Sound II Reading
1. Preception of Sound
Our perception of sound is the result of the physical dimensions being transformed by the ear and interpreted by the mind. The perceived parameters of sound are our perception of the physical dimensions of sound.
This translation process is nonlinear, and differs between individuals. The human ear is not equally sensitive in all frequency ranges, nor is it equally sensitive to sound at all amplitude levels. Complicating matters, no two people actually hear the characteristics of sound in precisely the same way. We need only to notice the different ear shapes around us to recognize that no two people will pick up acoustic energy in precisely the same way.
Physical | Perceived |
Frequency | Pitch |
Amplitude | Loudness |
Time | Duration |
Timbre (physical component) | Timbre (perceived overall quality) |
Space (physical components) | Space (perceived characteristics) |