Voice Acoustics

Speech science and voice acoustics have a long history. This site gives an introduction to voice acoustics and the science of singing, aimed at a general audience. It also links to introductions to some of our research in the acoustics of speech and singing. Introduction to voice acoustics is a broad introduction, written at two levels: a brief, less-technical overview, followed by a more detailed account with references.

The movie linked above summarises much of the lab's work on vocal resonances.

• 'Ecological' measurements of the vocal tract resonance frequencies using broad band excitation at the mouth.
• Precise laboratory measurements of vocal tract impedance spectra, resonance frequencies and bandwidths.  
• Formants: what are they? A discussion of the three different meanings of this term.
• Sopranos often tune the vocal tract to the note they are singing (reported in Nature.) We also show how Wagner makes it easier.
• We give an explanation of some of the acoustics of harmonic singing.
• Helium speech: an explanation with sound files.

• Our formal publications in voice and music acoustics.

Some explanatory notes

• What is a decibel?
• What is a sound spectrum
• What is acoustic impedance and why is it important?
• FAQ in music and voice acoustics