Database of Volumetric and Real-Time Vocal Tract MRI for Speech Science

We present the USC Speech and Vocal Tract Morphology MRI Database, a 17-speaker magnetic resonance imaging database for speech research. The database consists of real-time magnetic resonance images (rtMRI) of dynamic vocal tract shaping, denoised audio recorded simultaneously with rtMRI, and 3D volumetric MRI of vocal tract shapes during sustained speech sounds. We acquired 2D real-time MRI of vocal tract shaping during consonant-vowel-consonant sequences, vowel-consonant-vowel sequences, read passages, and spontaneous speech. We acquired 3D volumetric MRI of the full set of vowels and continuant consonants of American English. Each 3D volumetric MRI was acquired in one 7-second scan in which the participant sustained the sound. This is the first database to combine rtMRI of dynamic vocal tract shaping and 3D volumetric MRI of the entire vocal tract. The database provides a unique resource with which to examine the relationship between vocal tract morphology and vocal tract function. The USC Speech and Vocal Tract Morphology MRI Database is provided free for research use at http://sail.usc.edu/span/morphdb.