Week 1

Question 1

A sound wave that repeats

periodically.

Answer 1

Pitched Sound

Question 2

The rate of repetition of a
periodic wave. Measured in Hertz. Human range
of hearing is approximately 20Hz-20Khz.

Answer 2

Frequency

Question 3

Measurement of frequency,

represents cycles per second.

Answer 3

Hertz (Hz)

Question 4

Thousands of Hertz.

Answer 4

Kilohertz (Khz)

Question 5

Doubling of frequency. The ear

interprets this as a similar sound, but higher.

Answer 5

Octave

Question 6

Musical measurement of pitch. The
smallest written musical interval. Can be found
by playing two adjacent keyboard notes.

Answer 6

Half-Step

Question 7

1/100 of a half-step. Finest measurement

of pitch. Seen on electronic tuners.

Answer 7

Cent

Question 8

Non-pitched sound. Can be conceived
as random sound waves or combinations of
many pitches.

Answer 8

Noise

Question 9

A single pulse of sound, too short
to have a pitch. Most percussion instruments
create transients.

Answer 9

Transient

Question 10

The strength of a sound.

Translates to volume. Measured in Decibels.

Answer 10

Amplitude

Question 11

Measurement of amplitude. One
decibel is considered the smallest change
perceptable.

Answer 11

Decibel(db)

Question 12

Reduction of a sound in
amplitude. Measured in negative decibels.
Example: -3db is a 3 decibel reduction.

Answer 12

Attenuation

Question 13

Increase in a sound. Also measured in

decibels.

Answer 13

Boost

Question 14

The amplitude difference between
input and output of a device. Measured in
decibels. Can be negative or positive.

Answer 14

Gain

Question 15

A term meaning output
amplitude is equal to input. In other words, no
change.

Answer 15

Unity Gain

Question 16

Term meaning tone color.
Controlled by the waveshape. Each instrument
creates a different timbre.
Example Timbre Terms:
Bright, Dark, Metallic, Warm, Tinny, Deep etc.

Answer 16

Timbre