LOOK 8/19/2015Theatre Arts 1(T) Sound: Properties and Functions Theatre Arts 1(T)

LOOK

04/19/23 Theatre Arts 1(T)

Sound: Properties and Functions

Theatre Arts 1(T)


Introduction to Sound

Acoustics the study of sound; the science

that deals with the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound


Sound is a vibration of a medium

Medium – a material that transmits energySpeed of sound – varies depending on pressure, temperature 1129 ft/sec, 770 mi/hr in air, 4708 ft/sec, 3210 mi/hr in water 3.17 mi/sec in steel

What we hear is based on perceived vibrations


Sound travels in waves

A transference of energy

Energy transfers via rapid changes in the density of a medium

are measureable


Wavelength (λ)

the distance between repeating units of a wave pattern;

measured from one crest to the next repeated crest, or one trough to the next repeated trough

λ of a 10,000Hz sound –> 1.35 inchesλ of a 188Hz sound –> 6 feet


Amplitude (A)

The distance of the crest or trough from neutral

Amplitude in sound waves is representative of intensity, or loudness

Loudness is measured in decibels (dB)<85 dB is considered harmful<95 dB (About what an iPod will put out)

can cause permanent damage if exposed for prolonged periods

<125 dB (Jet engine) can cause instant hearing damage


Frequency (f)

The number of occurrences of a repeated event per unit of time; pitch

Generally measured in occurrences per second, or Hertz (Hz)

Human hearing is said to be “20 to 20,” or from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (or 20kHz)

Actually more like 22 Hz to 18kHz, and

continues to decrease with age

Frequencies (Do you hear what I hear?)


440 Hz 1000 Hz 1500 Hz 2 kHz 4 kHz 8 kHz 14 kHz

15 kHz 16 kHz 17 kHz 18 kHz 19 kHz 19.5 kHz


Adding two different frequencies results in a different frequency, reinforced in some places & cancelled in others


Adding two identical frequencies in the same phase reinforces the soundAdding two identical frequencies 180° out of phase cancels out the sound

Few sounds are pure tones; most sounds are made up of a combination of frequencies and amplitudes

Timbre - /tam’-bər/ a quality given to a sound by its overtones (harmonics)

Harmonic – a frequency that is an integral multiple of the fundamental


LOOK

Perception of Sound

Loudness – Distance decreases the loudness of a sound; air absorbs higher frequencies

Hearing– humans hear 2,000 - 4000 Hz best, so this range is perceived louder than others

Masking – one sound obscured by others; lower usually masks higher



Functions of Sound in Theatre Sound Effects – (FX) used to illustrate

ideas in a play or establish ambience, i.e. radios, explosions, trees rustling in the wind, crickets at night, sounds of machinery in a manufacturing plant

Underscoring – music used to establish or reinforce mood

Live Reinforcement – microphones used to boost the loudness of existing sound(s)


The Path of Sound Source – can be live or pre-recorded

Microphones, pick-ups, synthesizers Or CD, tape, MD, mp3 or other computer file

type, record, etc. Amplifier – adds power to source signal,

boosts mic, instrument, or line level to speaker level

Processor- can effect signals with effects or enhancements

Output – either speaker or recording device


Input sources:


Patch Panel

Synthesizer Computer CD

Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone


Input sources: -Microphones


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone



-Synthesizer


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone



-Synthesizer

-Computer


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone



-Synthesizer

-Computer

-CD


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone


Signal Processing:


Signal Processing:-Equalizer


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone


Signal Processing:-Equalizer-Effects Processor


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone


Signal Processing:-Equalizer-Effects Processor-Compressor


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone


Signal Processing:-Equalizer-Effects Processor-Compressor-Delay


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone


Signal Processing:-Equalizer-Effects Processor-Compressor-Delay-Crossover


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone


Output Sources:


Output Sources:-Amplifier


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone


Output Sources:-Amplifier-Loud Speakers


Patch Panel


Crossover

Delay

Compressor

Effects Processor

Equalizer

Mixing Console

Amplifier

Amplifier

Microphone


Documents

LOOK 8/19/2015Theatre Arts 1(T) Sound: Properties and Functions Theatre Arts 1(T)