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Week 2 - Bit Depth & Sample Rate

Input vs. Output

INPUT

An input accepts the signal of an output signal from an external piece of equipment.

In a voice actor’s “signal chain” – (the path between their mouth and the speakers or headphones) – common input items would be:

• the capsule / diaphragm of your microphone that you speak into;
• the port you plug your cord into on an interface or mixer;
• a dedicated preamp and/or channel strip;
• your computer; and
• monitors / speakers.

OUTPUT

An audio output produces a signal that drives another unit’s input, or produces a playback signal (such as speakers or headphones).

Though it might not seem correct when you first think about it, the microphone is an output device because it is sending the signal out from its components to the next device in the signal chain… 🙃

If we look at the below image, the signal travels along the signal chain like this:

VO voice Out → IN Mic Capsule → Out Mic XLR Cable → IN XLR Cable into Interface → Out Interface USB cable → IN Computer USB port→ OUT (EITHER) Computer or Interface Headphones or Speaker port

🗣️ → 🎙️→ 🎛️ → 💻 AND 🎧 or 🔈 One of our students, Ian, explained it by saying:

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“So the input is more of a recipient and output more of a provider.”

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Mic Level vs. Line Level

A mic-level or microphone-level signal describes the voltage generated by a microphone when it picks up sound, typically just a few thousandths of a Volt. This voltage varies in response to changes in sound level and distance.

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Mic level is the weakest and requires a pre-amplifier to bring it up to line level. Mixers and preamplifiers are the most common hardware types that provide power to our mics.

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A line-level signal is approximately one Volt, or about 1,000 times as strong as a mic-level signal; the two do not use the same input.

• Connecting a microphone to a line-level input will result in almost no sound at all, because the mic-level signal is too weak to drive the line-level input.
• Connecting a line-level source to a mic-level input will cause the sound to be loud and distorted because the line-level signal is much stronger than what the mic input will accept. (Note: Inputs and Outputs on some higher-end mixers are mic and line level switchable.)

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Balanced vs. Unbalanced Cables

Balanced cables consist of three conductors: hot, cold, and ground. These cables help shield the audio signal from external noise and interference. They are generally preferred for long cable runs.