Overview: Sample representation

Audio sample representation defines the time spacing, precision and numerical format used for a digital signal.

Sample rate tells you how regularly the signal is sampled. Bit depth and PCM format describe how each sample's value is represented. Those properties travel together in a decoded audio format, yet changing one addresses a different question from changing another.

• Digital audio sampling
  Sampling represents a sound waveform with amplitude values taken at regular time intervals.

• Sample rate
  Sample rate is the number of audio samples per channel per second.

• Audio bit depth
  PCM bit depth sets the number of available numerical levels for each sample.

• PCM sample formats
  PCM sample formats specify how audio sample values are represented and arranged in memory or storage.