Log-magnitude modelling of auditory tuning curves

We propose the novel application of a technique for filter design that can accurately fit measured tuning curves for the auditory fibres in the log-magnitude domain. This method provides pole-zero filters with guaranteed stability, and its log-magnitude domain criterion allows tuning curves with very steep slopes to be accurately modelled with an 8/sup th/ to 10/sup th/ order pole-zero filter. Thus, this technique can also be used to design a new set of critical band filters with superior frequency domain characteristics compared with the well-known gammatone filter bank. The filter bank designed using this technique has applications in auditory-based speech and audio analysis.