How Sound Travels
Wave Propagation sounds like a fancy term, but it is actually quite simple to understand. In this video, you will learn why wave propagation is just as important to understand as it is simple.
Key Points:
Key Points:
- Wave Propagation describes how sound waves travel through a medium. When we speak of “how” sound waves travel, we are mainly referring to the speed and directionality of the sound wave.
- A medium is anything that allows the vibration to travel through it (wood, air, water, etc.)
- The medium that sound travels through impacts its speed. For example, speed travels through water 4x faster than it does through air.
- When talking about audio, the medium is typically air. (**Worth memorizing: the speed at which sound travels through air is 1130 ft/second.*)
- The medium affects the speed of a sound wave, but the frequency of a sound wave affects its directionality. Certain frequencies are more directional than others.
- Lower frequencies tend to be omni-directional: traveling equally in all directions.
- Higher frequencies tend to beam: traveling increasingly in one direction the higher the frequency.
Pro Tip: Elevation, temperature, and humidity all effect the speed of sound. This is important to consider whether you are recording in the studio or mixing for a live concert or Sunday service. Are you wanting to keep the speed of your sound waves consistent? Think twice before adjusting the thermostat in your studio mid-session or venue mid-service!
This video is part of a series we filmed back-to-back. Check out the previous video or watch the entire series in the Intro to Audio Fundamentals playlist.
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