tieffrequente

Tieffrequente is a Dutch term meaning “low-frequency.” In a broad sense it refers to the part of the spectrum at the lower end of frequencies, and its exact range can vary by discipline. In everyday acoustics, tieffrequent sounds are associated with bass and sub-bass content, while infrasonic frequencies lie below the audible range, typically under 20 Hz.

In acoustics and audio engineering, tieffrequent ranges are commonly described as roughly from about 20 Hz up to a few hundred hertz. The sub-bass region generally covers roughly 20 to 60 Hz, with bass extending toward 100–250 Hz in many contexts. Frequencies below 20 Hz are considered infrasonic and not normally heard, though they can be felt as vibrations. In other fields, such as electronics and signal processing, tieffrequent components can refer to signals near DC up to a few hundred hertz, depending on the system’s bandwidth and filtering.

Characteristics of tieffrequent signals include longer wavelengths and different propagation or transmission behavior compared to higher frequencies. They are more prone to room and environmental effects (such as room modes in recording spaces) and require larger transducers and more power for generation and detection. Measuring low-frequency content demands specialized equipment and calibration to avoid misinterpretation due to environmental influences.

Applications of tieffrequent content span music production (for depth and warmth), seismic monitoring (to detect large-scale events), structural analysis (vibration and safety assessments), and communications systems where low-bandwidth control signals or robustness to attenuation are important. See also low-frequency, infrasonic, bass, and sub-bass.