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Sample rate determines digital audio bandwidth: the system can represent frequencies up to half the sample rate

Concept L1Foundations D · Mixing, mastering & loudness

The Nyquist theorem states that a digital system can accurately represent frequencies up to half the sample rate. Therefore 44.1 kHz captures up to ~22 kHz (adequate for human hearing to 20 kHz), while 96 kHz captures up to 48 kHz and 192 kHz up to 96 kHz. Higher sample rates give a better representation of the waveform. CDs use the 44.1 kHz standard.

Examples

A 44.1 kHz/16-bit session archived at 96/24 before downconverting to CD retains more information for later remastering and a better-sounding lower-resolution delivery.

Assessment

If the human ear hears up to 20 kHz, what minimum sample rate is required and why?

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Sources

“44,100 times a second (or 44.1 kHz), which, thanks to a law of digital audio called the Nyquist Theorem, yields a maximum audio bandwidth of about 22 kHz”

corpus · bobby-owsinski-the-mastering-engineer-s-handbook-direct-down · chunk 10

Taught in modules

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Inter-sample clipping can occur when the reconstructed waveform exceeds 0 dBFS between sample points even if no individual sample clips