Pink noise is a class of random signals characterized by a power spectral density that decreases at 3 dB per octave (proportional to 1/frequency), meaning each octave band carries equal acoustic energy. This spectral shape makes pink noise perceptually uniform to human hearing across the audible spectrum. Computed by applying a 1/f filter to white noise or generated via filtered white noise methods. Used in audio system calibration, acoustic measurement, psychoacoustic research, and music production. [formal: rosula | substrate: mind | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
pink-noise
Pink noise is a class of random signals characterized by a power spectral density that decreases at 3 dB per octave (proportional to 1/frequency), meaning each octave band carries equal acoustic energy. This spectral shape makes pink noise…
Definition
Why it is in scope
a human-defined spectral shape concept: a random signal whose power spectral density is inversely proportional to frequency (1/f noise), such that each octave carries equal energy. Built to persist through standardized testing protocols in audio engineering, acoustics, and music production.
Names and aliases
- pink-noiseen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmss1lsvp00wwh7yuy4g253koDERIVED_FROM →
Pink noise is derived from white noise by applying a 1/f spectral filter — white noise existed as a concept first and fed into the development of pink noise as its spectral-shaped descendant. Which came first: white noise (uniform spectrum) predates pink noise (1/f spectrum) in the history of noise classification.
- cmrgqx9dq000qyvn12ehpanjuINSTANCE_OF →
Pink noise is a specific kind of noise: a random signal with a particular spectral shape (1/f power spectral density). A competent speaker would call pink noise 'a noise.' Nearest kind is noise.
- cmsq6qnfg07uijlss4wzxq5naDERIVED_FROM →
Pink noise is defined by its 1/f power spectral density. The PSD concept predates and enables the definition of pink noise. Per Law 7: PSD existed first and fed into noise classification.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 14, 2026, 5:40 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 20e0f875d3289e40c66b05ada5a871025c96ff7496ae133da8c51c0458b68f6f