Simple Explanation

An A/D converter changes analog audio into digital data—turning real-world sound into ones and zeros.

Concise Technical Definition

ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) is an electronic device that converts continuous analog audio signals into digital binary code, enabling the signal to be stored, edited, or processed digitally.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like taking a photo of a sound—an A/D converter “captures” a snapshot of the sound and turns it into digital form your computer can work with.

Industry Usage Summary

Used in audio interfaces, digital recorders, and smartphones, A/D converters are crucial for turning microphone or line-level analog signals into digital audio for recording, mixing, and playback.

Engineering Shortcut

A/D = analog in → digital out; required for all digital audio workflows.

Full Technical Explanation

An A/D converter (analog-to-digital converter) samples a continuous-time analog signal at discrete intervals and quantizes the signal amplitude into binary data. This process typically involves anti-aliasing filtering, sampling at a set rate (e.g., 44.1 kHz), and bit-depth resolution (e.g., 16-bit or 24-bit). A/D conversion is foundational in digital audio systems, allowing analog input—such as from microphones or instruments—to be encoded for use in DAWs, digital mixers, and storage formats like WAV or FLAC.