Restoring the Earliest Sound Recordings
Marjorie Shapiro, Professor
Physics
Applications for Spring 2025 are closed for this project.
LBNL researchers developed a novel method to restore early sound recordings using methods from precision optical metrology and data analysis (see: irene.lbl.gov). These methods have been applied to a number of important historical collections of early recorded sound. Over the past two years a project at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC has been using these tools to collect data from a collection of sound recordings from the 1880’s which were created by Alexander Graham Bell. This URAP project will focus on analysis of the data collected at the Smithsonian in order to extract these historic recordings and create access for the public and for researchers. The URAP student will learn to use an analysis package developed for this work and perform detailed studies to optimize the approach to noise reduction and audio extraction. Opportunities to develop additional software may be available to students with coding skills as well. Students with backgrounds in music, signal or image processing, and/or audio editing/production may find this project of particular interest.
Qualifications: Some programming skill is preferred. Expect to work under the supervision of a senior research scientist around 9 hours per week on a regular schedule.
NOTE: Due to Lawrence Berkeley Lab regulations, we cannot consider any applicant who is under 18 years of age.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Dr. Carl Haber
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: LBNL building 50
Mathematical and Physical Sciences Arts & Humanities