The different types of noise and their colors
Colors are attributed to some types of noise, according to their characteristics. For instance, how a type of noise behaves in a frequency spectrum. An example you might be familiar with is white noise—the kind that can be heard from a radio that's not tuned into a station.
In this gallery, we explain what noise is, the different types of noise one might encounter, and their respective colors. Click on to learn all about it.
The difference between sound and noise
Sound and noise are two different things. Noise can be characterized as a specific type of sound: a disruptive, undesirable one.
Types of noise: low-frequency noise
There are different categories of noise, and one of them is known as low-frequency noise. It’s safe to say we’re all exposed to this type of noise, which can be anything in the background, like a generator or other machines rumbling at a distance.
Types of noise: intermittent noise
Intermittent noise is characterized by fluctuations in intensity. Examples include cars accelerating and a train or a plane passing by.
Noise colors
Noise colors are terms used in physics, electronics, and audio engineering. They have also been popularized in the health and well-being world.
The colors are associated with specific sound frequency bands. A frequency is essentially how quickly a sound wave vibrates.
White noise
Of a continuous nature, white noise resembles the sound of a radio when it’s not tuned into a radio station, the hiss of an old television, or simply the sound of static.
Pink noise
Unlike white noise, which has a flat response per frequency, pink noise decreases in power as the frequency increases.
Examples of pink noise include the wind, ocean waves, leaves rustling, and heartbeat rhythms.
Brown noise
This noise has been described as “random walk noise” or “random telegraph signal (RTS)” noise. It’s also associated with things such as thunder.
Blue noise
Blue noise can be described as having a hissing element to it. Sounds such as rainfall or rushing water are often associated with blue noise.
Violet noise
Violet noise can be very high-pitched, and like blue noise, characterized by a high-frequency hiss.
Gray noise
Gray noise is rather pleasant to humans, in comparison to other noises.
Green noise
Sounds of ocean waves, water streams, and waterfalls have been associated with it.
Black noise
And last, but not least, we have black noise, best known as the sound of silence. The human ear can’t hear such low-frequency sounds.
