Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Section One:
Introduction:
In this article I will be exploring the physics of sound and how they work.
I will include: sound waves, pitching forks, frequencies, the Doppler
Effect, response and Fletcher Munson curves, envelopes, amplitude,
phase, harmonics, EQ and decibels.
Sound Waves:
Sound is an energy that travels through a medium. For example, it ripples
in the air it is the same as the waves that are created when it is
disturbed. The physics of sound allows different amounts of air to create
other versions of the moment, for example,
These images show us that water can produce sound in many different
ways and that sound can be made by any object. The sound made is
determined on the type of object used to make the water ripple, for
example, a bricks ripple is very different to a stones ripple. This also
depends on the air in the source. The source is where the ripple starts to
happen. As you can see each ripple has its own source. Some ripples go up
and some just split in into different sections.
Linking this to music the direction of the sounds being played is coming
from a source, for example, if the sound is coming from a drum the
drummer is the source. But the sound can come from anywhere.
On the other hand, sound is omnidirectional. The energy is equal and
travels in all directions.
A vocal waveforms look like this (they look like this in Logic):
Pitching Forks:
Pitching forks (referred to as tuning forks) make low and high pressure
as they vibrate. These are the compressions and rarefactions. The air
molecules produce different frequencies. They have a constant pitch. To
do this it vibrates when it is hit against an object or surface. They emit
musical tones. But, you have wait until the high overtones to disappear.
Frequencies:
Frequencies consist of 1 compression and 1 rarefaction. The cycles in a
second is known as a frequency. This as measured in Hertz (Hz).
Frequencies have their own wavelength. Also reverberation has something
to do with this because it is caused by the undeviating signal that
reflects off an object. The high frequencies absorb quicker than low
frequencies.
Fletcher Munson Curves are the sets of the equal loudness that is form
of the human ear, using headphones.
The tones are at numerous frequencies and intensities! (The reference
tone is 1000Hz) and was modified. It was the same volume as the test
tone.
This diagram is important
because it shows you what the
Fletcher Munson Curves are
and how they work. To listen
to music most people would
wear headphones.
Microphone Frequencies:
Dynamic microphones have a low frequency response and less fragile to
low level sound. Meanwhile the condenser microphone is fragile to high
frequencies and to low level frequencies. (We record things to put on
Logic using a dynamic microphone).
Envelopes:
You can also use envelopes to create sound. You can change the ADSR.
This stands for attack, decay, sustain and release. (Synthesizers normally
use ADSR). Envelopes are used in Logic like this:
Also envelopes represent the different types of amplitude or even the spectral
content of the sound over a certain amount of time.
Envelopes consider how the sounds starts, continues and ends.
On the diagram you can see that the grey audio regions have no ADSR on them.
Envelopes can be used for different reasons, such as:
Adjusting the ADSR so it fits in with the other sounds used.
This then links all of the sounds together, as the envelopes send signals out to each
other.
Why are envelopes important to the theories of music?
Envelopes can be used on a wide range of different sounds and can make a better
sound quality. (It is a good thing to use).
To correct the envelopes, consider ADSR:
You can change the ADSR in any way you like, for example, zero attack, full decay,
full sustain, little release or full attack, little decay, little sustain, zero release and
many others.
Phases:
Adjusting something so it can synchronize with something else. Phases
are used in Logic like this:
Also sounds can cancel each other out, for example, when sound one and two is played
together they could interfere with each other. This causes no sound. (This depends on the
frequency or tone of the sounds played).
On the diagram you can see that the three sounds are similar. However, they are of
different frequencies thats why the sounds sometimes cancel each other out.
Phasing can be used for different reasons, such as:
Canceling sounds out so you can work on different sounds without listening to the other
sounds.
You can cancel a sound and then un cancel it when you would like to use it in your work.
Why are phases important to the theories of music?
Phases can be used on a wide range of different frequencies and can help improve the
sound of your music. (The quality will be judged on by the properties and elements of a
sound).
To correct the phases, consider this:
+1 is in mono or phase and -1 is out of mono or phase. -1 this because one the channels is
played backwards rather than forwards. (The Beatles used backward instrumentation when
they recorded their album Revolver in 1966; they made this very popular).
EQ:
EQ mean equalisation. We use the equaliser to find the EQ. An equaliser
is a technology, track or software that allows you to control the relative
amplitude of the many different frequencies that are in the bandwidth.
This bandwidth is audible.
With the EQ we edit the sound that we recorded to bring it back to its
original tone. We can also change the frequency of the midi or audio
regions. This make it sound better and fuses together the music or sound
effects. Plus, this makes it more imaginative.
There are two key types of EQ and they are:
Shelving EQ is known for the wide frequency response which increases
and decreases. The frequency weakens to a specific level stay like that
until the spectrum ends.