äänispektri

Äänispektri, also known as the sound spectrum, is a representation of the distribution of sound energy across different frequencies. When a sound wave travels, it's not usually a single, pure tone but rather a complex combination of various frequencies at different intensities. The sound spectrum breaks down this complex sound into its individual frequency components, showing how much energy is present at each specific frequency.

This breakdown is typically visualized as a graph. The horizontal axis represents frequency, usually measured in Hertz (Hz), which indicates the number of cycles per second. The vertical axis represents amplitude or intensity, often measured in decibels (dB), indicating the loudness or energy of the sound at that particular frequency.

By analyzing the sound spectrum, one can identify the fundamental frequency of a sound, which is its primary pitch, as well as its harmonics and overtones. Harmonics are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency, while overtones are other frequencies present in the sound. The unique combination and relative intensities of these components give a sound its characteristic timbre or quality, allowing us to distinguish between different instruments or voices, even when they are playing the same note at the same loudness.

Sound spectra are fundamental in various fields, including acoustics, audio engineering, music production, and speech analysis. They are used for tasks such as noise reduction, audio equalization, sound identification, and understanding the physical properties of sound sources.