Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
There are various common basic waveforms used in electronic circuits: sine wave, square wave, triangular wave, and the sawtooth or ramp waveform.
When these are listened to or hear these common waveforms sound very different, but al have their distinctive sounds.
The sine wave sounds very round and musically has little interest. This is because it does not have the richness of any harmonics - it consists simply of the fundamental as shown on the spectrum analyser screen output.
The square wave is rich in harmonics and it sounds quite harsh, but musically more interesting.
The triangular waveform sounds more rounded than the square wave, but has more interest musically than a sine wave.
Both versions of the sawtooth waveform sound very similar, and quite 'electronic' in their sound. They have a high content of harmonics because the sharp rise and fall of one of the edges means that this waveform is rich in harmonics.
For more information about waveforms head over to our web page: electronics-notes.com/articles/basic_concepts/electronic-electrical-waveforms/waveform-types-basics-sine-square-triangle-ramp.php
Long form video of waveform sounds: youtu.be/MrZ6E_HWB7U
Our website URL is: electronics-notes.com
Please don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/electronicsnotes?sub_confirmation=1
There are various common basic waveforms used in electronic circuits: sine wave, square wave, triangular wave, and the sawtooth or ramp waveform.
When these are listened to or hear these common waveforms sound very different, but al have their distinctive sounds.
The sine wave sounds very round and musically has little interest. This is because it does not have the richness of any harmonics - it consists simply of the fundamental as shown on the spectrum analyser screen output.
The square wave is rich in harmonics and it sounds quite harsh, but musically more interesting.
The triangular waveform sounds more rounded than the square wave, but has more interest musically than a sine wave.
Both versions of the sawtooth waveform sound very similar, and quite 'electronic' in their sound. They have a high content of harmonics because the sharp rise and fall of one of the edges means that this waveform is rich in harmonics.
For more information about waveforms head over to our web page: electronics-notes.com/articles/basic_concepts/electronic-electrical-waveforms/waveform-types-basics-sine-square-triangle-ramp.php
Long form video of waveform sounds: youtu.be/MrZ6E_HWB7U
Our website URL is: electronics-notes.com
Please don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/electronicsnotes?sub_confirmation=1
