Digital Technologies convert analog waveforms into digital (a set of 1s and 0s), then approximately converts them back to analog waveforms when they are played. This is done through an AD/DA converter.
AD/DA (Analog to Digital or Digital to Analog) converters are found in virtually every digital device now, from speakers, to laptops, to microphones. They are now vital to everyday life. Using binary (0=Off, 1=On) the computer can build a series of numbers which approximate the analog waveform. To record this we need the Amplitude (Bit Depth) and the Frequency (Sample Rate).
Bit Depth
More than 2 binary digits create a word. The more there are in the “word”, the more accurate the recording will be. For example, 24 bit would be 24 digits in a word. If the word is all 0’s, it is the lowest amplitude (no sound), and all 1’s would be the highest/loudest.
Sample Rate
Sample Rate, or Frequency, is measured per second. The computer takes a picture of the waveforms, recording there peaks and troughs, at a regular interval. This is known as the sample rate. An example of sample rate would be 48,000kHz, which would equate to 48,000 pictures taken per second.
Mono and Stereo
There are 2 kinds of audio files – mono and stereo. Mono has no perception of the surroundings, as it is only one audio track. This mean you will not get a left or right specific sound. Stereo files are made up of two mono files, one for the left ear and one for the right. This gives you surround audio which better immerses you in the music/environment.