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Decibel (dB) is the standard unit used to measure sound level and signal level in audio. It is widely used in music production, live sound, recording and audio engineering.
What is a decibel?
The decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning that relatively small changes in dB represent much larger changes in sound energy. This allows extremely quiet and extremely loud sounds to be measured on the same scale.
In music, decibels are used to measure everything from acoustic sound levels to microphone signals, amplifier output and digital recording levels.
How are decibels used in piano playing?
Piano players encounter decibels when performing through amplification, recording digital pianos or working in a studio. Understanding signal levels helps prevent unwanted distortion while preserving the full dynamic range of the performance.
A basic understanding of decibels also makes it easier to communicate with sound engineers and achieve balanced, professional-sounding recordings and live performances.