1. An implantable neural stimulator system comprising: a first transducer that transduces an acoustical input signal into a broadband electrical input signal; means for performing a linear first mapping function on the broadband electrical input signal wherein the broadband electrical input signal is mapped into a first mapped signal; and means for bandpass filtering the linear first mapped signal into separate frequency bands, each frequency band having a respective bandpass output signal; means for performing a non-linear second mapping function on the bandpass output signals wherein the bandpass output signals are mapped into second mapped signals; wherein the means for performing a linear first mapping function comprises: means for performing envelope detection on the broadband electrical input signal to produce an envelope detection output signal; a ballistics processor for performing ballistics processing on the envelope detection output signal to produce a ballistics processing output signal; means for performing gain processing on the ballistics processing output signal to produce a gain processing output signal; and means for multiplying the gain processing output signal by the broadband electrical input signal to produce the first mapped signal.