CEA Signal Processing & Electronics Flashcards

What does a compressor's 'attack time' control in audio signal processing?

Answer: How quickly gain reduction begins after the signal exceeds the threshold

Attack time determines how rapidly the compressor responds and begins reducing gain once the input signal surpasses the set threshold.

In a balanced audio circuit, what is the primary benefit of using a differential amplifier at the input?

Answer: Rejects common-mode noise picked up along the cable

A differential amplifier amplifies the difference between the two conductors while canceling identical (common-mode) noise present on both, which is the core principle of balanced audio.

What is the purpose of dithering when reducing bit depth in digital audio?

Answer: To add low-level noise that masks quantization distortion

Dithering adds a carefully shaped low-level noise signal before truncating bit depth, which randomizes quantization errors and prevents audible harmonic distortion.

Which filter type passes frequencies below its cutoff point while attenuating higher frequencies?

Answer: Low-pass filter

A low-pass filter allows low frequencies to pass through while progressively reducing the amplitude of frequencies above the cutoff frequency.

What does 'Total Harmonic Distortion' (THD) measure in audio electronics?

Answer: The level of unwanted harmonic frequencies generated relative to the fundamental

THD expresses the combined amplitude of all harmonic distortion products as a percentage of the original fundamental signal level.

In audio, what does a limiter's 'brick wall' setting refer to?

Answer: A very high compression ratio (typically 10:1 or greater) that prevents signals from exceeding a set ceiling

A brick wall limiter applies an extreme compression ratio so that the output signal cannot exceed the threshold ceiling regardless of input level.