Sound Theory

Question 1

Sound

Answer 1

A vibration or mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a medium, composed of frequencies within the human hearing range.

Question 2

Sympathetic Vibration

Answer 2

The vibration of the medium when a sound wave hits it.

Question 3

Compression

Answer 3

Regions with high air pressure in a sound wave.

Question 4

Rarefactions

Answer 4

Regions of low air pressure in a sound wave.

Question 5

What are sound waves often referred to as?

Answer 5

Pressure waves

Question 6

Amplitude

Answer 6

Loudness; Strength of signal

Question 7

What is the simplest form of sound?

Answer 7

Sine wave

Question 8

What sound wave is always made up of a single frequency?

Answer 8

Sine Wave

Question 9

Frequency

Answer 9

The rate at which any kind of motion repeats itself/the number of oscillations completed in a second.

Question 10

What is a cycle?

Answer 10

A completed oscillation

Question 11

How many kHz is in 1000Hz?

Answer 11

1

Question 12

How many Hz is in 2kHz

Answer 12

2000

Question 13

What is frequency measure in?

Answer 13

Cycles/second

Question 14

What is Time measured in?

Answer 14

Seconds/cycle

Question 15

What is the first way to fix a mix?

Answer 15

Adjusting the EQ

Question 16

Frequency Response

Answer 16

A component’s ability to produce audio output within a particular frequency range.

Question 17

Frequency Response Curve

Answer 17

A graphed measurement of a component’s output according to frequency, in comparison to the input signal.

Question 18

What represents the amplitude of a signal in a waveform?

Answer 18

The distance above or below the centerline of a waveform

Question 19

Peak Level

Answer 19

The measurement of either the maximum positive or negative signal level of a wave

Question 20

RMS (root-mean-squared)

Answer 20

Determines a meaningful average level of a waveform over time.

Question 21

How can Amplitude be expressed?

Answer 21

Linearly(volts); or Logarithmically(dB)

Question 22

Phase

Answer 22

The way multiple sound waves interact in an acoustical or electrical space.

Question 23

Constructive Interference

Answer 23

When two identical waves are added together

Question 24

What is the result of constructive Interference?

Answer 24

Waves having the same frequency and phase but twice the amplitude.

Question 25

Destructive Interference

Answer 25

When two identical out-of-phase waves are added to each other.

Question 26

What is the result of Destructive Interference?

Answer 26

Waves cancelling each other out

Question 27

Fundamental

Answer 27

The lowest frequency in a sound

Question 28

What is another name for the fundamental?

Answer 28

First Harmonic

Question 29

What does the fundamental provide?

Answer 29

The sound with the strongest audible pitch reference

Question 30

Overtone

Answer 30

Any harmonic above the fundamental

Question 31

What is the first overtone called?

Answer 31

Second Harmonic

Question 32

Partial

Answer 32

Sounds w/no mathematical relation to the fundamental

Question 33

Where are most partials found?

Answer 33

In percussive instruments (i.e. bells)

Question 34

What are Sine Waves also called?

Answer 34

Pure Tones

Question 35

Sawtooth Wave

Answer 35

A complex waveform that has multiple odd and even harmonics

Question 36

Square Wave

Answer 36

A complex waveform consisting of odd harmonics

Question 37

Decibel

Answer 37

Measurement of amplitude

Question 38

dBV (electrical)

Answer 38

Measured in electrical voltage that represents a sound wave

Question 39

dD SPL (acoustic)

Answer 39

How loud a sound actually is in an environment

Question 40

What is the average hearing range of a human by the age of 30?

Answer 40

20Hz-16000Hz

Question 41

When in Hz is hearing most sensitive between?

Answer 41

1-4kHz

Question 42

Where does (in dB) acoustic trauma occur?

Answer 42

140dB

Question 43

Fletcher Munson Curve/Equal Loudness Curve

Answer 43

a plot of how loud the various frequencies w/in the audible hearing range needs to be for our brain to perceive them as equal loudness.

Question 44

What are two important things we can infer from the Equal Loudness Curve?

Answer 44

1) Our hearing is not equal across all frequencies w/in the audible range. We hear some frequencies better than others 2) Our hearing does become even at higher over Sound Pressure Levels

Question 45

What is loudness measure in?

Answer 45

Phons

Question 46

Dynamic Envelope

Answer 46

Describes the initial action, development and diminishing of a waveform over time. (ASDR)

Question 47

ASDR

Answer 47

Attack; Decay; Sustain; Release

Question 48

Attack

Answer 48

The way sound is initiated

Question 49

What is the attack peak called?

Answer 49

Transient

Question 50

Decay

Answer 50

The reaction of the amplitude after the attack

Question 51

Sustain

Answer 51

The period that the sound is generating from the source

Question 52

Release

Answer 52

Once the source stops generating the sound the envelop enters the this phase

Question 53

(Obj.-Subj.) | Frequency {Hz}

Answer 53

Pitch

Question 54

(Obj.-Subj.) | Amplitude

Answer 54

Loudness

Question 55

(Obj.-Subj.) | Harmonic Content {Spectral Content}

Answer 55

Timbre

Question 56

(Obj.-Subj.) | Dynamic Envelope {ASDR}

Answer 56

Timbre

Question 57

White Noise

Answer 57

When each frequency carries the same amount of noise energy

Question 58

Pink Noise

Answer 58

When each octave carries the same amount of noise energy

Question 59

What is pink noise also called?

Answer 59

Fractional Noise