Frequency (Hz)

[Slappingpopping]

Can somebody please send me a link explaining Hz that is related to electronics. All i know is that Hz is the unit on Frequency, I always hear reviewers explaining that each pot is tuned to 2000k and such, jauqo iii-x explaining that his low c# is 17hz. I would like to know what they mean and why they bother telling us. Thanks

[sonic assassin]

the rating of a pot is resistance. 500k, thats 500 thousand OHMs.

frequencies tell us what a note is tuned to. 440 is an A (which we tune to). so 220 is an A. as is 110, and 55. so our A string is tuned to 55hz. E is roughly 40. low B is around 30.

in saying hes down to 17hz, its telling us which octave, how low, and bragging about the fact that the fundamental of the open note cant be heard by a human being on earth. our hearing bottoms out at 20hz. we can feel 17, but we wont hear the fundamental, only harmonics.

C# can also be 34hz, which would imply that its on his B string. so we can infer what his setup is by his naming strings in Hz

[Munjibunga]

One hertz (hz) is one cycle per second. So if one says "I tune to A-440," they mean they tune to a frequency of 440 hz. Sound is made up of waves, and a particular pitch will vibrate the air (or other medium) a specific number of times per second. Hertz has units of "per second," or one over the period of the wave (see diagram).

[MIJ-VI]

"Equal loudness contours and audiometry - Hearing test on-line

This hearing test measures the relative sensitivity of your ears at different frequencies..."
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by sonic assassin

in saying hes down to 17hz, its telling us which octave, how low,

Originally Posted by sonic assassin

and bragging about the fact that the fundamental of the open note cant be heard by a human being on earth. our hearing bottoms out at 20hz. we can feel 17, but we wont hear the fundamental, only harmonics

What am I bragging about? And there is nothing on record any where where I have ever said that that open note can not be heard by a human on earth.


When I mention that my low C# string is 17hz it is because people ask. There is a lot of misinformation out there.




It is others who feel that that note can not be heard by a human ear. And to think that humans hearing bottoms out at 20hz is the biggest misconception out there about frequency range.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Slappingpopping

Can somebody please send me a link explaining Hz that is related to electronics. All i know is that Hz is the unit on Frequency, I always hear reviewers explaining that each pot is tuned to 2000k and such, jauqo iii-x explaining that his low c# is 17hz. I would like to know what they mean and why they bother telling us. Thanks

Good question, but here's a better one...

"My A is tuned to 440 hz but when I adjust the 2.2 khz slider, it affects the tone. Why is that when 2.2 khz is nowhere near 440 hz?"

Let's see what responses come rolling in. Hopefully, we'll start to see what a "hz" actually is and how it relates to sound structure. I know just enough to be dangerous so I'll leave it to the pros.

Riis

[JAUQO III-X]

To the op this might be a good basic place to start.




http://www.contrabass.com/pages/frequency.html



And remember if frequencies under 20hz weren't audible there would be no need to include them in any frequency chart.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

To the op this might be a good basic place to start.




http://www.contrabass.com/pages/frequency.html



And remember if frequencies under 20hz weren't audible there would be no need to include them in any frequency chart.

Excellent! Gotta get me one of those 64' PVC subcontrabass clarinets.

Riis

[JTE]

Hz was much easier to comprehend under the original name for the measurment, cycles per second. An A-440 tuning fork vibrates 440 cycles every second. As the number of vibrations go up, the pitch goes up, and it follows a mathematical formula. Every time the frequency doubles, the pitch goes up an octave. A standard tuning fork is 440 Hz, that's the fifth fret of the first string on a standard-tuned guitar. One octave lower is 220 Hz, which is the 2nd fret/3rd string of a guitar in standard tuning, or the 14th fret/1st string of a standard tuned 4-string bass. Another octave lower is 110 Hz, the A at the second fret of a bass. One more octave and you're at 55 Hz, the open A string on the bass.

Now the other aspect is that what we hear is mostly the overtones, not the fundamental. That open A string that's vibrating at 55 Hz also has nodes of it that vibrate at other frequencies. The ratio of those frequencies compared to the fundamental 55Hz tone is what gives different strings their character. The amount, nature, and exact mixture of overtones is why a flatwound string sounds so different from a roundwound. Those parameters are also why MY Precision sounds different from other Precisions (and a big reason why lots of bassist LIKE tweeters, despite the sanctimonious assertions of those who think an electric bass' sound is soley based on the fundamentals- If they only heard the fundamental of their strings, they'd probably hate the sound).

For the OP, it's simple physics. If you're still in school, wake up and pay attention in physical science when they talk about vibrations and waves. It'll help you a LOT with understanding how basses, amps, and speaker cabinets work.

John

[SpamBot]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

Good question, but here's a better one...

"My A is tuned to 440 hz but when I adjust the 2.2 khz slider, it affects the tone. Why is that when 2.2 khz is nowhere near 440 hz?"

Let's see what responses come rolling in. Hopefully, we'll start to see what a "hz" actually is and how it relates to sound structure. I know just enough to be dangerous so I'll leave it to the pros.

Riis

Harmonics. On any instrument other than a Theremin or other sine wave generator, there is harmonic content at each multiple of the fundamental frequency. The relative volume of each harmonic is what gives different instruments different timbres.

[sonic assassin]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

What am I bragging about? And there is nothing on record any where where I have ever said that that open note can not be heard by a human on earth.

When I mention that my low C# string is 17hz it is because people ask. There is a lot of misinformation out there.

It is others who feel that that note can not be heard by a human ear. And to think that humans hearing bottoms out at 20hz is the biggest misconception out there about frequency range.

that wasnt meant to be inflammatory. most of the time when people talk about how low they tune, its to get into a pissing contest. if someone asked and you answer, thats understandable. but the OP made it sound like you were running around telling everyone. just my inference. no big deal.

the FUNDAMENTAL cant be heard. if you can make a 17hz sine wave and find a system that will reproduce it, i doubt anyone will hear it. they will hear everything in the room resonate, but not that note.

with a low C# string, you hear harmonic overtones. thats where the tone lies anyway.