What device is commonly used to create spectrograms for measuring speech?

The spectrograph is a specialized device designed for creating visual representations of sound by producing spectrograms. These spectrograms display how the frequency spectrum of a signal varies with time, which is particularly useful for analyzing the characteristics of speech. The spectrograph converts sound waves into a visual format, allowing researchers and clinicians to observe details such as the different frequencies, amplitudes, and durations of speech sounds.

In the context of measuring speech, the spectrograph provides critical data that can be utilized for various analyses, such as examining speech patterns, identifying phonetic elements, and assessing voice quality. This capability makes it an essential tool in speech science and research.

Other devices like oscilloscopes and frequency analyzers serve different functions. An oscilloscope primarily visualizes waveforms over time but does not provide the frequency detail necessary for speech analysis. A frequency analyzer measures the amplitude of various frequencies present in a sound, yet it does not create the time-frequency representation that a spectrogram offers. Amplifiers are used to increase the strength of audio signals but do not produce visual representations of sound. Therefore, the spectrograph is uniquely suited to the task of creating detailed spectrograms for speech measurement.