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Yes, but it's not the harmonics on the continuous tone that gives characteristic timbre.

but the complex 'shape' of the attack or starting transient, which fully characterises the instrument. That is, we know it's an oboe very quickly, before the sustain happens.

The next most important to our hearing and affective systems is the decay, and the continuous tone and ITS harmonics comes last.

Note also that a large number of instruments don't do continuous tones, no sustain, Pianos, all percussion, and harpsichords. But they still have characteristic tone and expression, and so do their players.

The ability to retain the relationship of the fundamental and harmonics in the starting transient wave form is very important, and if that is right steady state behaviour will also be fine IME.

Matching rise and settling times in the recording and reproduction chain are also important. One of the reasons why our rooms and recording venues are important.

Good output transformers and matched speakers are vital.



Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger



Edits: 08/15/12

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  • Yes, but it's not the harmonics on the continuous tone that gives characteristic timbre. - Timbo in Oz 01:07:17 08/15/12 (0)

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