1. Frequency (Pitch):
* High frequency: Sounds with high frequency are perceived as high-pitched (e.g., a whistle).
* Low frequency: Sounds with low frequency are perceived as low-pitched (e.g., a bass drum).
2. Amplitude (Loudness):
* High amplitude: Sounds with high amplitude are perceived as loud (e.g., a thunderclap).
* Low amplitude: Sounds with low amplitude are perceived as quiet (e.g., a whisper).
3. Timbre (Tone Color):
* Timbre refers to the unique quality of a sound that allows us to distinguish between different instruments or voices even when they are playing the same note at the same loudness. This is determined by the combination of different frequencies present in the sound wave, known as harmonics.
4. Duration:
* Short duration: Sounds that last for a short period are called transients (e.g., a clap).
* Long duration: Sounds that last for a longer period are called sustained sounds (e.g., a sustained note on a piano).
5. Envelope:
* The envelope of a sound describes how its amplitude changes over time. It consists of four stages:
* Attack: The initial buildup of the sound.
* Decay: The gradual decrease in amplitude after the attack.
* Sustain: The constant level of amplitude after the decay.
* Release: The final decrease in amplitude as the sound fades away.
6. Location:
* Spatialization: The location of a sound source affects how we perceive it. Sounds coming from different directions or distances are processed differently by our brains.
7. Sound Environment:
* Reverb and reflection: The environment in which a sound is produced can significantly affect its character.
* Reverb: The reflections of sound waves off surrounding surfaces create a sense of space.
* Reflection: Direct reflections from hard surfaces can create distinct echoes.
These factors, individually and in combination, contribute to the unique characteristics of different sounds. We perceive these differences through our auditory system, which is incredibly sensitive and capable of distinguishing between a wide range of sounds.