Ever tried to describe the unusual sound a product makes with words? Check out this reference (with example sounds) to decide the best word to describe what you are hearing.
These words are commonly used in Noise and Vibration (NVH) engineering.
Words are listed in alphabetical order below. Be sure to use quality headsets to hear the full frequency range of the sounds. Playback through inexpensive headsets and laptop speakers often do not fully reproduce the sounds.
Word (Click to Listen)
Description
Example
Additional Information
Broadband sounds have somewhat equal amplitude at all frequencies. No single frequency or tone "sticks out" above the others.
Road and wind noise are common examples of broadband sound in a vehicle.
Clatter sounds like a series of transients with metallic clanging or interference.
Valve closing in a engine, piston slapping against cylinder wall. Helpful to use angle domain to locate interference as function of angle in rotation of system.
Short duration, high frequency noise. Sounds like clicking on a ball point pen.
Short duration metal on metal contact (door slam, transmission shifter, etc). Making the duration of contact longer (by wrapping the metal in plastic or rubber) lengthens the contact and lowers the frequency range.
A shrill or sharp sound has significant amounts of high frequency content.
Sounds large amount of high frequency content are often considered shrill. For example, a vacuum cleaner with high frequency content rather than low frequency tones.
