Essential Audio Theory

This chapter outlines why an understanding of some audio theory is necessary to develop an efficient mixing process. The physics of sound are introduced and amplitude and frequency concepts related to sound, audio equipment, and mixing are discussed. Common units and scales are introduced, and how to interpret them numerically and on graphs is explained. Amplitude relationships are presented, so that the reader can equate numbers with aural results. Desirable and undesirable characteristics related to amplitude are discussed. Concepts of digital audio are explored, so that the reader can understand the difference between lower and higher-resolution audio systems. The realities of digital audio and processing, and real-time and non-real-time processing, are discussed. Digital and analogue signal levels essential to the recording and mixing process are also explained.