LOUDNESS CONTOURS

A brief introduction to equal loudness curves.

LET US START WITH SOME FACTUAL DETAILS

The frequency range of human

hearing responsible for the
Perception of Speech is 300Hz
to 3000Hz.
This range is used for voice
communication in telephony and
is the range the human ear is the
most sensitive.
HOW DIFFERENT PARAMETERS EFFECT EACH OTHER

FREQUENCY VELOCITY INCREASES AMPLITUDE REMAINS THE SAME

(PITCH) V= F*W

AMPLITUDE VELOCITY DOES NOT CHANGE FREQUENCY REMAINS THE SAME

(VOLUME)

Volume is the amplitude of the wave, and is how loud a sound

is. Increasing amplitude will keep the same sounds, but make
them louder.

Frequency is the pitch of the sound. It is the inverse of the

LET US TRY AND IMPLEMENT WHAT WE LEARNED

Let us become aware of at

least the spectrum of the
audio frequency.
LET US UNDERSTAND IT BETTER

Ramp of 12 steps of 3 dB each at the following

frequencies: (1) 50 Hz; (2) 500 Hz; (3) 4000 Hz. Count
the number of steps you can hear, the frequency with
the greatest number being the one where the ear is
most sensitive
PROPERTIES OF LOUDNESS

Loudness is a subjective quality that depends on

– sound pressure level;
– frequency;
– spectrum;
– duration and amplitude envelope;
– environmental conditions etc.
FLECHER AND MUNSON CURVES
 SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL of PURE Tones that are perceived
EQUAL LOUDNESS CURVES being equally loud.
COMPARING THE TWO CURVES
HOW IT INTERESTS IN REAL LIFE

-Mixing Audio
-Development of advanced speakers and microphones
-Help us understand the changes we need to make in our manufacturing
processes and in our mixing and mastering methodologies.
THANK YOU