This set of Audio Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Sound Characteristics – Intervals, Octaves and Harmonics”.
1. An octave is a musical interval defined by the ratio of 4:1 regardless of the starting frequency.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The above statement is false. An octave is a musical interval defined by the ratio of 2:1 regardless of the starting frequency. The intervals which are most pleasing to the human ear are represented by small integer ratios.
2. Which of the following can be expressed as number of octaves mathematically?
a) Number of octaves = log2 (f2/f1)
b) Number of octaves = log0 (f2/f1)
c) Number of octaves = log2 (f5/f0)
d) Number of octaves = log2 (f2/f2)
View Answer
Explanation: Mathematically, an octave for two frequencies f1 and f2 is:
Number of octaves = log2 (f2/f1)
Hence for f1 = 2000 Hz and f2 = 4000 Hz
Number of octaves = log2 (4000/2000) = log2 (2) = 1 octave
3. The harmonics have the property that they are all periodic at the fundamental frequency.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The harmonics have the property that they are all periodic at the fundamental frequency, therefore the sum of harmonics is also periodic at that frequency. As multiples of the fundamental frequency, successive harmonics can be found by repeatedly adding the fundamental frequency.
4. What can be termed as the sensation of a frequency?
a) Interval
b) Octaves
c) Harmonic
d) Pitch
View Answer
Explanation: The sensation of a frequency is defined as the pitch of a sound. High pitch sound corresponds to a high frequency sound wave and a low pitch sound corresponds to a low frequency sound wave.
5. What is the standard pitch of a human ear?
a) 220 Hz
b) 600 Hz
c) 20 Hz
d) 440 Hz
View Answer
Explanation: The standard pitch for human ear is 440 Hz. The standard pitch of 440 Hz was adopted in 1939. The sensation of a frequency is referred as the pitch of a sound. Relative phase of component tones of a complex wave does not affect the ears perception of quality.
6. Who is capable of detecting a difference in frequency between two separate sounds that is as little as 2 Hz?
a) Young
b) Old
c) Musically trained
d) Infants
View Answer
Explanation: Musically trained people are capable of detecting a difference in frequency between two separate sounds that is as little as 2 Hz. When two sounds with a frequency difference of greater than 7 Hz are played simultaneously, most people are capable of detecting the presence of a complex wave pattern resulting from the interference and the superposition of the two sound waves.
7. Which change is insensitive to a human ear?
a) Phase
b) Velocity
c) Timbre
d) Overtones
View Answer
Explanation: The standard pitch is a sound of 440 Hz. Relative phases of component tones of a complex wave does not affect the ear’s perception of quality of timbre. Hence it can be said that the human ear is insensitive to phase changes.
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