In this case, if it’s dBSPL they don’t*. When measuring dBs in digital they are negative because 0dB is the loudest value the signal can take. In summary, dBs aren’t made equal and they’re a confusing unit.
*0dBSPL is the auditory threshold, so you can’t hear negative dBSPL but it is a valid measure.
dB are a relative unit, and as a relative unit they are all equal (keeping in mind subtleties of amplitude vs. power). They can be used as an absolute unit only when referenced to some value (dBm, dBV…).
Keeping these two things top of mind helps me, at any rate.
Somebody should tell him decibels go into the negative numbers
In this case, if it’s dBSPL they don’t*. When measuring dBs in digital they are negative because 0dB is the loudest value the signal can take. In summary, dBs aren’t made equal and they’re a confusing unit.
*0dBSPL is the auditory threshold, so you can’t hear negative dBSPL but it is a valid measure.
dB are a relative unit, and as a relative unit they are all equal (keeping in mind subtleties of amplitude vs. power). They can be used as an absolute unit only when referenced to some value (dBm, dBV…).
Keeping these two things top of mind helps me, at any rate.
Logarithmic scales ftw!
Plus, having -∞ as the lowest on a volume knob is just badass.
Do you have a minute to talk about on/off switches?