Audio Engineering 101

Glossary

Analog A sound recorded and reproduced as voltage levels that change continuously over time, such as with a cassette tape, vinyl record, or analog recorder.

A/D Analog to digital. An audio interface or other A/D converter can provide an analog to digital conversion when needed. The A/D converter changes an analog signal to a digital signal.

Click Often used to establish a consistent tempo when recording basic or rhythm tracks; referred to as a metronome.

Cochlea The snail-like structure of the inner ear that detects sound pressure changes.

Comb filter An effect or acoustics issue which results in a series of very deep notches, or dips, in a sound or rooms frequency response.

Compressed The reduction of an audio signal's dynamic range ...