What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Young Angus

Kometose Tonologist
Or in harmonic content? Like as in amps, tubes, or pickups. Im pretty sure it doesnt mean that you can get heaps of easy pinch harmonics out of it so what exactly does this mean?
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Ok.... :22:

The primary contributers to the quality or timbre of the sound of a musical instrument are harmonic content, attack and decay, and vibrato. For sustained tones, the most important of these is the harmonic content, the number and relative intensity of the upper harmonics present in the sound.

Some musical sound sources have overtones which are not harmonics of the fundamental. While there is some efficiency in characterizing such sources in terms of their overtones, it is always possible to characterize a periodic waveform in terms of harmonics - such an analysis is called Fourier analysis. It is common practice to characterize a sound waveform by the spectrum of harmonics necessary to reproduce the observed waveform.

The recognition of different vowel sounds of the human voice is largely accomplished by analysis of the harmonic content by the inner ear. Their distinctly different quality is attributed to vocal formants, frequency ranges where the harmonics are enhanced.

:headache:

:D
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Great question! I think that we will see some interesting replies to this thread.

There are two different kinds of harmonics, or overtones, produced when you play through an amplifier: Even order and odd order harmonics. Different amlifiers accentuate different types of harmonics. Generally speaking, even order harmonics are more euphonic, or sonically pleasing to the ear. Odd order harmonics are more electronic sounding. Tube amplifiers are rich in even order harmonics.

To ME, a harmonically rich amplifier is one that is very pleasing to hear, with a complex tonal characteristic. The combination of guitar/amp/speaker is VERY complex, and no amp modeller can really reproduced the sound of a great amplifier, which is why guitarists are single-handedly keeping the tube market alive. Great examples of harmonically rich amplifiers are Matchelss, Vox, Rivera, and vintage Fender and Marshall. They don't necessarity have to sound "lush" to be harmonically complex, but they should not sound two-dimensional at all.

Hope you find this helpful. I'm sure someone like Jolly or Gearjonser or Lew can expain it even better than me.
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Listen to a good amp. Now throw a blanket over the speakers and stick your head under a pillow.
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

The other guys summed it up pretty well, so I'll just put it into pictures for ya.

Harmonic Content Up the Ying Yang.
best-LP%27s-n-amps.jpg


Almost NO Harmonic Content
487019.tiny.jpg
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Gearjoneser said:
The other guys summed it up pretty well, so I'll just put it into pictures for ya.

Harmonic Content Up the Ying Yang.
best-LP%27s-n-amps.jpg


Almost NO Harmonic Content
487019.tiny.jpg

Damn!.... F*ck me! :32: :blackeye:
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Thames said:
Ok.... :22:

The primary contributers to the quality or timbre of the sound of a musical instrument are harmonic content, attack and decay, and vibrato. For sustained tones, the most important of these is the harmonic content, the number and relative intensity of the upper harmonics present in the sound.

Some musical sound sources have overtones which are not harmonics of the fundamental. While there is some efficiency in characterizing such sources in terms of their overtones, it is always possible to characterize a periodic waveform in terms of harmonics - such an analysis is called Fourier analysis. It is common practice to characterize a sound waveform by the spectrum of harmonics necessary to reproduce the observed waveform.

The recognition of different vowel sounds of the human voice is largely accomplished by analysis of the harmonic content by the inner ear. Their distinctly different quality is attributed to vocal formants, frequency ranges where the harmonics are enhanced.

:headache:

:D
Ditto...
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Also, multiple sound sources will produce what are called "artificial harmonics". Fire up a bass and a guitar and you will hear some as they play. Fire up a keyboard player, a drummer, 2 guitarists and a bass player, and you will hear a lot of them.

They are the high pitch, feedback like tones you can hear above the band.

Or, put some Mozart in your stereo, [preferably a song featuring a full orchestra] and crank it. Welcome to harmonic la la land.

I once saw an interview with the singer from Aerosmith, and they actually listen to their recorded and mixed album, and then go back and intentionally add keyboard and/or guitar parts PLAYING the artificial notes produced by their recordings. I always wondered though... Doing that could ADD more artificial harmonics, so... HOW DO THEY DECIDE WHEN TO QUIT?
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

when you get your Komet, you can let us all know what it is ;)

nice Roque amp, Joneser :D
 
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Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Like iv said before, you can learn alot of stuff from a bunch of great guys here. Excellent gentelmen, just outstanding. ONE PROUD MEMBER.
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

RACER X said:
Like iv said before, you can learn alot of stuff from a bunch of great guys here. Excellent gentelmen, just outstanding. ONE PROUD MEMBER.

:beerchug:

Cheers to that!
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Ooops, the Rogue amp just melted. It was sitting too close to the Bogner. :laugh2:
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Gearjoneser said:
Ooops, the Rogue amp just melted. It was sitting too close to the Bogner. :laugh2:
LOL!! :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:
 
Re: What does it mean when something is rich in harmonics?

Hello Hello-
It means it costs more......
[sorry, couldn't resist...]
Brian.
 
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