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default36ynbnrskz3x
Participant
July 4, 2021
Answered

Frecuency analysis help - Bioacustic

  • July 4, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 288 views

Hi, I am working with bioacoustics in animals sounds and I need to do frequency analysis.

I would like to determine the dominant frequency in the different sounds. However, I don't know how to do this or interpret it according to the program.

At the moment I have calculated the frequency by measuring the repetitions of patterns in the wave (a bit old-fashioned).

What is this type of frequency called or rather what are each one called?

Help!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer SteveG_AudioMasters_

I'm afraid that you are not using exactly precise terminology here, and this sort of analysis isn't always that easy to determine. Strictly speaking, the 'dominant' frequency should be the one with the highest amplitude - but the problem with that is that it may not be percieved that way at all by anybody listening to it. The reason for this is because the human ear doesn't have anything like a flat frequency response, and to compound that, it varies with the level you are hearing the sound at. look up Fletcher Munson Curve for more details.

 

The easiest way to do this sort of analysis (which doesn't actually prove a lot, quite frankly) and find what appears to be the dominant frquency is to use the Parametric EQ with one band boosted and a high Q value set - and sweep it across the sound concerned. The dominant frequency, if there is one, will become readily apparent. The trouble with animal sounds though is that what a human percieves a 'dominant' sound to be isn't necessarily what another member of the same species will percieve...

1 reply

SteveG_AudioMasters_
Community Expert
SteveG_AudioMasters_Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 4, 2021

I'm afraid that you are not using exactly precise terminology here, and this sort of analysis isn't always that easy to determine. Strictly speaking, the 'dominant' frequency should be the one with the highest amplitude - but the problem with that is that it may not be percieved that way at all by anybody listening to it. The reason for this is because the human ear doesn't have anything like a flat frequency response, and to compound that, it varies with the level you are hearing the sound at. look up Fletcher Munson Curve for more details.

 

The easiest way to do this sort of analysis (which doesn't actually prove a lot, quite frankly) and find what appears to be the dominant frquency is to use the Parametric EQ with one band boosted and a high Q value set - and sweep it across the sound concerned. The dominant frequency, if there is one, will become readily apparent. The trouble with animal sounds though is that what a human percieves a 'dominant' sound to be isn't necessarily what another member of the same species will percieve...

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    default36ynbnrskz3xAuthor
    Participant
    July 4, 2021
    Wow, I understand what you are saying. Thank you so much!.
    So the way I'm determining the frequency is wrong? (Counting the patterns
    of a section of a wave and dividing it by the duration time), I have not
    used the analysis of the program because I do not know how to clearly
    interpret it, after what I said, I will do the tests and see what I get.
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