Sample duration - GCSE Computer Science Definition

Reviewed by: Robert Hampton

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Sample duration is the time it takes to measure one sample in a digital audio recording. When a sound is recorded digitally, it is broken down into many tiny pieces called samples. Each sample captures a part of the sound at a specific moment in time. The sample duration tells us how long each of these moments lasts. It is usually measured in seconds or fractions of a second. A shorter sample duration results in a higher sample rate, leading to better sound quality because more details of the sound are captured. Understanding sample duration is important when studying how computers record and play sounds in digital form.

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Robert Hampton

Reviewer: Robert Hampton

Expertise: Computer Science Content Creator

Rob has over 16 years' experience teaching Computer Science and ICT at KS3 & GCSE levels. Rob has demonstrated strong leadership as Head of Department since 2012 and previously supported teacher development as a Specialist Leader of Education, empowering departments to excel in Computer Science. Beyond his tech expertise, Robert embraces the virtual world as an avid gamer, conquering digital battlefields when he's not coding.

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