3. Log vs decibel scale - Loudness and Level

In this video, we'll look at different ways we can represent the pressure values on a one dimensional scale. We'll quickly find out that plotting a vast range of values on a linear scale can lead to loss of resolution at the lower range of values, and we'll see how a logarithmic scale is better suited to represent exponential data. We'll learn the basics of logarithms or log, as a substitute for the exponent or power function. We delve further by representing pressures not on their own, but as ratios, with the baseline pressure value as the threshold of human hearing. We'll explore a unit that is most commonly associated with measurement and representation of pressure, the bel and decibel. We'll derive the equation of converting pressure into dBSPL, and answer a couple of commonly asked questions in the process.

Content:

00:00 Pressure and the linear scale
02:45 Mathematics of logarithms
04:15 Pressure ratios
05:41 Bel and decibel
10:56 Common questions

In this module on Loudness and Level we'll delve into how our sense of loudness is different for different frequencies and all the nuances associated with hearing. We'll look at level, and the technical ways of measuring and calculating the amplitude of signals. And finally we’ll look at a new way of measuring loudness that’s all the rage at the moment, the Loudness unit. It has redefined the standard used in streaming and broadcast, and promises to bring an end to the age of super compressed audio and the so-called loudness war.

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[mauriciochavez]

You may not realize how helpful are these videos, but they truly are. Thank you.

[ChetilloSuperqueso]

Dude!, you just made me understand what an entire semester in university couldn’t, thanks a lot man!

[peiyuexu]

Thank you. No one can explain this even better!

[drhussamsabagh]

wow what a great video and explanation
, you should get an award for that

[rituparna]

No one explained it better. Glad I bumped into your channel.

[musicilove]

Wonderfully explained, finally I got a more accurate understanding about it. Akash, you're the best!

[ethanstine]

Super helpful! And you corrected a lot of poor teaching id received in the past. Love the build up from fundamentals.

[eenrrov]

Akash, extremely good pedagogics! Extremely good verbal and visual presentation.

[MAJIN_MAGIC]

BRUH!! Amazing Videos!!!! Thanks so much very well organized information!!

[tonysum]

good, waiting for more digital audio explanation videos

[mauriccimgt]

By far the best explanation about decibel scale! Awesome job!!

[sebasemd]

Total gratitude for your clear explanations. Very appreciated!

[greatprince]

superb series of video; best explenation i ever got.

thx for the good work

[augustushenry]

Thank you for making these videos! Very informative, very well done.

[goofgoof]

I have a question: Why is 0 decibels the maximum level for mixing a song in a digital audio workstation? Is this so we wont hear what pressure the computer is physically exerting..so we can focus on routing the project to an amplifier of our own like headphones to actually hear it this way?

[adityagojamgunde]

Absolutely Crazy Explanation! Thanks for this!

[vinay]

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[csivas]

clear explanations. very helpful. Thank you so much

[onemorething]

great video, very direct explanation, keep up the great work

[gillcussons]

A really great job at explaining this topic, thank you