
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:
-
Recording: A microphone captures sound waves.
-
Sampling: The sound waves are measured many times per second (samples).
-
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.