In ring modulation, two signals (the carrier and modulator) are multiplied together, creating two new frequencies: the sum and difference of the input frequencies. This is distinct from amplitude modulation, where the amplitude of one signal controls the amplitude of another.
For example:
• Carrier frequency: 400 Hz
• Modulator frequency: 100 Hz
The result will be two sidebands:
• 400 + 100 = 500 Hz
• 400 – 100 = 300 Hz
These are the sidebands, and in traditional ring modulation, they are the primary new frequencies created. Importantly, the original carrier and modulator signals are suppressed, meaning you only hear the newly generated sidebands.
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