Audio: triangle wave (0:02)
triangle wave plays a triangle wave. The triangle wave figure shows that its waveform is shaped like a triangle.
A triangle wave consists of a harmonic series of odd-numbered partials. The amplitude of each partial is inversely proportional to the square of its number.
The fundamental in triangle wave has a frequency of 100Hz, the second partial has a frequency of 300Hz and its amplitude is one ninth of the fundamental, the third partial has a frequency of 500Hz and an amplitude of 1/25 the fundamental, and so on.
A triangle wave has a much gentler and softer sound than a saw wave because the amplitude of the partials falls off sharply.
A triangle wave synth instrument is used to write melody and harmony. It produces a light sound which some say resembles that of a flute.
A triangle wave is a good source for producing gentle sound effects with a liquid bubbly sound.
