Assume microphone frequency range is up to 19 kHz.

Manufacturer provides frequency response graph up to 20 kHz, where this frequency is easily reached.

What will happen with the remaining 1 kHz of difference?
It disappears? Cut offs magically? Is 20 kHz an "industry standard" in terms of frequency response graphs and it's an estimation?

 

Try this:

use the tone generator utility of your DAW

select a sine wave of 100Hz / 0 db

then

switch to 1000Hz / 0 db

then 6000 Hz / 0 db

then jump at 19000/20000 Hz at 0 db

...

Still care about that frequency range?

 

Remember this sentence: everything below it is for the bat!

The frequencies in the audible range lie between 20 Hz and 20 kHz (20,000 Hz)

 

There is a decent article in Science Insights on frequency hearing by age that is not very long with link below
Between 20-30 years of age a majority apparently cannot hear much above 17KHz. It declines with age.
Honestly, most of the world other than dogs and animals that can hear extremely high frequencies will not hear what you are asking.
I found most manufacturers put out their spec sheet to show the end-user the frequency ranges their product was tested in and what it does.
1Khz as everyone has pretty much said in the 19-20Khz range you will likely never hear.

https://scienceinsights.org/what-frequencies-can-humans-hear-by-age/

 

speakers and mics have a deviation of amplitudes across the spectrum, and they have low and high ends where the amplitude finally reaches 0.

when a device is said to have "up to 19 kHz" this usually means that up to 19 kHz the deviation of the amplitude is still i within what the standard dictates for "linear up to X".

my PA for example can do 16Hz, but is officially only "linear to 50 Hz", between 50 and 16 its response curve looks a bit like a 3db filter.

while in bass speakers is often actually IS a filter, it is generally so, that is looks like a filter. well, oin fact it is not much different from your ears, too. you do not hear linear to 19,714 Hz and then 1 Hz higher nothing, it is rather a slow fall off.

 

Last edited: Jan 20, 2026 at 1:22 PM

In analogue equipment, frequencies never drop off as abruptly as in digital. They drop off very gradually, so when they say "up to 19kHz" they usually state how much lower than 0dB that is. Like "-3dB @ 19kHz". However, everything above around 15Khz is just what we call "air" - since you can't really hear it.

 

Most condenser mics record a LOT higher than what humans can hear (just record rattling a keychain at 96kHz SR or something and check your spectrum analyzer). But they (the manufacturer) mean their mic is starting to roll off in frequency, deviating from the "flat response".

If you want to specialize in high frequecies, look into (dedicated) ultrasonic mics which can capture frequencies up to 250kHz (you need to record at 384kHz sample rate or higher, which not all audio interfaces can).

 

Last edited: Jan 20, 2026 at 4:28 PM

It's interesting @canbi that you have not liked one post at the time of me writing this, but you certainly have disliked a lot.

I could not care less, but it is unusual when you are the one asking for help that there is nothing you do like, or like most normal people who ask a question, elaborated more on why you have a problem, and exactly why this 1Khz difference between 19Khz and 20Khz is so important to you?

 

The only thing 19 kHz and above is good for is: Annoying cats, dogs and other animals that can actually hear well above that range.

 

@Somnambulist: I compensated. But it is indeed curious that this person knows how to use the dislike button. And it is not only you. Being grateful for help is not one of his qualities.

 

It would be advantageous that when a member hits the dislike button the dialog window automatically opens and the dislike is only registered if there is at least one written sentence.

I dare anyone to dislike this post ...get my frequency?

 

Would be one possible solution. But in the above answers that were "disliked" I cannot see how there is an explanation possible that makes even sense for 1 percent for the dislike.
Maybe the rule should be: only after 1000 given likes you are entitled to give 1 dislike.....

 

There is always a big, big misconception regarding hearing range: HUMANS (probably no living creature) DO NOT HEAR WITH THEIR EARS. The ears is the hole in the head where soundwaves come in. Hearing is the process that the brain works on the signals. As we age, the hearing ability gets lost more or less. But with persons, who train "their ears", means: train their listening, their brain processing soundwaves, the brain equalizes hearing losses in frequency responses out. To a big degree and not only "somewhat". That is the reason why aged mixing engineers can "hear" in the 10-20kHz range. I am living prove of that, 69 years old and I can tell you: that's 3db too much at 18kHz.

I spoke some weeks ago about that with other people who do mixing, mastering, making music and podcasts, and all in my range of age and conforming this. To be sure, that I don't fool myself I use ALWAYS iZotope Tonal Balance. As I would recommend to everybody. And do not take fingerprints of one reference song, ALWAYS fingerprint whole albums. The one that you think sound the best of all time.

(Whole albums ... for the younger ones here: that is, when an artist throws together multiple songs - mostly 10 - 12 - in one package. That is called an album.)

 

In an old Native American tribe, there was a rule in the tent: someone who was telling a story had a staff; when he finished speaking, he passed the staff on, and the person with the staff then had to repeat what the previous person had said.

That's how they determined whether someone had actually listened and understood what the person before them had said.

I always get a dislike or a "funny" from my favorite forum members just because of me, even though there's nothing funny about it....

 

Last edited: Jan 21, 2026 at 6:15 PM

I hear through all my bodily openings.