Spectrasons

The Spectrasons is a generator of pure sinusoidal signals.
It delivers a complex signal corresponding to the sum of simple sinusoidal signals, each of which can have its amplitude adjusted independently.
The reproduction of the sound signals can be done through headphones or a speaker + amplifier.
A more in-depth analysis of the signals can be carried out using ExAO or an oscilloscope.
To delve further, a dedicated Sound/Spectrum module from the Scientific Workshop is available to progressively explore the principle of spectral analysis.

1- The simple output allows for the acquisition of a pure sinusoidal wave generated by the Spectrasons, with the frequency ranging from f to 7f selected using the 2 frequency selector buttons. The lighting of a diode indicates the frequency of the selected wave, which is then output through the simple output. A speaker can be connected to this output to listen to the produced sound and understand the concept of pitch based on the selected wave frequency.

2- The complex output is equivalent to the real-time sum of all simple signals (from f to 7f).
The student selects a frequency and adjusts the amplitude using the + and - buttons. A speaker can also be connected to this output to analyze the impact of the amplitude of harmonics on the timbre of a sound.
Thus, in real-time, the student listens to and modifies the amplitude of each harmonic to highlight the modification of the timbre of a sound, but not the pitch, which is determined by the fundamental at f=220 Hz.

3- The sync output allows for acquiring the simple signals in an equivalent time base, if necessary, to sum them up and thus retrieve a signal identical to that of the complex output.