Square wave sound

1. What is a square wave in sound?
2. Why is a square wave louder?
3. Can sound waves be square waves?
4. Why do sine waves and square waves sound different?

What is a square wave in sound?

A square wave is a non-sinusoidal periodic waveform in which the amplitude alternates at a steady frequency between fixed minimum and maximum values, with the same duration at minimum and maximum. In an ideal square wave, the transitions between minimum and maximum are instantaneous.

Why is a square wave louder?

The Square wave has an RMS Equal to its Peak amplitude whereas the RMS of a Sine wave is . 707 x the Peak value. Simply put, the Square spends all its time at Peak level so sounds louder.

Can sound waves be square waves?

In audio, square waves have a very specific type of harmonic structure and thus a very distinctive sound to them. An instrument such as the clarinet naturally creates something very close to a square wave, and in synthesizers square waves are used to emulate clarinets.

Why do sine waves and square waves sound different?

A square wave is the result of the addition of a multitude of sine waves of different frequencies (the extra frequencies are called harmonics), each at a particular amplitude. It is the specific collection of harmonics that makes the difference in the sound when an oboe and a piano play the same note.