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Publications

Deep Learning and Differentiable Optimisation

Closed-Loop Differentiable Optimisation for Active Acoustics

2026 - The 19th International Workshop on Acoustic Signal Enhancement

Cassidy, W. J., Coleman, P., Mason, R., Venkatesh, S., Lladó, P. and De Sena, E.


Summary

This study proposes a closed-loop optimisation pipeline for active acoustic enhancement systems that accounts for sound propagation into, within, and out of the system—rather than optimising only the open-loop transfer paths. This method enables a multitude of optimisation tasks including matching a target room's late reverberation.

Perceptual Evaluation and Genre-Specific Training of Deep Neural Network Models of a High-Gain Guitar Amplifier

2023 - The 26th International Conference on Digital Audio Effects

Cassidy, W. J. and De Sena, E.


Summary

This paper evaluates DNN models (LSTM-RNN and WaveNet-based CNN) of a high-gain guitar amplifier using subjective listening tests, finding that genre-specific training makes the LSTM-RNN model perceptually indistinguishable from the real amplifier. All models were rated as realistic and non-inferior in preference despite minor accuracy differences.

Perception of Active Acoustics

Active Acoustic Enhancement Systems: A Review

2026 - The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

Cassidy, W. J., De Bortoli, G. M., Prawda, K., Coleman, P., Mason, R., Lokki, T., Schlecht, S. J. and De Sena, E.


Summary

Active acoustic enhancement systems (AAESs) use microphones, loudspeakers and processing to modify a space's reverberation; this article reviews the field's modelling, topologies and research, using simulations to illustrate key conditions and outline future directions.

Naturalness of Double-Slope Decay in Generalised Active Acoustic Enhancement Systems

2024 - The 27th International Conference on Digital Audio Effects

Cassidy, W. J., Coleman, P., Mason, R. and De Sena, E.


Summary

Double-slope energy decay can be found in active acoustic systems whose artificial reverberation time (RT) significantly exceeds the natural RT of the room. This was found to significantly reduce perceived naturalness beyond an RT ratio of around two times.

Perceptual Model of Active Acoustic Enhancement Systems

2026 - Preprint, available at SSRN (link below)

Cassidy, W. J., Mason, R., Coleman, P., Lladó, P. and De Sena, E.


Summary

Linear and nonlinear models of perceived unpleasantness in active acoustic enhancement systems. Five new metrics are proposed to quantify artefacts of room acoustics, which are used to fit transient and harmonic sub-models. The metrics and models were evaluated with three listening tests.

Awards

Winners - MuseHub Hackathon

2024 - Queen Mary University of London

Awarded to Cassidy, W. J., Paterson-Stephens, L. and Strange, M. for a collision-based delay plugin developed in 24 hours.

Focusrite Prize for Technical Achievement

2023 - University of Surrey

"For the most outstanding final year technical project."

Jim Abbiss Pop Recording Prize

2023 - University of Surrey

"For the most outstanding pop recording on a final year portfolio."

AMS-Neve Portfolio Prize

2023 - University of Surrey

"For the most outstanding final year recording portfolio."

Industrial PhD

Perception and Optimisation of Active Acoustics

2023-2027 | University of Surrey, L-Acoustics


Our project focused on the perception of active acoustic environments, using PyTorch to minimise spatial energy decay and frequency response loss functions to emulate a range of target rooms in multi-purpose halls. Main contributions:
  • JASA review paper for active acoustics
  • First perceptual model for active acoustics
  • First differentiable optimisation of active reverberation to match a target room

Programming and Software

  • Python, PyTorch, NumPy - Optimisation Techniques
  • MATLAB - AKtools Simulations and Plotting
  • Treble SDK (Python) - Simulations
  • Max MSP - Perceptual Test Design
  • IBM SPSS - Statistical Analysis
  • Fork, GitHub, Trello - Collaboration and Agile/Scrum
  • Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator - Graphics
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Presentations

  • Presented over 70 slideshows at conferences, workshops, research seminar days and project meetings.
  • Consolidated low-level technical material into digestible content for general audiences.
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Measurements and Listening Tests

  • Run full-system exponential sine sweep measurement campaigns with 6th order Ambisonics arrays
  • Conducted seven perceptual experiments including MUSHRA, ABX, and novel multiple-stimulus methodologies
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Audio Plugin Development

2025–2026

Ember DSP Ltd


All developed with C++ (JUCE), Blender, Photoshop and occasionally OpenGL.

Stratos

A barber-pole phaser for creating infinitely rising and falling atmospheres. While most (if not all) phasers feature fixed notches, our decoupled design provides unique modulation possible such as randomisation, skew and bouncing.
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Transcendence

An all-in-one effects unit for slushwave production. Featuring infinite reverb, barber-pole phasing, nonlinear tape delay, auto-threshold compression and multiband compression. We've worked closely with the artist 'desert sand feels warm at night' for promotion.
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2023

Tonmeister Final-Year Coursework


Nostalgia

Emulation of the Replicator tape delay guitar pedal. Probably my favourite coursework of the undergrad! This features a fractional delay that smoothly glides pitch as the animated tape reels speed up/down. Additionally: tape distortion with magnetic hysteresis, feedback filtering with clean and dirty tape head modes and chorus modulation.
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Skyline

A silly MIDI arpeggiator where each building represents the pitch transposition of each note. Reminds me of a game I used to play in school.
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2021–2022

Offensive Plugins Ltd


OX20 Spring Reverb

An unreleased model of an AKG BX20 spring reverb. I built this during my placement year at The Dairy Studios by using multiple impulse response measurements of their unit for convolution. Additional vacuum tube drive was a fun addition.
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Glass

One of the more polished releases of our first company, Offensive Plugins. Designed to be a transparent compressor (get it...?). You can tell this was the last plugin before I thought of using Blender for the GUI!
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Mixing & Recording

Recording Engineer

2021-2022 | The Dairy Studios, Brixton


During my undergraduate placement year, I joined The Dairy as one of two in-house engineers. Responsibilities included running recording sessions, communicating with A&R personnel and soldering patch bays.

Engineering

  • Performed vocal and drums editing for artists including Fontaines DC, Joesef and Joy Crookes
  • Led vocal recording sessions for Swae Lee, Prince of Falls and Yazmin Lacey
  • Recorded podcast material for That Peter Crouch Podcast and with Jordan Rakei
  • Developed proficiency in ProTools and dialling in outboard workflows with 1073, 1176 and CL1B units.
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Recording and Mixing Engineer

2024 | Freelance


Clear EP

  • Led recording sessions for drums, vocals and guitar (live and re-amped) using Neve 88RS and Neve 88D consoles.
  • Mixed the EP and conducted in-person recall sessions with the artist
  • Used ProTools while processing through outboard including the 1176, Distressor and Culture Vulture.
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Events & Volunteering

Extra Work During PhD

2023-2027 | University of Surrey


Immersive Sound & Lighting Event

  • Built lighting display in reaction to spatial audio signals
  • DMX programming for laser and festoon control
  • Communicated with artist to help realise their vision
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DAFx Website, Graphics and Organisation

  • Created website, logo & animations, banners, namecards and awards for the DAFx 2024 conference
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Audio Programming Workshops

  • Conducted two 3-hour workshops for final-year Tonmeister undergraduate students on integrating graphics in C++ audio plugins
  • Presented a tutorial on designing colourless feedback-delay networks to PhD students and post-doctoral staff
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Ad Campaigns

Plugin Promo

2025-2026 | Ember DSP


This came about as we needed to promote our plugins, and I thought how hard could it be? I've always enjoyed creating videos, and it was fun!

One-Day Shoot

  • Created a trailer, a ten-minute tutorial and five portrait reels
  • Storyboarding and content planning
  • Conducted interview and co-produced
  • Camera operated
  • Edited and colour graded

New Plugin Release

  • A mixture of Blender renders, handheld video and drone footage
  • Edited and graded in DaVinci Resolve
  • Audio in Reaper

Hobbies

Content coming soon.

Will J. Cassidy


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