Dynamic range
lastmod 2019-07-25created 2019-07-254 edits
Dynamic range, abbreviated DR, DNR, or DYR, is the ratio between the largest and smallest values that a certain quantity can assume. It is used in the context of signals, such as sound and light. It is measured either as a ratio of the difference between the smallest and largest signal values, or as a base-10 (decibel) or base-2 (doublings, bits, or stops) logarithmic value.
Electronically reproduced audio and video is often processed to fit a wide-dynamic-range source into a narrower recorded dynamic range so that it can be more easily stored and reproduced. This processing is called a dynamic range compressor.