Describe how an analogue sound is converted into a digital recording.

Analogue and digital data, how sound is sampled, sampling rate and sample resolution and their effect on quality, the file size formula, and worked sound file calculations.

What you need to know

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Key term

Why must sound be converted before a computer can store it?

Key term

What is the difference between analogue and digital data?

Key term

What is a sample, in digital sound?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Why must sound be converted before a computer can store it?
Model answer
Sound is an analogue wave that changes continuously. A computer can only store digital data, so the wave must be turned into binary.
2
What is the difference between analogue and digital data?
Model answer
Analogue data can take any value and varies smoothly. Digital data is made of separate values that are stored as binary numbers.
3
What is a sample, in digital sound?
Model answer
A sample is a measurement of the amplitude of a sound wave at one point in time.
4
Describe how an analogue sound is converted into a digital recording.
Model answer
The amplitude of the sound wave is measured at regular time intervals. Each measurement is stored as a binary number.
5
What is the sampling rate of a sound recording?
Model answer
Sampling rate is the number of samples taken each second. Sampling rate is measured in hertz.
6
What does a sampling rate of 44,100 Hz mean?
Model answer
The sound is measured 44,100 times every second. One hertz means one sample per second.

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