Digital Audio Editing Flashcards

What does the term 'sample rate' refer to in digital audio?

Answer: The number of audio samples recorded per second

Sample rate measures how many audio samples are captured per second, with 44,100 Hz (44.1 kHz) being the standard for CD-quality audio.

In a DAW, what is a 'region' or 'clip'?

Answer: A section of audio that has been isolated and can be moved or edited independently

A region or clip is a discrete segment of audio on a track that can be independently moved, trimmed, copied, or processed.

What is 'latency' in the context of digital audio recording?

Answer: The delay between an input signal and its output through the audio system

Latency is the time delay introduced by converting, processing, and outputting audio through digital hardware and software.

Which process removes unwanted frequencies from an audio signal using a filter?

Answer: Equalization (EQ)

Equalization allows you to boost or cut specific frequency ranges, shaping the tonal character of an audio signal.

What does a 'high-pass filter' do to an audio signal?

Answer: Allows high frequencies to pass through while attenuating low frequencies

A high-pass filter (HPF) cuts frequencies below its cutoff point, letting high frequencies pass—useful for removing rumble or low-end noise.

What is 'dithering' used for in digital audio?

Answer: Reducing quantization noise when converting to a lower bit depth

Dithering adds a tiny amount of random noise to mask the harsher quantization distortion that occurs when reducing bit depth, such as from 24-bit to 16-bit.

In audio editing, what does 'punch-in recording' allow you to do?

Answer: Record over a specific section of an existing track without affecting the rest

Punch-in recording lets you drop into record mode at a set point to replace a specific mistake while leaving the surrounding audio intact.