converter
What is a converter and what is it used for?
To digitize audio signals in audio engineering, we first need a converter. In the case of digital converters, there is the A/D converter (A = analogue, D = digital), which generates digital signals (binary numbers) from an analogue oscillation (wave). These digital audio signals can now be saved, copied, modified, shaped into effects and, above all, converted back into analog vibrations. There is also the D/A converter. The analog vibrations can now be amplified again and converted into sound waves via a loudspeaker, headphones or other medium.
What does the converter do in digital audio systems?
A converter with processor can be found e.g. B. in a smartphone, car radio, in the home system or in an effect device. The principle is always the same. But there are also independent converters. These come in different qualities and should be at least 16-bit quality. Better converters work with 18 and even 20 or 24 bits. These bit numbers say something about the number of digits of the binary numbers with which the converter calculates. This means that the higher the number of bits, the more numbers are processed and the dynamics of the recording become greater. The number of bits that are so important to the dynamics is called resolution. Not to be confused with the sample rate. The first samplers worked with a low resolution of 8 bits. The advent of the CD established 16-bit processing. In the age of streaming and streaming services the resolutions are even converted in 24 bits as standard. However, the majority of all digital systems today work with 24 bits. With AV/D and D/A converters, it can be a bit more! We have all had to deal with digital devices, e.g. with a digital alarm clock or a computer, smartphone or Bluetooth speaker. We also know that all digital microprocessors are basically "calculators" that work with numbers (binary numbers).