critical band

A range of frequency-ratios which sweeps across the audible spectrum in a band, within which two notes will sound like they are fusing into one rough sound.

[from Joe Monzo, JustMusic: A New Harmony]

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A range of frequency-ratios which is less than a minor third across much of the audible spectrum, but considerably wider in the lower registers. If the interval between two pure tones is greater than a critical band, there will be no roughness in the sensation; as the interval is further decreased the roughness will at first increase, then the notes will sound like they are fusing into one rough sound; then the sensation will be of one tone of varying amplitute (beating); then the roughness will decrease as the rate of beating decreases, slowing down to zero as the interval approaches unison.

[from Paul Erlich]

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