis will be placed on Newton's method and related techniques. Convergence and seeding for iterative methods will be reviewed. Relative computational expense will be discussed for piecewise vs. iterative approaches. Time permitting, modeling of time-varying systems will be discussed.

Speaker Bio:
David Berners is Chief Scientist of Universal Audio Inc., a hardware and software manufacturer for the professional audio market. At UA, Dr. Berners leads research and development efforts in audio effects processing, including dynamic range compression, equalization, distortion and delay effects, and specializing in modeling of vintage analog equipment. He is also an adjunct professor at CCRMA at Stanford University, where he teaches a graduate class in audio effects processing. Dr. Berners has held positions at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Allied Signal. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University, M.S. from Caltech, and his S.B. from MIT, all in electrical engineering.