Single-tone

A 'single-tone' refers to a sound, visual, or other sensory experience characterized by a consistent, unchanging quality. It implies a lack of variation, modulation, or complexity in a specific characteristic, such as pitch, color, or texture. This uniformity can be perceived as monotonous or simple, conveying a sense of steadiness, repetition, or lack of dynamic range. The absence of change is a defining characteristic, making it distinct from sounds or visuals that incorporate multiple elements or transformations. It is often used to describe the output of an unchanging sound-generating device, a specific solid color, or a visual field without contrasting elements.

Single-tone meaning with examples

• The drone of the factory machinery was a relentless single-tone, a constant hum that permeated the entire building. Workers struggled to concentrate over the incessant noise that offered no breaks or fluctuations. The single-tone nature made the environment quite irritating, highlighting the lack of change in the factory's soundscape, making it challenging to block out.
• The artist intentionally used a single-tone palette of deep blues to create a sense of serenity and depth in the painting. The monochromatic approach resulted in a focused visual experience, avoiding any distractions of bright or contrasting colours. The deliberate use of a single-tone served to highlight the subtle variations in texture, giving the work an almost meditative quality.
• The antiquated radio emitted a single-tone beep, a simple signal that indicated the system's operation. It sounded like a continuous, unchanged signal conveying a status or presence, rather than conveying rich information. The unchanging nature and frequency stood out because of it's simplicity compared to more modern technology with diverse outputs.
• The forest background appeared through the camera viewfinder as a single-tone of green because it was so dense. Details were lost because it was impossible to see the subtle differences in shade and light between the individual leaves and branches. The absence of diverse contrast reduced the background detail, and therefore it was quite simplified.