Pitch of Periodic Pulses

An exploratory experiment is described in which subjects adjusted the frequency of one periodic pulse‐train to match the pitch of a different train. The stimuli consisted of four combinations of plus and minus pulses per fundamental period: (a) +; (b) +, −; (c) +, +, −, −; (d) +, +, −, +, −, −. The pulses were of equal amplitude and 0.1 msec duration. The interpulse interval was always an integral divisor of the fundamental period. Listening was accomplished in quiet, at a sensation level of approximately 45 db, with headphones connected binaurally in phase. For low fundamental frequencies where the interpulse interval is greater than six msec, the pitch match is made to equate the number of pulses per second, regardless of pulse polarity. At high fundamental frequencies where the interpulse interval is less than 1 msec, the fundamental frequencies are equated. The matches for interpulse intervals between 1 and 6 msec may be difficult and uncertain, and depend upon the configurations of pulse trains. The ...