In more detail
Halving the amplitude is −6.02 dB, because 20 × log₁₀(0.5). A recording that touches 0 dBFS may clip, which flattens the waveform and sounds distorted; a microphone test shows the level so you can set the input gain.
Glossary
Science & Engineering
Decibel (dB)
A decibel is a logarithmic unit that compares two levels of sound, signal or power; in digital audio, level is measured in dBFS, with 0 as the maximum.
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See also
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Glossary
Hertz (Hz)
A hertz is one cycle per second, the unit of frequency; for sound it sets the pitch.
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Glossary
Sample rate
The sample rate is how many times per second a digital recording measures the sound wave, in hertz.