Low end and harmonics
The harmonic series
Harmonics, multiples of the fundamental, make a sound rich.
An instrumental sound contains a fundamental and harmonics at 2, 3, 4… times its frequency. Their balance gives the colour: few harmonics, a soft sound; many, a rich and bright one.
That is why EQ in the highs changes the timbre of a bass without changing its note: it acts on the harmonics, not the fundamental.
It is also why you hear a bass line on a small speaker that cannot reproduce its fundamental: the ear rebuilds the pitch from the harmonics.
Listen for
- Brightness rising with the number of harmonics.
- The note itself, which does not change.
The classic mistake
Confusing more harmonics with a higher note: the pitch stays that of the fundamental.
Put it into practice
Harmonics · Discovery
HarmonicsThe lesson is complete when the level is passed (35/50).