Music and Computers

Hearing a Binary Counter

Each of the bits in a binary number has been assigned to a different note. When the binary number is incremented or decremented, we play a note for each bit that is one.

To Do:

  1. Hit the +1 button.
  2. Notice bit 0 becomes one so that the decimal number is one.
  3. Hear the lowest frequency corresponding to bit 0. (You may not be able to hear the lowest note if you are listening to the speakers on a laptop computer. Try using headphones or external speakers.)
  4. Hit +1 again.
  5. Notice bit 1 becomes one so that the decimal number is two.
  6. Hear the next lowest frequency corresponding to bit 1.
  7. Hit +1 again.
  8. Notice bit 0 and 1 are both one so that the decimal number is two+one=three.
  9. Check the "autoCount" box and watch it count.