Digital Audio Editing Flashcards

What is the purpose of a 'noise gate' in audio processing?

Answer: To mute or attenuate audio that falls below a set threshold

A noise gate silences audio below a defined threshold level, effectively reducing background noise or bleed between musical phrases.

What does 'stereo width' control in an audio mix?

Answer: How spread out or narrow the stereo image of a signal appears

Stereo width processing adjusts the perceived spread of audio between the left and right channels, making a mix feel wider or more mono-compatible.

Which file format stores audio without any data compression?

Answer: WAV

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) stores uncompressed PCM audio data, making it lossless and preferred in professional audio production.

What is 'automation' in a DAW used for?

Answer: Recording changes to parameters like volume or effects over time

Automation records parameter movements—such as fader rides or plugin knob changes—so they play back exactly the same way every time.

What does 'phase cancellation' occur when in audio?

Answer: Two similar signals are combined and their waveforms partially or fully cancel each other out

Phase cancellation happens when two audio signals with similar content are out of phase with each other, causing certain frequencies to reduce or disappear when summed.

In mastering, what is the primary function of a 'limiter'?

Answer: To prevent the output signal from exceeding a set ceiling level

A limiter acts as an extreme compressor with a high ratio, preventing any signal from exceeding its ceiling to avoid digital clipping while maximizing perceived loudness.

What is a 'send' (or auxiliary send) used for in a DAW mixer?

Answer: Routing a copy of a track's signal to an effects bus or return track

An aux send routes a parallel copy of the track signal to a shared effects bus, allowing multiple tracks to share one reverb or delay while keeping the original signal intact.