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Acoustical Characteristics of Musical Instruments
This article contains a comprehensive table that provides information about different musical instruments, their tonal range, sound levels and dynamic range.
Use the table below to get an overview of your instrument's tonal range, sound pressure level and dynamic range. It will help you decide on the required minimum specifications for your microphone.
| Instrument | Tonal Range (Lower/Upper) | Frequency Content Up To (Harmonics/Noise) | Typical Max SPL, 3m | SPL (dB re 20μPa) | Dynamic Range | Attack Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | G (196 Hz) / G⁴ (3136 Hz) | 10 kHz / 16 kHz | 95 dB | At the ear: up to 109 dB | 30 dB | 5-30 ms |
| Viola | C (131 Hz) / C³ (1047 Hz) | 10 kHz / 16 kHz | 30 dB | 30–50 ms | ||
| Cello | C (65.4 Hz) / C³ (1047 Hz) | 8 kHz / 16 kHz | 35 dB | Plucked string: 5–30 ms; Struck string: 30–50 ms | ||
| Double Bass | E₁ (41.2 Hz) / G (196 Hz) | 7.5 kHz / 10 kHz | 95 dB | 35 dB | Up to 110 ms; Hard: up to 110 ms; Soft: up to 450 ms | |
| Trumpet | E (165 Hz) / D³ (1175 Hz) | 15 kHz / 15 kHz | 106 dB | 0.5 m from bell piece: normal; forte: 108 dB; extreme forte: 128 dB | Lower tonal range: 30 dB; Higher tonal range: 10 dB | 20–40 ms |
| French horn | H₁ (61.7 Hz) / F² (698 Hz) | 10 kHz / 10 kHz | 95 dB | Middle tonal range: 40 dB; Higher tonal range: 20 dB | 20-40 ms; In low tonal range: up to 80 ms | |
| Trombone | E (82.4 Hz) / C² (523 Hz) | 7 kHz / 10 kHz | 104 dB | Middle tonal range: 45 dB | 20–40 ms | |
| Tuba | Eb1 (39 Hz) / G¹ (392 Hz) | 4 kHz / 7.5 kHz | 96 dB | Middle tonal range: 40 dB | 20–40 ms | |
| Piccolo flute | D² (587 Hz) / C⁵ (4186 Hz) | 10 kHz / 15 kHz | 102 dB | 20–60 ms | ||
| Flute | C¹ (262 Hz) / C⁴ (2093 Hz) | 6 kHz / 15 kHz | 96 dB | 35 dB | 20-60 ms; Low register: Up to 180 ms | |
| Oboe | C¹ (262 Hz) / D³ (1175 Hz) | 15 kHz / 15 kHz | 90 dB | 30 dB | 20–60 ms; Low register: Up to 120 ms | |
| Clarinet | D (147 Hz) / E³ (1319 Hz) | 10 kHz / 15 kHz | 92 dB | 50 dB | 20–60 ms | |
| Bassoon | Bb (58.3 Hz) / C² (523 Hz) | 8 kHz / 12 kHz | 90 dB | 35 dB | 20–60 ms | |
| Contra bassoon | Bb₂ (29.2 Hz) / C¹ (262 Hz) | 92 dB | 20-60 ms | |||
| Soprano sax | Ab (208 Hz) / Eb³ (1245 Hz) | 12 kHz / 16 kHz | 98 dB | 20–60 ms | ||
| Alto sax | Db (139 Hz) / Ab² (831 Hz) | 98 dB | At the center of the bell piece up to 130 dB | 20–60 ms | ||
| Tenor sax | Ab (104 Hz) / Eb² (622 Hz) | 98 dB | At the center of the bell piece up to 130 dB | 25 dB | 20–60 ms | |
| Baritone sax | Db (69.4 Hz) / Ab¹ (415 Hz) | 98 dB | 20–60 ms | |||
| Bass sax | Ab₁ (51.9 Hz) / Db¹ (278 Hz) | 96 dB | 20–60 ms | |||
| Acoustic guitar (nylon strings) | E (82.4 Hz) / C³ (1047 Hz) | 88 dB | 20-60 ms | |||
| Acoustic guitar (steel strings) | E (82.4 Hz) / C³ (1047 Hz) | 92 dB | 20–60 ms | |||
| Grand piano | A₂ (27.5 Hz) / C⁵ (4186 Hz) | Lid in 45° position: 100 dB | 20–60 ms | |||
| Timpani ø80 cm | Eb (77.8 Hz) – G (98 Hz) | 60 Hz – 200 Hz | 110 dB | 10-18 ms | ||
| Timpani ø75 cm | F (87.3 Hz) – C (131 Hz) | 60 Hz – 200 Hz | 110 dB | 10-18 ms | ||
| Timpani ø65 cm | A (110 Hz) – F (175 Hz) | 60 Hz – 200 Hz | 110 dB | 10-18 ms | ||
| Timpani ø60 cm | C (131 Hz) – Ab (208 Hz) | 60 Hz – 200 Hz | 110 dB | 10-18 ms | ||
| Kick (bass) drum | 50 Hz – 400 Hz | 115 dB | With pedal, 20 cm from drumhead: 120–128 dB | 80 dB | 8-12 ms | |
| Snare drum | 80 Hz – 4 kHz | 108 dB | 55 dB | 5-8 ms | ||
| Cymbal | 100 Hz – 5 kHz | 105 dB | 65 dB | 2-4 ms | ||
| Triangle | 2 kHz – 12 kHz |