Basic information on acoustics
What is acoustics/sound/music/speech/noise?
Acoustics
Acoustics is the science of the generation, propagation, transmission, reproduction, reception, measurement and effects of sound and of the phenomenon of hearing.
Sound is the psychological effect caused by an acoustical signal (physical phenomenon). The psychoacoustical perception of an acoustical signal i.e. sound may be; Music, Speech, Noise.
Music is composed of harmonic (periodical) sounds; it changes in time, in level, in pitch but there is a harmony among the way these changes happen. One –having musical ear- can determine the pitch (frequency) of a harmonic sound.
Speech is composed of harmonic (periodical) and aperiodic sound. The wovels are harmonic sounds and consonants are aperiodic sounds. Wovels and consonants pursue (follow) one another within short periods of time.
Noise –physically- is composed of aperiodic sounds.
More information about basic acoustical concepts and terminology can be found at FAQ
