Sound waves can exhibit coherence similar to laser light, particularly when produced as pure sine waves, which lack timbre. Instruments like synthesizers, specifically the Korg monotone generator, can create infinite sustain and generate sounds beyond human hearing. The discussion highlights that any instrument capable of producing a single note can create coherent vibrations, while timbre represents a deviation from this coherence. Tools like Matlab can be utilized to generate and play pure sine waves, emphasizing the importance of understanding sound wave characteristics.
PREREQUISITESSound engineers, music producers, acoustics researchers, and anyone interested in the scientific principles of sound wave coherence and synthesis techniques.
If you hear a pure sine wave, then you are hearing coherrent sound. A pure sine wave is completely absent of timbre. From the spectra that I've seen, a flute produces the most timbre absent sound. If you remember the Atari, it has a very timbre free tone generator (not all of its sounds, but some). If you know how to use Matlab, you can write a vector whose components depend sinusoidally on the index, and then use the ?SOUND? (I think that's the command, use the help command to find out for sure) command to make your computer play it. Once you've heard a pure sine wave, the timbre is unmistakeable. The point is, any timbre in the sound is a deviation from the monochromonance. The stringed instruments have a very rich spectrum. The piano and harpsicord are exceptionally timbre rich.Originally posted by Glenn
Can sound waves be created that are coherent in the same way that laser light is coherent?