Simple Explanation

The displacement of a wave from its mean value. In sound, it refers to how far air particles move and is experienced as loudness. The higher the amplitude, the louder the sound.

Concise Technical Definition

The strength or magnitude of a wave’s oscillation, measured from its mean (zero) value. In audio, it directly relates to the perceived loudness of sound.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like how far you swing on a swing—small swings are quiet (low amplitude), big swings are loud (high amplitude).

Industry Usage Summary

Amplitude is a core parameter in audio engineering, directly tied to loudness, gain staging, headroom, and signal-to-noise ratio. It’s measured in volts (electrical signals) or Pascals (sound pressure) and monitored in dB.

Engineering Shortcut

Amplitude = wave height = loudness proxy (linear or dB).

Full Technical Explanation

Amplitude describes the magnitude of variation in a wave, measured from its average value. In sound waves, it reflects the degree of air particle displacement and is interpreted by human hearing as loudness. Higher amplitude waves produce more sound energy and thus louder perceived sounds. In audio systems, amplitude is typically measured in volts (electrical signals) or decibels (relative power levels). It plays a crucial role in dynamics processing, headroom management, and ensuring signals remain above the noise floor without clipping.