| 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 |
Anaudio frequency oraudible frequency (AF) is aperiodicvibration whosefrequency isaudible to the average human. TheSI unit of frequency is thehertz (Hz). It is the property ofsound that most determinespitch.[1]
The generally accepted standardhearing range for humans is 20 to 20,000 Hz.[2][3][4] In air at atmospheric pressure, these represent sound waves withwavelengths of 17 metres (56 ft) to 1.7 centimetres (0.67 in). Frequencies below 20 Hz are generally felt rather than heard, assuming theamplitude of the vibration is great enough. Sound frequencies above 20 kHz are calledultrasonic.
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", itstimbre. When speaking about the frequency (in singular) of a sound, it means the property that most determines itspitch.[6] Higher pitches have higher frequency, and lower pitches are lower frequency.
The frequencies an ear can hear are limited to aspecific range of frequencies. Theaudible 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. Otherspecies have different hearing ranges. For example, some dog breeds can perceive vibrations up to 60,000 Hz.[7]
In many media, such as air, thespeed of sound is approximately independent of frequency, so the wavelength of the sound waves (distance between repetitions) is approximately inversely proportional to frequency.
| Frequency (Hz) | Octave | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 16 to 32 | 1st | The lower human threshold of hearing, and the lowest pedal notes of a pipe organ. |
| 32 to 512 | 2nd to 5th | Rhythm frequencies, where the lower and upper bass notes lie. |
| 512 to 2,048 | 6th to 7th | Defines humanspeech intelligibility, gives a horn-like or tinny quality to sound. |
| 2,048 to 8,192 | 8th to 9th | Gives presence to speech, wherelabial andfricative sounds lie. |
| 8,192 to 16,384 | 10th | Brilliance, the sounds of bells and the ringing of cymbals andsibilance in speech. |
| 16,384 to 32,768 | 11th | Beyond brilliance, nebulous sounds approaching and just passing the upper human threshold of hearing |
| MIDI note | Frequency (Hz) | Description | Sound file |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 8.17578125 | Lowestorgan note | n/a (fundamental frequency inaudible) |
| 12 | 16.3515625 | Lowest note for tuba, large pipe organs,Bösendorfer Imperial grand piano | n/a (fundamental frequency inaudible under average conditions) |
| 24 | 32.703125 | Lowest C on a standard 88-keypiano | |
| 36 | 65.40625 | Lowest note forcello | |
| 48 | 130.8125 | Lowest note forviola,mandola | |
| 60 | 261.625 | Middle C | |
| 72 | 523.25 | C in middle oftreble clef | |
| 84 | 1,046.5 | Approximately the highest note reproducible by the average femalehuman voice | |
| 96 | 2,093 | Highest note for aflute | |
| 108 | 4,186 | Highest note on a standard 88-key piano | |
| 120 | 8,372 | ||
| 132 | 16,744 | Approximately the tone that a typicalCRT television emits while running. |
For auditory signals and human listeners, the accepted range is 20Hz to 20kHz, the limits of human hearing
Authority control databases: National |
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