*Timbre* is the unique combination of frequencies produced by a sound source. (The characteristic sound of a violin, or a certain person\'s voice are both made up of numerous, different frequencies--as opposed to a SIN wave which is a pure tone at a given frequency.)
Unlike loudness and pitch, which can be placed as a point along a line, timbre is more complex. It depends on:
- the relative amplitude of its harmonics (increasing the treble in a sound changes its timbre)
- onset transients: reversing sounds makes them sound different because the order of the waves hitting our ears changes (a piano played backwards doesn\'t sound like a piano anymore)
Ultimately the best results come from every piece of equipment along the line reproducing sounds in the same timbre as they were originally created. Trying to emphasize certain ranges to increase intelligibility can have a negative effect.
