A potentially gentle introduction to the Fourier Transform and it’s applications in audio processing. This talk offers an accessible overview for and applications of the Fourier transform and its derivatives: the Fourier Series, Discrete Time Fourier Transform, and the FFT.

The following topics will be covered:

• The biological basis for how frequency and time are perceived


• A manual calculation of the Fourier Series for a square wave and analysis of its components


• The time–frequency uncertainty principle


• Combining signals: multiplication and convolution


• The impulse and its response.


• Applications, including filtering, modulation and information compression.


• Measuring frequency spectra of signals at the library.


  ~~~Some calculus and trigonometry will be shown, but math skills are not required to get intuition and delight!~~~

  
  Saturday, July 18th, 2026
  1 pm - 4 pm
  Location: Synth Library Portland
  Our new location in the Eastside Exchange building:
  123 NE 3rd Ave, Suite 012
  Entrance is on the 2nd ave side
  Free parking from 1-5 on Saturdays but you must follow procedure (info and kiosk code inside) and display ticket from the kiosk on dash during time parked

Tickets are required to attend.
$10-20 Sliding Scale

No one turned away for lack of funds - email info@synthlibraryportland.org for low/no cost tickets if needed.