The time-domain impulse view explains acoustic phenomena that frequency analysis only describes

Evidence

The impulse response—that is, the response to a quick kick at a specific point (see figure 11.1)—and the power supplied by a sinusoidal drive at the same point, measured over many frequencies, contain the same information. Despite this mathematical equivalence, the power spectrum language is by far the more common. This is a shame, because many important phenomena yield their secrets very reluctantly from the viewpoint of the power spectrum, yet peacefully surrender to a time-dependent impulse perspective. Using the language of the frequency domain, one is often reduced to mere description of the outcome, hoping that it will pass as an explanation, but in the time domain we often really can explain what is going on. Examples include the role of brass instrument mouthpieces (see section 16.3) and flute cork position (see section 16.4) in completely reshaping the spectrum. Other important examples include the “bridge hill” in the violin (see section 18.2), and wolf notes in cellos and some violins. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 1059

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines impulse response and contrasts it with power spectrum language.
• XREF: Connects to frequency-time duality themes in signal processing and Fourier analysis from earlier chapters.
• QUESTION: Worth chasing: how does the time-domain view specifically explain the brass mouthpiece and violin bridge hill reshaping?