Automatic Track Recognition

Automatic Track Recognition (ATR) enables the Stereo Workstation to determine which Track is currently playing and then to load the Track Adjustment that corresponds to that Track. This ability is essential since there can be hundreds of CD/DVDs and Import Discs containing thousands of Tracks and Music files each with different Track Adjustments. Note that each Music file in an Import Disc is considered to be a Track in that Import Disc.

The Stereo Workstation accomplishes this by determining a Track Vector for each Track. A Track Vector is a set of numbers that is calculated from the first several seconds of the Digital Audio Data from a Track. This set of numbers completely characterizes the Track. A Track Vector is a vector in the sense that it is a set of numbers that points to the Track Adjustment for a Track.

During the first Disc Session with a CD/DVD or Import Disc, the Workstation listens to the first several seconds of each Track and calculates the Track Vector for each Track. These Track Vectors are stored along with the Track Adjustment for each Track. The following image shows the Auto Vector Scan screen that is displayed while the Stereo Workstation is acquiring the Track Vectors for a Disc.

The Stereo Workstation continuously listens to the Digital Audio Data, several seconds ahead of the Music that is currently playing, and calculates possible Track Vectors. When a Track Vector is calculated that matches the Track Vector of the next Track on the Disc the Stereo Workstation knows that the end of the current Track is now playing. The Track Adjustment for the next Track in the Track Order List is loaded and the Player is commanded to play that Track or the next Music file is played. Now the Stereo Workstation listens for the next Track after this Track by calculating Track Vectors. In this way the Tracks are automatically played in the Track Order List sequence and the correct Track Adjustments are loaded for each Track.