Course Learning Objectives #5

Demonstrate the process of digitization as it applies to text and sound, including the tradeoffs that must be considered in the process.

Course Learning Objectives #5

Digitizing Sound

Process:

  1. Recording: A microphone captures sound waves.

  2. Sampling: The sound waves are measured many times per second (samples).

  3. Quantization: Each sample is given a digital value (a number).

    • Together, these samples make a digital audio file (like MP3 or WAV).

Tradeoffs:

  • Sound quality vs. File size:
    Higher sample rates and bit depths make clearer sound but create larger files.
    Lower rates make smaller files but can lose detail or sound “flat.”

  • Compression vs. Fidelity:
    Formats like MP3 compress audio to save space but lose some sound information.