The Basics of Sample Rate for Radio Production

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Sample Rate is the amount of samples taken per second, or the number of times we look at a sound and take a measurement. A Sample is actually a piece of information.

Sample rates are expressed as the frequency of samples for second. It’s also expressed in Hertz (Hz). A sample rate of 44.1 kHz means that in one second, a sound is sound 44,100 times. The sample is recorded as numerical data i.e. digital info.

The important thing to remember about sample rates is that the higher figure is, the greater the accuracy you will have. Greater accuracy means a better digital representation. Rates can go from 8, 22, 44.1 to 48, 88.2, 96 even up to 192 kHz.

Below is a video to help you understand. Understanding the basics of sample rate allows you to digitize audio precisely, especially voice tracks.