Sound Design Sound 4

Question 1

The equal-loudness contours (Fletcher-Munson curves) show that the human ear is LEAST sensitive to which frequency range at low listening levels?

Accepted Answer

Low frequencies below 100 Hz and very high frequencies above 10 kHz

Answer

At low SPL levels, the ear requires much more energy to perceive bass and extreme treble at equal loudness to midrange frequencies, as shown by the Fletcher-Munson curves.

Question 2

What is the primary perceptual correlate of a sound wave's amplitude?

Accepted Answer

Loudness

Answer

Amplitude (the peak displacement or pressure of the wave) primarily corresponds to the perceived loudness of a sound.

Question 3

Psychoacoustically, what phenomenon allows a loud sound to mask a quieter sound at a nearby frequency?

Accepted Answer

Simultaneous masking

Answer

Simultaneous masking occurs when a loud sound raises the threshold of hearing for quieter sounds at the same time, making nearby frequencies inaudible.

Question 4

Which cue does the human auditory system use to localize sound sources on the vertical (elevation) plane?

Accepted Answer

Head-related transfer function (HRTF) spectral shaping

Answer

The outer ear (pinna) shapes the spectral content of incoming sounds differently depending on elevation; the brain interprets these HRTF cues to determine vertical position.

Question 5

The decibel scale is logarithmic. An increase of 10 dB corresponds to a perceived loudness that is approximately:

Accepted Answer

Twice as loud

Answer

Perceptually, a 10 dB increase is heard as roughly twice as loud, even though it represents a tenfold increase in sound power.

Sound Design Practice Test

Sound Design Practice Test

Sound Design Sound 4