Instrument to measure the frequency of sound

[Dong Min]

I need an instrument to measure the frequency of the sound of a vibrating violin string for a high school research essay. I tried using a Labquest and a vernier microphone to measure but it was way too imprecise. I need the instrument to very accurate in measuring Hz as the nature of my essay needs the data to be precise. Are there any instruments suitable? Thank you!

 

[drvrm]

https://www.britannica.com/technology/frequency-meter

https://www.globalspec.com/industrial-directory/sound_frequency_meter

 

[scottdave]

What type of frequency resolution are you looking for? Are you wanting to see the different frequency components in the spectrum? Talk with somebody in one of the on campus labs to see if they have some equipment you could use.

 

[ZapperZ]

I need an instrument to measure the frequency of the sound of a vibrating violin string for a high school research essay. I tried using a Labquest and a vernier microphone to measure but it was way too imprecise. I need the instrument to very accurate in measuring Hz as the nature of my essay needs the data to be precise. Are there any instruments suitable? Thank you!

First of all, there is usually no "THE" frequency of a violin, or any musical instruments for that matter. You may have one main, dominant frequency, but you will also get overtones of other harmonics along with that frequency.

So, as been asked, what exactly are you trying to measure here? Are you simply wanting to know the dominant frequency, or are you also trying to measure ALL the active frequencies that are emitted for a particular note? And how accurate do you want this? Simply stating that it was "too imprecise" is very vague. You need to state the kind of resolution you want.

Zz.

 

[Dong Min]

First of all, there is usually no "THE" frequency of a violin, or any musical instruments for that matter. You may have one main, dominant frequency, but you will also get overtones of other harmonics along with that frequency.

So, as been asked, what exactly are you trying to measure here? Are you simply wanting to know the dominant frequency, or are you also trying to measure ALL the active frequencies that are emitted for a particular note? And how accurate do you want this? Simply stating that it was "too imprecise" is very vague. You need to state the kind of resolution you want.

Zz.

I'm only looking to obtain the fundamental frequency of the sound produced and not its overtones. And on the resolution, having thought about it, I don't mind too much on the resolution of the device, something along the lines of ±5Hz would be nice.

 

[Dong Min]

What type of frequency resolution are you looking for? Are you wanting to see the different frequency components in the spectrum? Talk with somebody in one of the on campus labs to see if they have some equipment you could use.

Alright, thank you!

 

[scottdave]

Or maybe the band or orchestra department has a tuning machine which will show frequency. I just thought about this: You can download apps which will display this information, in fact. Check them with a known source to see how they are. Two that I've used are DA Tuner and Pano Tuner.

 

[ZapperZ]

Or maybe the band or orchestra department has a tuning machine which will show frequency. I just thought about this: You can download apps which will display this information, in fact. Check them with a known source to see how they are. Two that I've used are DA Tuner and Pano Tuner.

That is actually a good point, because I forgot about this.

I know that a couple of my students have used an iOS app called FFT Plot, which gives you the real-time frequency spectrum of a sound. It isn't a free app, from what I remember.

Zz.

 

[russ_watters]

I just thought about this: You can download apps which will display this information, in fact. Check them with a known source to see how they are. Two that I've used are DA Tuner and Pano Tuner.

I use Spectral Pro spectrum analyzer.

 

[jim mcnamara]

Tuners are sold in most music stores and online. I have one I got online for $US24 - accurate to about 0.1Hz - of course the tuner gnome hid it - I can't find it right now to give specifics.

 

[scottdave]

There is one I have on my Android phone called Spectroid. It is free

 

[Dong Min]

Thanks guys, I got the frequency coutner by cateater on the app store (some of the android apps are not on the app stores). Nonetheless, it seems to be working pretty well.