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Audio signal processing, sometimes referred to as audio processing, is the processing of a representation of auditory signals, or sound. The representation can be digital or analog.

The focus in audio signal processing is most typically a mathematical analysis of which parts of the signal are audible. For example, a signal can be modified for different purposes such that the modification is controlled in the auditory domain.

The parts of the signal are heard and which are not, is not decided merely by physiology of the human hearing system, but very much by psychological properties. These properties are analysed within the field of psychoacoustics.

Audio processing was necessary for early radio broadcasting -- as there were many problems with studio to transmitter links.

An analog representation is usually electrical; a voltage level represents the air pressure waveform of the sound.

A digital representation expresses the pressure wave-form as a sequence of symbols, usually binary numbers, which permits digital signal processing. It must be noted that all real world audio signals are continuous-time and continuous-level analog signals. However, as the frequency range of audio sound sources is limited by physical effects and human ears cannot perceive frequencies below approx. 20 Hz and above approx. 18 kHz (strongly depends on the age of the listener) there is no significant loss of information when the analog signal is sampled using a high appropriate sampling rate (see: sampling). In addition, the dynamic range of audio signals is limited by Noise (sound). More than 130 dB Signal-to-noise ratio is almost impossible to achieve. Therefore, quantization also does not result in significant loss of information either, if done appropriately. Both, sampling and quantization must be applied to convert the continuous-time analog signal to a discrete-time digital representation. Although such a conversion is more or less lossy, most modern audio systems use this approach as the techniques of digital signal processing are much more powerful and efficient than analog domain signal processing.

Processing methods and application areas include storage, level compression, data compression, transmission, enhancement (e.g., equalization, filtering, noise cancellation, echo or reverb removal or addition, etc.)

Audio broadcasting (be it for television or audio broadcasting) is perhaps the biggest market segment (and user area) for audio processing products -- globally.

Traditionally the most important audio processing (in audio broadcasting) takes place just before the transmitter. Studio audio processing is limited in the modern era due to digital audio systems (mixers, routers) being pervasive in the studio.

In audio broadcasting, the audio processor must

• prevent overmodulation, and minimize it when it occurs
• maximize overall loudness
• compensate for non-linear transmitters, more common with medium wave and shortwave broadcasting

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