Waveform diagrams by Matt Ottewill

MP3 sample waves

Sine wave 1KHz

Sine wave sweep 20Hz to 20KHz

Square wave 1KHz

If you have not done so already, you may wish to read what is sound? first.

Because it is difficult to visualise sound, we can employ a diagram to represent the pattern of changing air pressure. These diagrams are called waveform diagrams and they have become the standard way to show frequency and changing amplitude over time in books and software (at the foot of this page are 2 screenshots showing complex waves taken from Logics sample editor page).

NOTE: The diagrams on this page show the waveform of a sine wave.

Now, click to watch our video at our sister site (or read on) ..

Sine wave

When a source expands and contracts absolutely consistently (unfound in nature) it is said to be moving in simple harmonic motion. The wave it produces is known as a sine wave.

The diagrams on this page show a sine wave. We could have used any other wave but a sine wave is nice and simple and makes it easier to show how waveform diagrams work. You can listen to sine waves at different frequencies by clicking on the MP3 audio examples on this page.

NOTE: A single isolated sine wave can only be created by an electronic sound source (an oscillator) which can create and electrical pressure soundwave according to the strict mathematical principals of electronics design. Sine waves are the building blocks of all complex sounds found in nature.

Waveform diagrams of a sine wave

1) Cycle of source (a sphere) vibration - compression and rarefaction

2) Waveform diagram- amplitude, wavelength (frequency), compression and rarefaction

Amplitude

The "amount" of compression and rarefaction of the air is the amplitude of the soundwave, the volume or loudness which the ear perceives. As long as the air pressure is changing (rising and falling), sound will be heard.

It is critical to note that waveform diagrams show amplitude on a bi-polar axis, and that silence is shown as a flat horizontal line (the horizontal axis).

A soundwave of a single
frequency shown at 2
amplitudes, and silence.

Korg prophecy

Cycles

When a source has expanded and contracted once it is said to have cycled. This is a single vibration.

Wavelength

The physical distance between two adjacent points on a sound wave (from any point on one cycle to the same point on the following cycle) is known as the wavelength and is denoted by the Greek letter lambda. Because a sound source can vibrate at many different speeds this wavelength is variable.

The wavelength of sound at 20 cycles per second (deep bass) is approximately 17 metres. The wavelength of sound at 20,000 cycles per seconds (high treble) is 1.7 cm. Wavelength is critical to understanding of how sound behaves when it encounters a physical obstruction. (See transmission, reflection and absorption later).

Frequency

The speed at which the source vibrates is known as the frequency of the soundwave and is expressed in hertz (Hz) or cycles per second (cps). 1000 hertz = 1 kilohertz (kHz).