Revision as of 11:10, 16 October 2011

what is sound

description

sound glossary

Absorption The tendency of sound waves to be soaked up by soft surfaces.

Amplitude The strength of sound waves or an electrical signal;determines loudness.

Amplifier Increases the amplitude of a signal.

Attenuate To make weaker.

Conductor element that allows the free transmission of sound.

dB (Decibel) A relative unit of measure between two sound or audio signal levels. A difference 1 dB is considered to be the smallest that can be detected by the human ear.

Dispersion The area throughout which the sound produced is distributed.

Distortion The alteration of the original shape (or other characteristic) of a sound waveform.

Dynamic Range The difference between the softest and loudest extremes within an audio signal.

Efficiency The ratio of a device's energy output to its energy intake.

Filter A device that removes unwanted frequencies or noise from a signal.

Frequency The number of sound waves that pass a given point in one second. The determiner of pitch.

Inductance A circuit's opposition to a change in current flow.

Omnidirectional Capable of picking-up sound or radiating sound equally from all directions

Phase The relationship of an audio signal or sound wave to a specific time reference.

Pitch The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a tone.

Sound Level Meter A device that measures, in dB, the amplitude of sound waves.

Sound Reinforcement The use of electronic devices to reinforce, alter or increase the level of sound.

Tone Sound that can recognized by its regularity of vibration.

Unidirectional Picking up sound primarily from one direction.

Vibration The analogous motion of particles of mass the analogous motion of the particles of a mass of air, whose state of equilibrium has been disturbed, causing the transmission of sound.

human perception and reaction to sound