FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $75! *TERMS AND EXCLUSIONS APPLY

REWIRE YOURSELF

In electronic parlance noise is any sound produced by machinery which is not part of the signal passing through that machinery. Noise occurs in both audio and video electronics, and equipment manufacturers go to great lengths to eliminate or at least limit the amount of noise present to the eye and ear of the equipment user.

June 1, 1982
Richard Robinson

REWIRE YOURSELF

ROCK WITHOUT NOISE

by

Richard Robinson

In electronic parlance noise is any sound produced by machinery which is not part of the signal passing through that machinery. Noise occurs in both audio and video electronics, and equipment manufacturers go to great lengths to eliminate or at least limit the amount of noise present to the eye and ear of the equipment user.

To experience pure electronic noise, turn on your stereo and without putting on a record or a tape, turn up the volume control to its maximum setting. Unless you have an absolutely perfect system, you’ll hear a certain amount of hiss coming from the stereo speakers. The hiss is electronic noise, produced by your stereo components as they do their job.

Normally, the listener doesn’t hear much of the noise present in an electronic system because the signal (record, audio tape, videotape, radio or TV broadcast) is stronger (louder) than the noise. So while the noise is still there, it goes undetected. This phenomenon is described in terms of signal to noise ratios. If the signal is stronger than the noise, has a good signal to noise ratio, then the noise will not be apparent.

Sign In to Your Account

Registered subscribers can access the complete archive.

Login

Don’t have an account?

Subscribe

...or read now for $1 via Supertab

READ NOW