Experiments with Complex Sounds

Fletcher's experiments concluded that putting the same sound in both ears (stereo) is twice as loud than if it were heard monaurally (mono).

Experiment suggested by Max Matthews:

• create a sinusoid at 1000 Hz
• create a second sound synthesized by adding sinusoids at 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 Hz, each having 1/6th the power of the single sine wave.
• the sum of sinusoids should sound louder than the single sine wave of the same power.
• is this true at many amplitude levels?
• compare the harmonic sound with an inharmonic sound (e.g., 500, 1100, 1773, 2173, 2717, 3141 Hz); which do you think will sound louder?

max.pd