Periodic pressure waves are perceived as pitched while nonperiodic ones are not
Evidence
In general, sounds that have a periodic acoustic pressure variation with time are perceived as having a pitch associated with them, and sounds whose acoustic pressure waveform is nonperiodic are perceived as having no pitch. The relationship between the waveforms and spectra of pitched and nonpitched sounds is summarized in Table 3.2, and examples of each have been discussed in relation to Figures 3.2 and 3.6. The terms “time domain” and “frequency domain” are widely used when considering time (waveform) and frequency (spectral) representations of signals. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 826
Categorization
- DEFINE: Establishes the core periodic/nonperiodic distinction that underpins pitch perception.
- corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 826
- XREF: connects to: Periodic sounds give line spectra while aperiodic sounds give continuous spectra — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 822; Periodic and aperiodic spectra differ in discrete versus continuous partials — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 460; Clear pitch perception depends on periodic repetition of the pressure wave — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 774 (+9 more)
Broader Connections
- A combined waveform can produce a perceived pitch absent from its actual frequency components
#expands(0.82) — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 323 - Pitch can be perceived even when no partial exists at that frequency
#expands(0.82) — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2031 - Listeners reconstruct a perceived pitch that is not physically present
#expands(0.80) - The fundamental frequency of a pitched sound is measurable from its waveform period
#expands(0.80) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 891 - Even nonperiodic noise sounds convey a weak pitch sensation based on spectral energy distribution
#qualifies(0.78) - Continuous-spectrum noises like ‘ss’ and ‘sh’ still convey pitch sensations.
#qualifies(0.78)