Äänisignaali

Äänisignaali refers to the representation of sound as an electrical signal. Sound waves are physical vibrations that travel through a medium, such as air. When these vibrations reach a microphone, a transducer converts them into an electrical voltage that fluctuates in a manner analogous to the original sound wave. This electrical signal is the äänisignaali.

Äänisignaalit can be analog or digital. An analog äänisignaali is a continuous electrical signal whose voltage directly corresponds to the sound pressure over time. This is how signals are typically generated by microphones and processed by traditional audio equipment. In contrast, a digital äänisignaali is a discrete representation of the sound wave. It is created by sampling the analog signal at regular intervals and quantizing each sample to a specific numerical value. This digital format is essential for storage, transmission, and manipulation of audio in modern electronic devices and computer systems.

The characteristics of an äänisignaali, such as its amplitude, frequency, and phase, determine the perceived properties of the sound, including its loudness, pitch, and timbre. Audio processing techniques, such as amplification, equalization, and effects, manipulate these characteristics to alter the äänisignaali. The fidelity of an äänisignaali is a measure of how accurately it represents the original sound.