---
id:"kb-2026-00476"
title:"Audio Engineering"
schema_type:"TechArticle"
category:"arts"
language:"en"
confidence:"high"
last_verified:"2026-05-22"
generation_method:"ai_assisted"
ai_models:["claude-opus"]
derived_from_human_seed:true
primary_sources:
  - title:"Mastering Audio (Bob Katz, 3rd Ed)"
    type:"book"
    year:2015
    url:"https://www.routledge.com/Mastering-Audio-The-Art-and-the-Science/Katz/p/book/9780240818962"
    institution:"Focal Press"
secondary_sources:
  - title: "MDN Web Docs — HTTP"
    type: "documentation"
    year: 2026
    url: "https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP"
    institution: "Mozilla"
completeness: 0.88
ai_citations:
  last_citation_check:"2026-05-22"
---

## TL;DR

Audio engineering encompasses recording, mixing, and mastering sound. Key concepts: frequency (pitch, Hz), amplitude (loudness, dB), waveform (timbre). Recording chain: source → microphone → preamp → ADC → DAW. Mixing: balance levels, pan (stereo placement), EQ (adjust frequency balance), compression (control dynamics), reverb/delay (space).

## Core Explanation

Dynamic range: difference between quietest and loudest — compressed in modern music (loudness war). EQ types: parametric (frequency + bandwidth + gain), shelving, high/low-pass. Compression: ratio (e.g., 4:1 means 4dB input above threshold = 1dB output), attack, release. Reverb: convolution (real spaces) vs. algorithmic. Mastering: final polish — loudness normalization (LUFS for streaming: Spotify -14 LUFS).

## Further Reading

- [Mastering Audio (Bob Katz, 3rd Ed)](https://www.routledge.com/Mastering-Audio-The-Art-and-the-Science/Katz/p/book/9780240818962)