![]() As a sound source vibrates it disturbs the particles of the medium resulting in regions of compression (higher pressure) and rarefaction (lower pressure). Sound is most commonly viewed as a change in pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. Most sound sources we encounter (music, speech, and everyday noise) comprise many frequencies with different amplitudes. The figure shows one sine wave, characteristic of only one frequency, which is not that common an occurrence. Amplitude regions above the zero axis are positive (compression) regions below are negative (rarefaction). In Figure 1, the X-axis represents time or distance and the Y-axis can represent pressure, level, energy, or transmission medium density. Figure 1: Sound is most commonly viewed as a change in pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. In reality, the sine wave representation is an oversimplification of most sound sources, but does provide a good starting point to visualize some of the salient physical characteristics. The simplest way to depict sound uses the sine wave shown in the Figure 1. This is commonly called the source-path-receiver model for sound propagation. Sound originates from a source (vibrating body), propagates through a medium (solid, liquid or gas), and is picked up by a receiver (listener or microphone). The transmission medium has an affect on the propagation of sound, particularly its characteristic velocity. Sound can travel quite readily through solids, liquids, and gasses. Sound can be described and quantified in a variety of ways based on wave motion, pressure, particle velocity, transmission medium density, wavelength, and frequency. But as some have said, one person’s sound is another’s noise. Briefly, sound is the passage of pressure changes through an elastic medium via wave propagation caused by vibrational forces acting on that medium.Īcoustics is the study of sound transmission through fluid and solid media. Sound is related to the sensation of hearing and the generation of vibrations that results in a physical disturbance evoking the sensation of hearing. In the meantime, let’s start with a look at some of the bedrock concepts that can put you on the path to higher understanding. Intensive educational seminars, such as those provided by SynAudCon, can be invaluable if you have a few days each year to devote to this worthwhile pursuit. Do some web surfing-you’re certain to come upon valuable and useful educational resources.įurther, on-line training courses are abundant, and some are quite good at covering the basics. There are many excellent seminars sponsored by industry, manufacturer, trade, and commercial organizations that can further your knowledge.Īnd did I mention books? There are numerous excellent texts available that cover almost every topic imaginable in acoustics, sound and systems. If university level training in audio or acoustics is not your calling, don’t despair. New equipment, toys and theories come and go, but the basic building blocks of sound and its related concepts do not. ![]() The fundamentals of acoustics (and physics) do not change, although some “experts” try to prove otherwise. Why should one bother trying to understand basic acoustics? The most simple (and correct) answer is that study of basic concepts enables one to sort through the truth, semi-truth, myths and flat-out errors that pervade the pro audio industry.
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