Audio Processing

Audio processing, sometimes called “processing sounds,” means changing the characteristics of an audio signal. One can use this strategy to create new sounds, improve audio, fix sound issues, and separate audio sources. In addition, it is a means to compress, store, and transmit audio information. The most common types include equalization, compression, expansion, limiting, reverb, chorus, flanging, and phasing.

Audio Processing: the Goal

The main goal of audio processing is to keep signals flowing freely as they maintain an organic sound. There are several effects that help out with the process. These usually originate from overdriving preamps, as well as from the saturation of tubes.

Typed of Audio Processing

Firstly, equalization operates by boosting or cutting the gain of specific audio frequencies. It’s essential for the user to choose the accurate equalizer for a particular mix. Modulation involves a wide variety of effects where a source signal affects another signal. Audiences usually perceive delayed sounds as subtle echoes or repetitions when the delay time reaches a certain point. 

Secondly, compression is the process of lessening the dynamic range between the loudest and quietest parts of an audio signal. It does so by boosting the quieter signals and attenuating the louder ones. Thirdly, expansion is the process through which the dynamic range of an audio signal increases. Expanders make quiet sounds quieter by reducing the level of an audio signal that falls below a set threshold level.

Fourthly, limiting is a process through which you limit the level of an audio signal. In fifth place, reverb emerges when a sound is reflected, which in turn causes other reflections to build up. Moreover, in sixth place, the chorus effect comes to live when two identical signals combine, while one of them detunes. The chorus effect offers a sense of motion and depth of sounds. To continue this list, the flanger effect is a delay-based effect that constantly varies the delay time. In eight place, the phaser effect passes a sound signal through evenly spaced notch filters.

Conclusion

As a final note, there are other two worth-noting techniques of audio processing. To begin with, pitch shifting is an audio recording technique in which the original pitch of a sound increases or decreases. It is responsible for adjusting vocals and other melodic lines. In addition, time stretching is the process of changing the speed or length of an audio signal without affecting its pitch. This last one has gained popularity in the creation of commercial spots.