BY: KATIE MORGAN.

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.

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

A sound wave is a pictured representation of a sound bubble.

This diagram is important because it tells you all

about a sound wave in one picture.

There are many different types of sound wave. Some

are complex and some are not.
A snare drum is complex:

A vocal waveforms look like this (they look like this in Logic):

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

Sound waves go through the air. The air contains gases and they are:
nitrogen and oxygen. This is made of carbon dioxide and atoms. These are
molecules. When this is disturbed these particles cause a chain reaction.
The molecules and atoms go passed each other with force. They do this
through the oscillations and vibrations. Compression and rarefaction is in
the air molecules.
Here is a diagram to show a vibrating string:

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.

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

The frequency spectrum has a wide range of pitch is from 20Hz
20,000Hz. 20,000Hz is also known as 20KHz. Here is the radio spectrum:
This diagram is important
because it shows what
high and low frequencies
look like so you can
compare them, as they are
very different. (Music is
about different
frequencies and tones and
this diagram is very
reliable to show this
contrast).
On a keyboard the musical notes have its own frequency, for example, D
is 294Hz and B is 494hZ. These notes have different frequencies so they
dont sound the same. If they sounded the same there would be no point
in having musical notes. Likewise, different instruments have different
frequencies, for example,
This diagram is important
because it shows the
frequencies of most
instruments. So if someone
plays an instrument and
they dont know what the
frequency of their
instrument is they can look
it up on here.

The Doppler Effect:

This is when the frequency of a wave changes for an object moving to its
source, for example, (Austrian physicist Christian Doppler, made this theory in
1842). This diagram is
important because it shows
you a clear example of the
Doppler Effect. This links to
music because this effect is
about the sound around us.

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

Response and Fletcher Munson Curves:
Response Curves is the response of a fragile apparatus to differing
starting point. Also microphones sounds diff in intensity.
This diagram is important
because it shows this topic in
a simple form. This diagram
will make your music
knowledge more wide.

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).

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

The speed of sound:
The speed of sound is 6260 m / s.
The speed of sound at sea level is 340.29 m / s.

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.

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

Amplitude:
The maximum oscillation or vibration that is measured at the position of
the force.
This diagram is important because
it shows the different parts of a
wave. In music sound waves are
crated all the time because the
sound travels from source to
source.

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).

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

Harmonics:
This is the component frequency or wave an oscillation. Harmonics are
used in Logic like this:

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.

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

The Bell (Peak) EQ is a EQ that most people use. It has a filter that is
known as a peaking filter. The peak can be encouraged or lightened by
frequencys center.

This EQ can also have a Semi Parametric EQ. However, there is no Q

(The quality factor). So, because of this curve will be doing the same
thing over and over again.

This diagram is important because it shows what different frequencies

look like in Logic. (Logic is a music making software from Apple).

Decibels (dB SPL):

SPL stands of Sound Pressure Level.

This is a unit that is used to

measure sounds intensity or an
electrical signal (The noise loudness)
that compares level on a scale that
is logarithmic.

Thats it for Section 1. I left you on

a high note! The next is Section 2,
which is about the principles of
musical instruments. Ill write about
this in a new word document.

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

Pictures References:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Cinema4D/comments/30zy6p/need_help_for_a_ripple_effec
t_in_water/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFGyMUNinSM
http://www.hdwallpaperscool.com/ripples-desktop-wallpapers/
http://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-2672522-stock-footage-blue-pool-waterripples-and-reflections-hd-video.html
https://sportslawnews.wordpress.com/tag/consent/https://sportslawnews.wordpress.co
m/tag/consent/
http://pixgood.com/underwater-ripples.html
https://www.earthled.com/collections/60-watt-equivalent-led-a19-omni-directionallight-bulbs
http://www.tokenrock.com/cymatics/cymatics_seeing_sound.php
http://www.planetoftunes.com/sound-audio-theory/complexsoundwaves.html#.Vmb_37iLTIU
http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/problems-with-recording-using-alavalier-microphone
http://support.ircam.fr/docs/AudioSculpt/3.0/co/Acoustic%20Notions.html
http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/lili/personen/vgramley/teaching/HTHS/acoustic_2010.html
http://people.ece.cornell.edu/land/courses/ece4760/FinalProjects/f2012/ajw89_bwj8/
ajw89_bwj8/
http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/87751/do-low-frequency-sounds-reallycarry-longer-distances
http://www.spaceacademy.net.au/spacelink/radiospace.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_response_curve
http://www.uaudio.com/blog/how-the-ear-works/
http://www.cs.unc.edu/Research/assist/et/2005/SoundSynthesizer.html
http://www.henrys.com/Audio-Video-Overview.aspx
http://pages.uoregon.edu/stanm/PHYS152SUMMER2011/LECTURES3and4-WAVES.html
My own screen shot
http://www.frankswebspace.org.uk/ScienceAndMaths/physics/physicsGCSE/amplitude
WavelengthFrequency.htm
My own screen shot

BY: KATIE MORGAN.

My own screen shot
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may03/articles/sequencereq.asp
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may03/articles/sequencereq.asp
http://www.themusicespionage.co.uk/mixing/studio-fx-plug-ins/eq/
http://www.bestearplugsforsleeping.net/noise-reduction-rating-mean/