Tools
Here are some computer programs and links to hardware that you might find helpful, or which are referenced in the forums.
Fourier: Making Waves
This program helps you understand what a waveform is, and how different frequencies, overtones and harmonics interact to produce one waveform. Designed by the physics department at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Download
Formant Synthesis Demo
For anyone who never understood formants, reading a spectrograph, or what exactly makes a vowel. This program lets you set formants by dials to see what happens. Also includes a handy vowel chart, so you can click on a vowel sound and see what formant frequencies produce that sond. Download
Sundberg's Apex "Virtual Vocal Tract"
An alternate to the above, which lets you actually see a visualization of the vocal tract while you shape it. There's no vowel chart though, so this program is best used with a chart in hand of tongue/jaw positions for different vowels. Download
If you have Windows Vista and you can't listen to Apex generated sounds, install Windows Media Player Classic, search your computer for mplayerc, and copy that file to the apex directory. Rename the file MPLAYER, and Apex will work properly.
Audacity Free Audio Editor
This audio editor is open source, which means it's free to use and distribute. It comes with features that rival many professional audio suites. Recommended for your own recordings as well as to submit recordings to this site! Download