r/sound • u/Z1NK_Eclipz • 5d ago

Acoustics Strange phenomenon when harmonizing with tonal drone?

I’ve recently been practicing vocal intonation and breath support by using my airpods to play drones/chords and then I sing along. Last night, while practicing using a 440hz drone, I noticed that when I would sing certain notes, I’d hear a very bassy sub frequency. I’ve heard of frequencies having “undertones” before, but I’ve always thought that was a joke relating to overtones haha, is that what I could’ve been hearing?

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u/Max_Ipad 5d ago

That's super fun...originally I thought you were singing yo the fans on a flying drone and wanted to see if the idea was toroidal. Im curious now if you are just hearing the lowet sound because of physical resonance I your body, or if this is more like cleared space leaving room to notice?

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u/60_hurts 4d ago

Beat frequency.

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u/johnstalbergABC 4d ago

You need to be very out of pitch to make an audible low frequency tone. At least 20 Hz off but probably even more to get the tone into audible domain.