Microsound – FAQ 

1.    What is Microsound? 

Perception of sound by human ear needs a minimum duration. Any sound with less duration will be called microsound. It is shorter than 1/10 second and longer than 10 milliseconds. It includes audio frequencies 20 Hz to 20KHz and infrasonic frequencies below 20 Hz.

  

2. What are the main differences between sound and microsound, apart from the above differences?

The main differences is the decomposition of sound into minute sound particles called grains ( & many other names).

At the level of microsound, the grains become a supple medium for manipulation unimaginable in the case of normal sound.

3. What kinds of manipulation are possible with the grains?

        By dynamically varying the density of grains/second, a variety of scintillation effects, not possible in normal sound editing, can be produced.

        Also the frequencies of the grains can undergo many kinds of changes to produce special effects, not possible in normal sound editing.

        Manipulation of the cloud of grains will produce new timbral sounds.

        Thus the scope to produce new musical effects is wide in microsound.

4. How one can hear the results of the manipulation of the grains?

        For human ear to hear a sound, it must have duration above 1/10 second, loudness above 0 decibel and frequency above 20 Hz.

       When the grains are added, using synthesis techniques, increasing their density/second, and the resultant sound is above the threshold level mentioned above; one can hear the results of the manipulation of the grains.

5. How music can be composed using microsound ?

There is readily available software to generate and manipulate microsound. Using such software one can compose & produce music depending on his music knowledge and skills.

Source : Microsound  by Curtis Roads