Nine Components of Sound Robert L Mott's Nine Components of Sound Listed below are nine components that most influence how sound effects are perceived. By modifying or eliminating any one or a combination of these components, the sound effects are changed or totally new sounds are created. The pitch of a sound is determined by the frequency of the sound. Normally we refer to its pitch.
Humans are most sensitive to midrange frequencies.
P resence of a sound enables us to hear it clearly and gives us the feeling that we are close to its origin. Timbre Timbre is that unique combination of fundamental frequency, harmonics, and overtones that gives each voice, musical instrument, and sound effect its unique coloring and character. When a object vibrates it propagates sound waves of a certain frequency. This frequency, in turn, sets in motion frequency waves called harmonics. The basic frequency and its resultant harmonics determine the timbre of a sound.