mugen1

Knowing how music and sound works can help out a lot when tuning your system. SPL guys will also benefit from knowing about frequency ranges and stuff. I am no expert, but the more I talk with others, the more I realize people don't really know that much about it. So here are some basics. Add to it if you'd like.

Middle C on the piano has a frequency of 523 Hz

A just below that is 440 Hz.

One octave above any note is twice the frequency, so the next A above A - 440, is 880 Hz. On the treble clef staff that would be the high A (on the first leger line). Low A below the treble clef staff (two leger lines) would then have a frequency of 220 Hz.

Human Voice - Vocals:
Bass 80 Hz to 350 Hz
Baritone 110 Hz to 425 Hz
Alto 200 Hz to 700 Hz
Soprano 250 Hz to 1 kHz

Traditional Orchestra Instruments:
Flute 250 Hz to 2.5 kHz
Clarinet 125 Hz to 2 kHz
Alto Sax 125 Hz to 900 Hz
Tenor Sax 110 Hz to 630 Hz
Trumpet 170 Hz to 1kHz
Trombone 80 Hz 600 Hz
Tuba 45 Hz to 375 Hz
Violin 200 Hz to 3.5 kHz
Viola 125 Hz to 1kHz
Cello 62 Hz to 630 Hz

Other Instruments:

Guitar 80 Hz to 630 Hz
Piano 28 Hz to 4.1 kHz
Organ 20 Hz to 7 kHz
Timpani Drums 90 Hz to 180 Hz

As you can see, not too many instruments can go above 2 or 3 kHz. So why do we need to have speakers and equipment that reproduce frequencies beyond 5 kHz? First off, humans can hear up to 15kHz and some up to 20kHz. Secondly, instruments create harmonics well beyond the tone being played. This is what gives each instrument its characteristics. Harmonics beyond human hearing can also affect the way we perceive the frequencies that we can hear, too.

Sassmaster

iTrader: (2)

I believe that middle C is below A440 (I used to use A440 in tuning my violin) and it's 261.5 Hz, but 523 is a C nonetheless.

and A440 in the trebel cleff is in the 2nd space from the bottom. not on the first ledger line.

mugen1

I was referring to A above that at 880.

I made an error about middle C. Middle C is the C between the treble and bass clef. My bad.

A on second space of treble clef staff is 440.

I should know this stuff........ was band instructor for 20 years hee hee. Been playing instruments for 38 years. Old age = memory problems.

Keith

Good information.

Green Hornet

I have never heard a piano do 28hz, I have hit that low note on a piano a few times. The 20hz organ wouldn't be the type in grandma's basement either, it would be the church type with the 40ft tubes going up from it, now those are cool organs!

Kinslayr

iTrader: (2)

I do believe you are referring to the pipe organ.

strappingyounglad

So if this information is correct, that means no vocals should go higher than 1kHz, correct? This is very good to know...certain albums have vocals which sound very harsh and piercing through my speakers. Now I know which frequencies to adjust...

JRace

The vocal range is up to 1khz, however there will be harmonics above 1khz.

In fact normal speech has a frequency range of approximatly 250hz - 6khz.

Studies have shown that limiting input above 2khz reduces speech inteligablity drasticly.

[ May 20, 2005, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: JRace ]

SweetnLow91SC

Who did you talk to?

mike bisson

iTrader: (1)

Great post Mugen1 -- my band would be very thankful if you could teach me perfect pitch...