klangfärg

Klangfärg, often translated as timbre, is the perceptual attribute that distinguishes sounds that have the same pitch and loudness. It is the quality of a sound that allows us to tell apart a violin from a flute playing the same note. In German-speaking contexts the term Klangfarbe is common; in English the term timbre is used in musicology and acoustics.

Klangfärg arises from the sound's spectral content and its temporal evolution. The fundamental frequency determines pitch, while the relative amplitudes and distribution of overtones, any inharmonicities, and formants shape the color of the tone. The envelope—how the sound starts (attack), continues (sustain), and ends (release)—as well as spectral dynamics such as vibrato, further modify timbre. The instrument's material, construction, and playing technique determine its typical spectrum, so even identical written notes on different instruments sound distinct.

Analysis and synthesis treat Klangfärg with perceptual models and spectral features. Measurements like spectral centroid (brightness), roughness, and spectral flux, together with temporal features, quantify timbre for audio processing. In composition and orchestration, Klangfärg is used to create contrast, define character, and convey spatial or expressive meaning.

Historically, the study of timbre has been central to acoustics and music theory, with contributions from researchers such as Helmholtz. The concept informs instrument design, pedagogy, and modern synthesis, and remains a core consideration in performance and analysis.