Subject: Re: effect of phase on pitch From: Bert Schouten <Bert.Schouten(at)LET.RUU.NL> Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 13:56:36 +0100Perceptual effects of phase on pitch or timbre could be epiphenomena of a mechanism needed for sound localization. We need some form of phase-locking in the auditory nerve in order to be able to compare the signals from the two ears. In natural environments the ear receives no phase information about the sound source, so pitch and timbre cannot normally be based on temporal information, but the sensitivity to temporal differences between the two ears may influence pitch or timbre whenever headphones are used or when phones are inserted into animals' ear canals. I agree, therefore, with Richard Parncutt's evaluation of the lack of relevance of phase information for pitch and timbre, but I prefer an epiphenomenal rather than a phylogenetic explanation for any residual effects. I am looking askance now at Peter Cariani, with whom I have had this argument before. Bert Bert Schouten (M.E.H.) Research Institute for Language and Speech (OTS) Utrecht University Trans 10 FC Utrecht 3512 JK Utrecht Baltimore Orioles Netherlands West Ham United phone 31 30 2536069 Philadelphia Phillies fax 31 30 2536000 HCAW