CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

Lobby => Soapbox => Topic started by: Marvey on November 26, 2011, 08:53:32 AM

Title: Frequency Range and Terminology
Post by: Marvey on November 26, 2011, 08:53:32 AM
Certain terminology is used to describe frequency range and sound. The following standards are what will be used on this forum:

http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm (http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm)
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/dhinterviews/HoffLesson1.htm (http://www.stevehoffman.tv/dhinterviews/HoffLesson1.htm)

There may be some personal variances among us, but for the most part, any individual differences should be bridgeable. What is not compatible with our terminology are the odd definitions found in Stereophile's Sound Audio Glossary. For example, Stereophile defines the upper midrange as the range of frequencies from 650-1300Hz. This makes absolutely no sense and we have no idea why they would do this other than to seed further confusion.

Some people have pointed out that the Stereophile definition is preferable because the highest frequency a female voice can reproduce is a little bit over 1kHz. But this is only taking into account the fundamental frequencies. The harmonics of the female voice extend well past 8kHz, and its the harmonics that make a female voice sound different from a violin (which by the way produces harmonics up to 16kHz.)

Whatever rationale used is irrelevant because the purpose is to facilitate transmission of knowledge rather than create misunderstanding. This is why we have chosen a system that audio professionals (and most sane audiophiles) have been using for about 70 years.
Title: Re: Frequency Range and Terminology
Post by: rhythmdevils on November 28, 2011, 08:59:34 PM
I love the chart with all the instruments and even sounds placing them to certain frequency ranges.  I thought cymbals were higher up as I thought they get pronounced along with sibilance. 
Title: Re: Frequency Range and Terminology
Post by: Marvey on November 28, 2011, 10:24:58 PM
That's interesting, just too noted the fundamental notes of cymbals are between 300 and 900Hz. Guess that only goes to say how important harmonics are.
Title: Re: Frequency Range and Terminology
Post by: RexAeterna on December 27, 2011, 08:38:45 AM
awesome links and info! i remember seeing that frequency chart many times before though couple years ago when i was trying to learn things on my own cause i messed around in fl studio. i still do sometimes but i get too many brainfarts and while i have pretty good creative thoughts it's always so hard for my to layer it out and never turns the way i want it. it always works out better for me when i have a what i call a ''flow'' cause i work better when everything in my head and in front of me is flowing in a perfect pattern.

anyhoo....i lol'ed when i read the air frequency. can you really kill insects at that frequency? i think i need to start turning my speakers into a giant fly swatter then  :P