Audio Post 2: Introduction to Audio Tools and Theory

Posted by bsteel on
Monday, March 3rd, 2008 at 3:30 am

Welcome to my post on basic audio tools and theory. Keep in mind introduction to audio in media is a year-long course. In this post, you will learn some rudimentary audio theory and some tools to help you begin the editing audio process. In order to accommodate the blog format, I have broken this post down into four separate posts (see Audio Posts 2 through 5).

Continue reading if you dare… I will attempt to discuss three tools Equalization, Filters and Compression in relation to audio theory. If these tools are used correctly, they will enhance our audio content significantly.

First we begin with some definitions:

Decibel or dB = a unit of measurement for ratios of sound level, power, voltage, etc.

Hertz or Hz = indicates frequency in cycles per sec. Thus, 100 Hz means 100 sound wave cycles per second.

Kilohertz or kHz = indicates the term for frequency representing 1000 cycles per second. Thus, 5 kHz is 5000 sound wave cycles per second.

An important side note the average human ear can only hear between 20Hz on the low end of the frequency spectrum and 20 kHz on the high end of the frequency spectrum.