SOUND

Now’s a good time—so good, so good, so good—to dig into the rich history of “Sweet Caroline.”

Unraveling the Many Mysteries of Neil Diamond’s ’Sweet Caroline’

Now’s a good time—so good, so good, so good—to dig into the rich history of Neil Diamond's iconic tune.

Why Do Dogs Howl at Sirens?

Don't worry: It's not because sirens hurt dogs’ sensitive ears.

‘Do, Re, Mi’ can help people learn to play the piano.

Why Are the First Notes of a Tonal Scale Called ‘Do, Re, Mi’?

Solmization, or the practice of assigning syllables to the different “steps” of the scale, originated in ancient India.

T-Glottalization: The Reason Some People Drop Their ‘T’s When Speaking

Dropping that ‘t’ sound is an example of what linguists call glottalization, or replacing a sound with a pause in the vocal cords.

People often mistake a red fox’s bark for the sound of a person screaming.

11 Animals that Make Terrifying Sounds

Red foxes, barn owls, and American alligators are just a few beasts that make scary sounds.

The Real Story Behind the Iconic ’Friday the 13th’ Whisper Sound Effect

Whether you think it's saying "chi chi chi, ha ha ha" or "ki ki ki, ma ma ma," you know the one we're talking about.

These Prime Day deals that won't stick around for long.

The 22 Best Overall October Prime Day 2023 Deals to Shop Now From iRobot, Sony, Breville, and More

Discover the overall best Prime Day deals from top brands like iRobot, Apple, Sony, and others with this October Prime Day 2023 roundup.

Still from 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' (1951) beside illustration of a theremin.

Audio Invasion: How the Theremin Went From Soviet Labs to Hollywood

The theremin—a spooky instrument that scored the biggest sci-fi films of the 1950s—was invented by accident.

‘Sound Effects No. 13 – Death & Horror’ is downright spooky.

Death & Horror: How BBC’s Controversial Sound Effects Album Became a Surprise Hit

The campaign to ban “Sound Effects No. 13 – Death & Horror” didn’t stop it from becoming the first sound effects album to break the UK Top 100 charts in the 1970s.

Why Do Cats Respond to “Pspsps”?

Cats and “Pspsps” go together like toddlers and the crinkling wrapper of a candy bar that you were trying to eat in secret. What gives?

What Is Vocal Fry?

Vocal fry describes a specific sound quality caused by the movement of the vocal folds—and it’s nothing new.

11 Sounds Today’s Kids Have Probably Never Heard

Who knew that certain noises would eventually become as extinct as the dodo or the flash cube some day?

Yes, that really is what you sound like.

Here’s How to Tell What Your Voice Actually Sounds Like, Sans Recorder

A vocal coach explains how to hear what your voice really sounds like when you talk and sing.

What Is the Wilhelm Scream?

The Wilhelm Scream sound effect has been heard in everything from 'Star Wars' to 'Avatar.' But why do so many filmmakers use it?

Pink Trombone is an simulator that simulates how speech is made.

Play With An Odd Voice Simulator That Mimics How Your Mouth Creates Sound

How many sounds can you figure out how to make?

What’s on Alexander Graham Bell’s Early Audio Recordings? The Mystery Might Finally Be Solved

Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone helped fund his future experiments—some of which have proven tough to decipher.

Bubble curtains have the power to decrease underwater noise.

Human Noise Harms the Ocean’s Biggest Creatures. Tiny Bubbles Could Help Protect Them.

While individual bubbles are fragile things, walls of them can muffle a major source of loud ocean noise.

Catch some quality shut-eye with this budget-friendly device.

Rest Easy With This 4.6-Star-Rated White Noise Machine That’s on Sale for $18

The 4.6-star-rated HoMedics white noise sound machine is on sale on Amazon for a limited time.

What Makes Swear Words So $#%+@&! Offensive? Scientists Have Found a Clue

Scientists found a key trait that makes words sound profane in multiple languages.

How to Use a Cricket’s Chirps as Nature’s Thermometer

The frequency of cricket chirps rises with the heat, and you can use them to estimate the temperature wherever you are—no thermometer needed.

What's the Difference Between a Sound and a Noise?

'Noise' and 'sound' are often used interchangeably—even when they shouldn't be.

A top-rated soundbar for under $70? Yes, please.

This Top-Rated Soundbar Is "Definitely a Steal," and It's on Sale Right Now

Give your home theater the upgrade it deserves with the Bestisan soundbar and save more in the process.

Apple’s New AirPods Pro Are on Sale for Their Lowest Price Ever—Here’s Where To Get Them Before Black Friday

This early Black Friday deal on the new Apple AirPods Pro with a MagSafe charging case is one of the best bargains to shop for on Amazon right now.

Save Up to 50 Percent on Noise-Canceling Headphones During JBL’s Holiday Kick-Off Sale

At JBL’s Holiday Kick-Off Sale, you can save up to 50 percent on in-ear, over-ear, and gaming headphones.