Signals that are out of phase will cancel one another according to the difference in phase in degree. A transducer (speaker or microphone) wired out of phase with another will result in reduced output from both; instead of their combined outputs adding, they will subtract due to phase cancellation.
This phenomenon is also known as phase interference, which occurs at certain frequencies when direct and delayed signals are of equal level and opposite polarity; thus causing the signals to cancel each other out. This phenomenon can occur when two microphones pick up the same source at different distances through reflection.
Undesirable dips and peaks in frequency response caused by mixing the outputs of two microphones which are picking up the same sound but with different arrival times. For example, this can occur when two microphones are placed near each other, but still with space between them; or when wireless microphone users stand next to each other. Also referred to as acoustic phase interference. See also "3:1 Rule".
The complete cancellation of audio that occurs when two signals are 180 degrees out of phase.
Audio signals are complex phenomena expressed mathematically as phasors, or vectors. When two signals have the same exact time relationship to each other, they are said to be "in-phase;" if they do not, they are said to be "out-of-phase." If the energy of two out-of-phase signals are combined, they will, in fact, subtract from one another. This is called phase cancellation.
Interference resulting in reduced audio levels caused by a sound source being picked by two microphones.
an attenuation of signal components resulting from combining out-of-phase waveforms. When two waveforms are mixed, their harmonics are added. If the signals are out-of-phase with each other, the amplitudes of the harmonic components differ at various times (as determined by the phase relationship). If the added harmonics have the same polarity, then the signal is reinforced at those frequencies. If harmonics with positive values are added to harmonics with negative values, then the signal is attenuated (canceled) at those frequencies.
In physics, phase cancellation is the effect of summing two waves that are out of phase with each other. Since the waves are not in phase, the crests and troughs will not match up, and the end result could be a wave that has less overall amplitude than both of the original waves.
