Equal Loudness Contour – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Audio Terms Glossary

What are Equal Loudness Contours? Equal Loudness Contours, also known as Fletcher-Munson curves, are a set of curves that represent the human ear’s sensitivity to different frequencies at various sound pressure levels. These contours illustrate how our perception of loudness changes with frequency and intensity. The curves show that our ears are more sensitive to … Read more

Directionality – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Audio Terms Glossary

What is Directionality in Audio? Directionality in audio refers to the ability of a microphone to pick up sound from a specific direction while minimizing background noise and unwanted sounds from other directions. This characteristic is crucial in audio recording and live sound reinforcement as it allows the user to focus on capturing the desired … Read more

Acoustic Noise – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Audio Terms Glossary

What is Acoustic Noise? Acoustic noise refers to unwanted sound that can interfere with the clarity and quality of audio signals. It is typically characterized by its random and unpredictable nature, making it difficult to control and eliminate. Acoustic noise can be caused by a variety of factors, including environmental conditions, equipment malfunctions, and electromagnetic … Read more

Sound Transmission Class (STC) – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Audio Terms Glossary

What is Sound Transmission Class (STC)? Sound Transmission Class (STC) is a numerical rating used to measure how well a building material or assembly can reduce the transmission of airborne sound from one side of a partition to the other. In simpler terms, STC is a way to quantify how effective a material is at … Read more

Overtones – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Audio Terms Glossary

What are overtones? Overtones are higher frequency vibrations that occur simultaneously with the fundamental frequency of a sound. When a musical instrument or vocal cord produces a sound, it is not just a single frequency that is being emitted. Instead, a complex series of frequencies are produced, with the lowest frequency being the fundamental tone … Read more

Acoustic Radiation – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Audio Terms Glossary

What is Acoustic Radiation? Acoustic radiation refers to the process by which sound waves are emitted from a vibrating source into the surrounding medium, typically air. When an object vibrates, it creates pressure variations in the air, which propagate as sound waves. These sound waves carry energy and information from the source to the receiver, … Read more