Even nonperiodic noise sounds convey a weak pitch sensation based on spectral energy distribution

Evidence

In figure 3.11, the smaller fork is vibrating faster than the larger fork by factor of exactly 3/2. Using f1 = 200 and f2 = 300, the displacement of the smaller tines reads … Notice that it is perfectly periodic. Its frequency is 100 Hz, lower than either the 200 Hz or the 300 Hz component. The two waves return to their starting phase at the same time after three periods of the 300 Hz wave and two periods of the 200 Hz wave; this time is 0.01 second, corresponding to a frequency of 100 Hz. Here is the first hint of a crucial issue, one that extends to theories of music and hearing. If any single pitch can be associated with this combination, it is certainly 100 Hz, but there is no 100 Hz frequency present at all. One can also easily “hear out,” as it is called, the 200 and 300 Hz “atomic” components as individual sinusoidal pure tones embedded in the “molecular” whole. There is much more evidence to present regarding pitch perception, and we leave this subject for a full discussion in chapter 23. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 323 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Noise-type sounds have far weaker pitch strength than pure or complex tones.; Pitch sensation can be derived by integrating just-noticeable frequency variations; Auditory textures are stimuli whose only predictability lies in their statistical structure (+11 more)

Related

• A perceived pitch can exist with no partial at its own frequency. (similarity 0.91)
• A combined waveform can produce a perceived pitch absent from its actual frequency components (similarity 0.89)
• Even noise without periodic waveforms can carry a weak sense of pitch. (similarity 0.89)
• Periodic pressure waves are perceived as pitched while nonperiodic ones are not (similarity 0.88)
• The ear perceives a virtual pitch not physically present in a sound’s components (similarity 0.88)
• Noise-derived pitch sensation comes from spectral energy centroid location. (similarity 0.88)
• A short pop can still carry a recognizable resonant pitch (similarity 0.88)
• A sound can rise in pitch forever without ever rising in frequency (similarity 0.88)
• Continuous-spectrum noises like ‘ss’ and ‘sh’ still convey pitch sensations. (similarity 0.87)
• Continuous-spectrum noises can carry pitch perceived from spectral peaks (similarity 0.87)
• Perceived pitch is set primarily by fundamental frequency. (similarity 0.87)
• Sharp spectral peaks, not narrow gaps, drive strong pitch perception (similarity 0.86)
• Mixing noise with its own delayed copy can create a sense of pitch (similarity 0.86)
• Noise-type sounds have far weaker pitch strength than pure or complex tones. (similarity 0.85)
• Listeners reconstruct a perceived pitch that is not physically present (similarity 0.85)

Broader Connections

• Sharp spectral peaks, not narrow gaps, drive strong pitch perception #qualifies (0.80)
• A combined waveform can produce a perceived pitch absent from its actual frequency components #corroborates (0.80) — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 323
• Listeners reconstruct a perceived pitch that is not physically present #corroborates (0.75)