Audio frequency

Last updated
Sound measurements
Characteristic
Symbols
  Sound pressure  p, SPL, LPA
  Particle velocity  v, SVL
  Particle displacement  δ
  Sound intensity  I, SIL
  Sound power  P, SWL, LWA
  Sound energy  W
  Sound energy density  w
  Sound exposure  E, SEL
  Acoustic impedance  Z
  Audio frequency  AF
  Transmission loss  TL

An audio frequency or audible frequency (AF) is a periodic vibration whose frequency is audible to the average human. The SI unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz). It is the property of sound that most determines pitch. [1]

Contents

The generally accepted standard hearing range for humans is 20 to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). [2] [3] [4] In air at atmospheric pressure, these represent sound waves with wavelengths of 17 metres (56 ft) to 1.7 centimetres (0.67 in). Frequencies below 20 Hz are generally felt rather than heard, assuming the amplitude of the vibration is great enough. Sound waves that have frequencies below 20 Hz are called infrasonic and those above 20 kHz are called ultrasonic.

Sound propagates as mechanical vibration waves of pressure and displacement, in air or other substances. [5] In general, frequency components of a sound determine its "color", its timbre. When speaking about the frequency (in singular) of a sound, it means the property that most determines its pitch. [6] Higher pitches have higher frequency, and lower pitches have lower frequency.

The frequencies an ear can hear are limited to a specific range of frequencies. The audible frequency range for humans is typically given as being between about 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (20 kHz), though the high frequency limit usually reduces with age. Other species have different hearing ranges. For example, some dog breeds can perceive vibrations up to 60,000 Hz (60 kHz). [7]

In many media, such as air, the speed of sound is approximately independent of frequency, so the wavelength of the sound waves (distance between repetitions) is approximately inversely proportional to frequency.

Frequencies and descriptions

Frequency (Hz) Octave Description
16 to 321stThe lower human threshold of hearing, and the lowest pedal notes of a pipe organ.
32 to 5122nd to 5thRhythm frequencies, where the lower and upper bass notes lie.
512 to 2,0486th to 7thDefines human speech intelligibility, gives a horn-like or tinny quality to sound.
2,048 to 8,1928th to 9thGives presence to speech, where labial and fricative sounds lie.
8,192 to 16,38410thBrilliance, the sounds of bells and the ringing of cymbals and sibilance in speech.
16,384 to 32,76811thBeyond brilliance, nebulous sounds approaching and just passing the upper human threshold of hearing
Oscillogram of a pure tone middle C (262 Hz). (Scale: 1 square is equal to 1 millisecond) Middle C, or 262 hertz, on a virtual oscilloscope.png
Oscillogram of a pure tone middle C (262 Hz). (Scale: 1 square is equal to 1 millisecond)
C5, an octave above middle C. The frequency is twice that of middle C (523 Hz). C5 523 Hz oscillogram.png
C5, an octave above middle C. The frequency is twice that of middle C (523 Hz).
C3, an octave below middle C. The frequency is half that of middle C (131 Hz). C3 131 Hz oscillogram.png
C3, an octave below middle C. The frequency is half that of middle C (131 Hz).
MIDI noteFrequency (Hz)DescriptionSound file
08.17578125Lowest organ noten/a (fundamental frequency inaudible)
1216.3515625Lowest note for tuba, large pipe organs, Bösendorfer Imperial grand pianon/a (fundamental frequency inaudible under average conditions)
2432.703125Lowest C on a standard 88-key piano
3665.40625Lowest note for cello
48130.8125Lowest note for viola, mandola
60261.625 Middle C
72523.25C in middle of treble clef
841,046.5Approximately the highest note reproducible by the average female human voice
962,093Highest note for a flute
1084,186Highest note on a standard 88-key piano
1208,372
13216,744Approximately the tone that a typical CRT television emits while running.

See also

References

  1. Pilhofer, Michael (2007). Music Theory for Dummies. For Dummies. p. 97. ISBN   9780470167946.
  2. "Hyperphysics" . Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  3. Heffner, Henry; Heffner, Rickye (January 2007). "Hearing Ranges of Laboratory Animals". Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. 46 (1): 20–2. PMID   17203911 . Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  4. Rosen, Stuart (2011). Signals and Systems for Speech and Hearing (2nd ed.). BRILL. p. 163. For auditory signals and human listeners, the accepted range is 20Hz to 20kHz, the limits of human hearing
  5. "Definition of SOUND" . Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  6. Pilhofer, Michael (2007). Music Theory for Dummies. For Dummies. p. 97. ISBN   978-0-470-16794-6.
  7. Condon, Tim (2003). Elert, Glenn (ed.). "Frequency range of dog hearing". The Physics Factbook. Retrieved 2008-10-22.