If we look at what comes out of our electronics it is in time domain. One value after another. Fourier transform allows us to see the frequency components of a time domain signal. It is a non-intuitive thing to get one's mind around. However difficult though, this is a fundamental concept in many areas of science including audio. So it must be understood.
I ran into this video explanation of fourier transform last night by chance (google suggested it). It tries to show the concept using 3-D animation. The output is quite neat and cool but I think it only mildly helps one understand what is going on.
Stay with the video until it gets to the last 20 to 30% and pay attention to some key concepts on how we can decompose any signal into fundamental sine waves. Odd things like using sine waves with infinite length from past into the future, creating a composite signal that is limited in time!
Hey, no one said these things are easy. As I am fond of saying, science doesn't owe us simplicity!
I ran into this video explanation of fourier transform last night by chance (google suggested it). It tries to show the concept using 3-D animation. The output is quite neat and cool but I think it only mildly helps one understand what is going on.
Stay with the video until it gets to the last 20 to 30% and pay attention to some key concepts on how we can decompose any signal into fundamental sine waves. Odd things like using sine waves with infinite length from past into the future, creating a composite signal that is limited in time!
Hey, no one said these things are easy. As I am fond of saying, science doesn't owe us simplicity!
Last edited:
Fixed the typo.
