MIXER 4 Overview

Thank you for your interest in MIXER 4, a study supporting linguistic research, technology development and education conducted by the Linguistic Data Consortium (LDC) at the University of Pennsylvania.

The purpose of the MIXER 4 study is to collect conversational speech in a variety of settings. Because we are looking for new vocal data, participants of other previous or current Mixer studies are ineligible for MIXER 4.

The study will consist of ten 10-minute phone conversations. Two of the ten calls will be conducted and recorded at the Linguistic Data Consortium in Philadelphia, PA, or ICSI in Berkeley, CA. Participants will need to schedule two separate sessions. Each session involves one ten-minute phone conversation. Thus, each visit to the LDC or ICSI entails only a 15 to 20 minute commitment. On-site call sessions must be held on non-consecutive days.

Phone calls consist of 10-minute conversations with other MIXER participants. All calls will be held in English. When you sign up to participate in MIXER 4, you will be asked to give hours of phone availability. During these hours, you may be called by the automated MIXER phone operator, which will ask you for your PIN, offer you a topic of conversation, and connect you with another participant.

Alternatively, you may call into the MIXER phone system (1-866-381-2878) during scheduled operating hours. The system will ask for your PIN and then attempt to connect you with another participant. You will again be offered a topic of conversation.

The resulting recordings will be used only for vocal analysis, not for content.

To participate in this study:

  • First register through the login page.
  • After completing registration, please fax or mail us your W9 or 8233 form. (Fax number and address are included on linked page.)
  • Once we have received your W9, you will be eligible to participate. Call
    • 510-666-2970 (Berkeley only) or
    • 1-800-380-7366 (Penn and all other participants)
    to have your account activated and/or to schedule your first in-studio call session.
    •

To participate in MIXER 4, you must be a native speaker of American English.

For complete information about payment rates, please visit the payment information page.



Please remember that all Mixer calls are recorded for research and educational purposes. All participant identification information is kept strictly confidential, and only select demographic information (age, gender, region raised, languages spoken, etc.) will be utilized for research. Participant names, addresses, and contact information are only required for compensation.