Institute for Telecommunication Sciences / Research / Quality of Experience / Audio Quality Research / Public Safety Audio Quality / Audio Source Files
Audio Source Files
Talker and Background Noise Source Files
Following are clean, high-quality, talker-only and background noise-only audio files. These files were used to mix talker audio with background noise audio to create the files for the MRT experiments reported in 2008, 2010,* and 2012. Click on Test Audio & Results to download the files that combine talker and background noise audio passed through public safety communications systems, as well as the listener results data collected for each experiment.
*This report was readied in 2010 and moving through channels for a different publishing outlet. It was published as a National Telecommunications and Information Administration Report in 2013.
Atkinson, D. and A. Catellier, “Intelligibility of Analog FM and Updated P25 Radio Systems in the Presence of Fireground Noise: Test Plan and Results,” NTIA Technical Report TR-13-495, May 2013.
You can use the MRT audio files provided here with the ITS-developed software tool for objective estimation of speech intelligibility (technical paper here). The software tool, called ABC-MRT (available here), reduces the time and expense usually associated with MRT experiments to gauge speech intelligibility.
Downloading and Using Compressed Files
The download process is simple, but please read these steps completely before attempting to download files so that you understand what you agree to by downloading the files.
-
Review the Terms of Use following these steps. Ensure you are in agreement with the terms of the license. If you do not agree with the terms, do not check the box labeled Yes, I agree to the Terms of Use...
-
If you agree with the Terms of Use, check the box and then click Submit.
-
A table of files displays.
-
In the file table, click the name of a compressed file to download it.
-
File sizes can be 2GB or more, so be patient.
Some compressed files might include several subfolders and over 1,000 files. Take care to review the readme.txt files, which provide important information concerning the files contained within a given folder. Audio files are WAV format. Results data from our 2008, 2010,* and 2012 MRT experiments is provided in csv, mat, and xls format.
*This report was readied in 2010 and moving through channels for a different publishing outlet. It was published as a National Telecommunications and Information Administration Report in 2013.
Atkinson, D. and A. Catellier, “Intelligibility of Analog FM and Updated P25 Radio Systems in the Presence of Fireground Noise: Test Plan and Results,” NTIA Technical Report TR-13-495, May 2013.
Contact Us
Tell us how the materials helped your research.
File Download Click-Through Checkbox
Yes, I agree to the Terms of Use...
Click-Through Checkbox:
Carefully read the following license Agreement. To use this library and any content posted or otherwise included thereon, you accept and agree to be bound by this Agreement by checking the box labeled Yes, I agree to the Terms of Use... and then clicking Submit.
By checking the box labeled Yes, I agree to the Terms of Use... and then clicking Submit, this Agreement shall be considered legally binding on you as an individual.
MRT Library Content User License:
NIST/CTL and NTIA/ITS (The PSCR program, or “PSCR”) hereby grants permission for you (or your organization) to use the Modified Rhyme Test Audio Library (“MRT Library”) and any audio files or other content posted thereon (“Library Content”), solely for internal research and development purposes to process and assess audio quality. You will not use, copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, prepare derivative works, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license or otherwise exploit the Library Content for any other purpose whatsoever. You shall not distribute any Library Content to any third party. You agree to destroy any and all copies of Library Content, if any are made, upon conclusion of the relevant audio processing and/or testing.
PSCR reserves the right to withdraw permission to use any Library Content at anytime for any reason.
IN NO EVENT SHALL PSCR BE LIABLE TO ANY PART FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE WEBSITE OR ANY AUDIO FILE OR DOCUMENTATION POSTED OR OTHERWISE INCLUDED THEREON, EVEN IF PSCR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. PSCR SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE LIBRARY CONTENT, INCLUDING ANY AUDIO FILES POSTED OR OTHERWISE INCLUDED THEREON, IS PROVIDED HEREUNDER ON AN “AS-IS” BASIS FOR INTERNAL USES CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT.
You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless PSCR and the U.S. Department of Commerce and their officers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expense (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from (1) your violation of any term of this Agreement; or, (2) your use of the Library Content outside the scope of this Agreement. This defense and indemnification obligation will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
You agree that the laws of the United States as interpreted and applied by the Federal courts in the District of Columbia shall apply to this Agreement, regardless of the conflict of laws provisions thereof, that this Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between you and PSCR with respect to the Library Content. If any provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver of any term of this Agreement shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term.
You shall use reasonable efforts to acknowledge the MRT Library and PSCR in any publication that is based upon the use of the MRT Library.
You agree that this license Agreement may be assigned by PSCR to any third party who assumes the management of the MRT Library.
1