Simple Explanation

The difference between the quietest and loudest parts of a sound.

Concise Technical Definition

The range in decibels (dB) between the softest audible sound and the loudest undistorted sound a system or signal can reproduce.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like whispering and shouting in the same sentence without losing clarity—dynamic range is how far apart quiet and loud sounds can be.

Industry Usage Summary

Used to describe how expressive or “open” a recording or playback system sounds. Low dynamic range is typical of compressed modern music; high dynamic range is found in classical or film scores.

Engineering Shortcut

Max S/N ratio or dB range between noise floor and clipping.

Full Technical Explanation

Dynamic range is the ratio between the quietest discernible signal and the loudest undistorted signal in a given system or medium, measured in decibels (dB). It reflects either the capability of an audio system or the characteristics of a recording. A low noise floor and high output ceiling result in greater dynamic range. In audio production, dynamic range compression is often used to reduce this span, but in high-fidelity and orchestral recordings, preserving a wide range is crucial for realism and emotional impact. It's also equivalent to the maximum signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio.