Pitch of complex signals according to virtual-pitch theory: Tests, examples, and predictions

Abstract

The pitch-extraction algorithm described by Terhardt et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 71, 679–688 (1982)] is used to compute a number of examples to test the procedure’s validity, and to illustrate its applicability. The following subjects are considered: (a) pitch of harmonic complex tones (with and without fundamental); (b) existence region of virtual pitch; (c) Shepard pitch phenomenon; (d) virtual pitch of inharmonic complex tones; (e) spectral dominance; (f) effect of amplitude spectrum on pitch; (g) pitch of bell sounds; and (h) tonal evaluation of musical chords. The algorithm’s predictions agree well with psychoacoustic observations and it is concluded that it can be useful in audio-engineering and psychoacoustic research.