In "Art of Noises,” Luigi Russolo categorizes noises by timbre / quality of sound (intensity + duration + texture)

6 categories of sound:

roars: sounds that are low-pitched and have a rumbling quality. Ex: thunder, a lion

whistles: high-pitched and piercing, ex: a steam whistle or a bird's call

whispers: soft, breathy sounds ex: a human whisper, the rustling of leaves.

groans: mid-range and have a moaning quality, ex: sound of a creaky door or a person in pain.

screeches: high-pitched and abrasive ex: screeching of brakes, sound of fingernails on a chalkboard

thuds: low-pitched and percussive sounds like the sound of a heavy object being dropped or a heartbeat.