Acoustic emission was detected during compaction of three different pharmaceutical materials: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose and maize starch varying compressive forces between 0 and 60 kN. Acoustic emission signals were recorded on magnetic tape with a microphone and transformed to frequency spectra by using FFT-analysis. After rough identification of frequency components each spectrum was divided into three bands. By using integrated band powers the acoustic activity on these bands could be compared quantitatively. Many frequency peaks were observed, too, and many of them could be identified.