Audio Fundamentals Flashcards
6 cards from real Music & Audio Advice practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Audio Fundamentals flashcards as text
What is the Nyquist frequency in relation to a 48 kHz sample rate?
Answer: 24 kHz
The Nyquist frequency is exactly half the sample rate, so a 48 kHz sample rate can accurately capture frequencies up to 24 kHz.
What happens when an audio signal exceeds 0 dBFS in a digital system?
Answer: The signal clips, causing distortion
Digital clipping occurs when a signal exceeds the maximum representable value (0 dBFS), resulting in flat-topped waveforms and harsh distortion.
What is the function of a preamp in the audio signal chain?
Answer: To boost a weak signal to line level
A preamplifier raises low-level signals from microphones or instruments to standard line level for further processing or recording.
Which audio file format uses lossless compression?
Answer: FLAC
FLAC compresses audio data without discarding any information, allowing perfect reconstruction of the original waveform.
What does the term 'impedance' describe in audio equipment?
Answer: The opposition to alternating current flow in a circuit
Impedance is the total opposition a circuit presents to alternating current, measured in ohms, and proper matching is critical for optimal signal transfer.
What is phase cancellation in audio?
Answer: When two identical signals with opposite polarity combine and reduce in level
Phase cancellation occurs when two correlated signals are combined out of phase, causing their waveforms to subtract from each other and reduce overall level.