← Music Technology syllabus

EnglandMusic Technology

The principles of sound

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do we describe a sound wave, and how do amplitude, frequency, period and wavelength relate to what we hear?

Sound as a longitudinal pressure wave: amplitude and loudness, frequency and pitch, period, wavelength and the wave equation, and the audible frequency range.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 principles of sound, covering sound as a longitudinal pressure wave, amplitude and loudness, frequency and pitch, period, wavelength, the wave equation and the audible range.
12 min answer →

What makes two instruments playing the same note sound different, and how does the harmonic series explain timbre?

The harmonic series and timbre: fundamental and harmonics, how the relative levels of harmonics shape tone, the waveform shapes of basic tones, the frequency spectrum and the phase relationships that create a sound's character.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 harmonics content, covering the harmonic series, fundamental and harmonics, how relative harmonic levels shape timbre, the basic waveform shapes, the frequency spectrum and phase.
12 min answer →

How is a continuous sound wave turned into digital data, and what do sampling rate and bit depth control?

Analogue-to-digital conversion: sampling rate and the Nyquist theorem, aliasing and the anti-aliasing filter, bit depth and quantisation, dynamic range and quantisation noise, and common audio resolutions.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 digital audio content, covering analogue-to-digital conversion, sampling rate and the Nyquist theorem, aliasing, bit depth and quantisation, dynamic range and common audio resolutions.
13 min answer →

Why do we measure sound level in decibels, and how does the logarithmic decibel relate to amplitude and power?

The decibel as a logarithmic ratio: the power formula and the amplitude (voltage) formula, dBFS and headroom, the relationship between decibel change and perceived loudness, and dynamic range.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 decibel content, covering the decibel as a logarithmic ratio, the power and amplitude formulae, dBFS and headroom, how decibel changes map to perceived loudness, and dynamic range.
13 min answer →