Inharmonic sounds: Implications as to << pitch >>, << timbre >> and << consonance >>

This paper relates the structure of certain types of inharmonic complex sou nds such as produced by idiophones (gongs, bells. etc.) to perceptual obser vations as well as to models of pitch and timbre perception, Since most of the current models operate in the time domain focussing on the concept of p eriodicity, it is argued that perception of pitch of inharmonic sounds, in general. is more ambiguous because (quasi-)periodicity in many such signals is more difficult to detect. Periodicity typically deteriorates with incre asing inharmonicity of spectral components while it is maximum in perfectly harmonic spectra. Thereby a clear relationship between the temporal struct ure of a signal as reflected by its time function and wave-shape, and its s pectral composition can be established that is of. relevance also as to per ception of timbre and consonance.