Critical Band: A Comprehensive Overview
The critical band (CB) is a concept in psychoacoustics that describes the range of frequencies within which a sound can be heard as a single unified event. It is an important concept for understanding the perception of sound, and has been widely studied in the field of auditory neuroscience. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the critical band, including its definition, properties, and applications.
Definition
The critical band is defined as a range of frequencies that are heard as a single unit. This range is typically in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 kHz, although it can be wider in some cases. The range of frequencies within the CB is determined by the auditory filter, which is a physiological process that occurs in the cochlea. The auditory filter acts to separate sounds into different frequency bands, allowing for more precise sound perception.
Properties
The critical band has several important properties. First, it is a frequency-dependent phenomenon, meaning that the range of frequencies within the CB can vary depending on the frequency of the sound. Second, it has a non-linear response, meaning that the range of frequencies within the CB is not constant. Third, it is a dynamic range, meaning that it can be affected by the level of the sound. Finally, it is inversely related to the bandwidth of the auditory filter, meaning that the wider the auditory filter bandwidth, the narrower the critical band.
Applications
The critical band has a number of applications in research and in practical settings. For example, it is used to study how the auditory system processes sound, and to develop models of auditory perception. It is also used to understand the perception of pitch, loudness, and timbre. Additionally, it is used in sound engineering and music production, as it can help to create more natural-sounding recordings and mixes.
Conclusion
The critical band is an important concept in psychoacoustics that describes the range of frequencies within which a sound can be heard as a single unit. Its properties and applications make it a useful tool for understanding the perception of sound, and for sound engineering and music production.
References
Moore, B. C. J. (2020). An Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing. Academic Press.
Plack, C. J., Oxenham, A. J., & Fay, R. R. (2005). The fundamentals of psychoacoustics. Oxford University Press.
Rosen, S. (1982). Auditory filter shapes derived with noise stimuli. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 71(3), 675–688. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.388732
Shannon, R. V. (1993). Bandwidth-limited critical bands in human hearing. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 93(5), 2299–2312. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.406079