Periodicity in the acoustic waveform determines whether a sound is perceived as pitched.

Evidence

In general, sounds which have a periodic acoustic pressure variation with time are perceived as having a pitch associated with them, and sounds whose acoustic pressure waveform is non-periodic are perceived as having no pitch. The relationship between the waveforms and spectra of pitched and non-pitched 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 Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 828

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. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 826

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the pitched/non-pitched boundary via waveform periodicity and introduces the time-domain/frequency-domain pair.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 828; David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 826
• XREF: connects to: Unambiguous pitch perception requires a periodically repeating acoustic waveform — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 774; Periodicity in a sound’s waveform is what makes it perceptible as having pitch.; The fundamental frequency of a pitched sound is measurable from its waveform period — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 891 (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Periodicity in a sound’s waveform is what makes it perceptible as having pitch. #corroborates (0.95)
• Clear pitch perception depends on periodic repetition of the pressure wave #corroborates (0.90) — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 774
• Clear musical pitch arises from regularly repeating acoustic waveforms #corroborates (0.90)
• Periodic pressure waves are perceived as pitched while nonperiodic ones are not #corroborates (0.85) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 826
• The fundamental frequency of a pitched sound is measurable from its waveform period #corroborates (0.80) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 891
• Offsetting siren hole rows shifts perceived pitch by changing periodicity #exemplifies (0.75) — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2102
• Narrowband noise can carry clearer pitch than some periodic signals #qualifies (0.72) — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 1082