Computer Music: Musc 216
3-D SPECTRUM of a Square Wave

Listen to the sound of a Square Wave

Here is the SPECTRUM of a square wave sounding for approx. 2 seconds.. The HORIZONTAL represents FREQUENCY. The VERTICAL represents AMPLITUDE. Note:

- the FUNDAMENTAL is the loudest harmonic.

- the individual harmonics follow the natural HARMONIC SERIES but only utilize the ODD harmonics (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.)

- the amplitude of any specific harmonic is inversely proportional to the position of the harmonic (harmonic #3 has an amplitude of 1/3 on a 100% scale; harmonic #5 has an amplitude of 1/5, etc.