Sound Waves
Sound waves are a type of mechanical wave that travels through a medium, such as air, and are characterized by their frequency and amplitude. Sound waves are created when an object, such as a guitar string or a speaker cone, vibrates and creates pressure variations in the air. These pressure variations then travel through the air as a sound wave. Sound waves can be categorized into two types: longitudinal and transverse. Longitudinal waves, such as sound waves, are characterized by the oscillation of the medium in the same direction as the wave's propagation. Transverse waves, such as water waves, are characterized by the oscillation of the medium perpendicular to the wave's propagation.
Frequency
Frequency is a measure of how often a wave oscillates, or how often a sound wave completes one cycle. It is measured in hertz (Hz), which is the number of oscillations per second. The human ear can typically hear sound waves with frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). Frequencies below 20 Hz are considered infrasonic and frequencies above 20 kHz are considered ultrasonic. Lower frequency sounds have longer wavelengths and are perceived as lower pitches, while higher frequency sounds have shorter wavelengths and are perceived as higher pitches.
Amplitude
Amplitude is a measure of the magnitude of the oscillation of a wave, or how big the sound wave is. In sound waves, amplitude is related to the pressure variations in the air and is measured in decibels (dB). The amplitude of a sound wave is related to its loudness, with higher amplitude waves being perceived as louder. It is important to note that the relationship between amplitude and loudness is not linear, meaning that a small increase in amplitude does not always result in a small increase in loudness.
Summary
Sound Waves, frequency and amplitude are the basic fundamental concepts of audio engineering. A good understanding of these concepts is crucial in order to effectively capture, manipulate, and reproduce sound. With the knowledge of how these concepts interact and work together, an audio engineer can make informed decisions about microphone placement, equalization, compression and other techniques used to shape and enhance sound.