Questions tagged [audio]

For questions related to the software and hardware of recorded-sound processing and reproduction. Best used in conjunction with a tag more specific to the question at hand.

The tag may be used for any question regarding the processing or reproduction of recorded sound. It is intended as a broad subject tag and is best used in conjunction with other related tags more specific to the question. Such tags include , , , , , and many other possibilities.

The tag should not be used for questions regarding sound production by voice or instruments. There are and instrument-specific tags for those questions. It may, however be used for questions regarding the mechanical and electronic processes involved in recording and reproducing such sounds.

135 questions
23
votes
7 answers

What is the difference between increasing volume and increasing gain?

Out of experience, I found that recording with smaller microphone gain results in less noisy audio, which later can be amplified by increasing its volume or adding a gain. My question is which one is recommended in music production to make music…
Mehdi Haghgoo
  • 381
  • 1
  • 2
  • 8
14
votes
5 answers

How can some USB 2.0 audio interfaces support phantom power through USB alone?

I'm planning to buy an audio interface and it being exclusively bus powered is a requirement. However I also use condenser mics which require phantom power. Now I'm a bit confused about why some bus-powered interfaces require additional PSU for…
Andrei Sch.
  • 241
  • 2
  • 4
13
votes
6 answers

When does audio latency matter and not matter?

When does audio latency (physical action to heard sound) matter and/or not matter? iOS touch-to-sound latency is reported to be on the order of 50 milliSeconds, yet some musicians manage to play iOS music apps without too much complaint. I've also…
hotpaw2
  • 1,783
  • 2
  • 17
  • 23
10
votes
7 answers

How to check the quality of an audio sample?

I'm new to the music scenario and EDM production. With so many options of FREE samples out there, I'm wondering how to best check the quality of a sample? Bit? Khz? Wav? Are there any software that I can use to analyse the file? If yes, what should…
OldCastle
  • 103
  • 1
  • 5
10
votes
5 answers

Mac vs PC for music production

I'm a musician and occasional composer, and a Windows PC user. I've heard a lot of times about benefits of using a Mac for these purposes. But I wonder: what are these "benefits"?
8
votes
2 answers

Duplicate instruments in unison in an orchestra

Theoretically, each addition of a sound identical to the previous one results in a 6db increase in the final sound result. I ask: is that why in some orchestrations we see, for example, 6 clarinets playing the same passage in unison, that is, just…
Rogério Dec
  • 441
  • 2
  • 10
7
votes
4 answers

how to protect music against Shazam-recognition?

During a presentation (like a quiz), I want to use some kind of music , but don't want listeners to detect them by sound-recognition programs (like Shazam or etc). Is there any plugin, media-player, equalizer effect or anything, so…
T.Todua
  • 189
  • 1
  • 1
  • 7
7
votes
3 answers

Why do people use a microphone to record an electric guitar

I'm looking to start getting into recording - electric guitar specifically. Although I've noticed people place a microphone in front of the amp's speaker. Wouldn't it be easier to use a male to male audio cable and plug that into an amp. I thought…
5
votes
5 answers

Using both outputs (internal speakers and headphones) on digital pianos

This is a common problem I had with many keyboards, and I think it's a standard, somehow: when connecting the headphones to a piano, the internal speakers are disabled. And that's cool! However, things get a little bit tricky when there is a stage…
Ionică Bizău
  • 587
  • 1
  • 5
  • 17
5
votes
3 answers

More outputs on Fireface 800

I'm a proud owner of the Fireface 800 and I'm starting to build up my first professional recording-studio - but now I need more output-channels. Does anybody know, if it's possible (and a good solution) to extend the Fireface 800 with e.g. a…
5
votes
1 answer

What is a listener's typical audible angular resolution?

According to wiki, the human eye has an angular resolution of ~1 arcminute, which means you can distinguish things that are 30 centimetres apart at a distance of 1 kilometre. But your ears have a much lower angular resolution than that. Any idea…
Brian THOMAS
  • 10,171
  • 1
  • 31
  • 65
4
votes
1 answer

Question regarding Threshold and Ratio on a Compressor

I'm currently studying compression and I have it down packed I think minus one issue. I am able to get the same gain reduction on a signal no matter how high or low my ratio is. If i want a gain reduction of lets say 5dB, I can get that gain…
SR32
  • 41
  • 2
4
votes
2 answers

Recording Digital Piano (Headphone Out to a Mono In) with an Audio Interface?

I'm trying to figure out how to record my Roland FP-30 digital piano. I have a Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen), which has only one instrument/line input (I assume it's a balanced mono input, but then again how is it different from an unbalanced…
MikeRoss
  • 43
  • 5
4
votes
2 answers

Is the audio quality of a digital piano sufficient for enjoying classical music on YouTube?

Some months ago, I have started composing piano music in mostly romantic style (somewhere between Brahms, Rachmaninoff and Albeniz for most pieces). I have recorded some of them as videos using my digital piano but so far I have just posted those…
Wolfgang
  • 157
  • 2
4
votes
5 answers

Is there any reason not to use TRS cables for typically TS applications?

First, an assumption: given what I know about tip-sleeve and tip-ring-sleeve connections, using a TRS cable between two TS jacks just yields an unused contact/conductor in the cable. Other than cost, all else being equal, is there any reason I…
JYelton
  • 390
  • 1
  • 4
  • 17
1
2 3
8 9