What is Sampling?
When sound enters a microphone, it produces a continuously varying electrical signal (the blue wave below). To store this digitally, the ADC takes measurements at regular intervals — each measurement is called a sample. Use the slider to change how many samples are taken.
Analogue signal (continuous)
Sample points (discrete)
4 samples80 samples
What You're Seeing
The ADC is taking 20 samples across this wave, giving 6.7 samples per cycle. The basic shape is captured, but the curves aren't smooth. Some detail is lost between samples.
In real audio: CD quality uses 44,100 samples per second. Professional recording uses 48,000 or 96,000. The slider above is simplified — but the principle is identical.
Key Definitions
Sampling
The process of measuring the amplitude of an analogue signal at regular intervals in time. Each measurement is called a sample.
Sample Rate
The number of samples taken per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). CD quality = 44,100 Hz. Professional = 48,000 Hz or 96,000 Hz.
ADC (Analogue-to-Digital Converter)
A device that converts a continuously varying analogue electrical signal into a stream of binary numerical data by sampling and quantising the signal.
Analogue Signal
A continuously varying electrical signal whose voltage is proportional to the original sound wave. Produced by microphones.
Digital Signal
A signal represented as a series of discrete binary numbers, each encoding the amplitude of the sound at a specific moment in time.