Shepard Tone
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28
CORE DEFINITION
A Shepard tone, named after Roger Shepard, is a sound consisting of a superposition of sine waves separated by octaves. When played with the bass pitch of the tone moving upward or downward, it is referred to as the Shepard scale. This creates the auditory illusion of a tone that seems to continually ascend or descend in pitch, yet which ultimately gets no higher or lower.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
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A Shepard tone, named after Roger Shepard, is a sound consisting of a superposition of sine waves separated by octaves. When played with the bass pitch of the tone moving upward or downward, it is referred to as the Shepard scale. This creates the auditory illusion of a tone that seems to continually ascend or descend in pitch, yet which ultimately gets no higher or lower.
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It uses the superposition of multiple sine waves with octave phase shifts to create the auditory illusion of a continuously rising (or falling) pitch that actually loops endlessly; perception is trapped in a closed ascent.
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepard_toneverified
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