Method and apparatus for processing an initial audio signal

Method (100) for processing an initial audio signal (AS) comprising a target portion (AS_TP) and a side portion (AS_SP), comprising the following steps: receiving of the initial audio signal (AS); modifying the received initial audio signal (AS) by use of a first signal modifier to obtain a first modified (110a) audio signal and modifying the received initial audio signal (AS) by use of a second signal modifier to obtain a second modified audio signal (second MOD AS); comparing received initial audio signal (AS) with the first modified audio signal (first MOD AS) to obtain a first perceptual similarity value (first PSV) describing the perceptual similarity between the initial audio signal (AS) and the first modified audio signal (first MOD AS); and comparing the received initial audio signal (AS) with the second modified audio signal (second MOD AS) to obtain a second perceptual similarity value (second PSV) describing the perceptual similarity between the initial audio signal (AS) and the second modified audio signal (second MOD AS); and selecting (130) the first or second modified audio signal (first MOD AS, second MOD AS) dependent on the respective first or second perceptual similarity value (second PSV).