SoundsField recordingsFrequenciesDecibelsInstrumentsGlossaryToolsLearn
  1. Home
  2. Glossary
  3. Audio engineering
  4. Frequency response: Definition & Explanation
Audio engineering

Frequency response

What is frequency response? A clear definition from the audio engineering section of our glossary, with 14 related terms, tools to try and further reading.

Definition of Frequency response

In signal processing, electronics and mechanical vibration, the frequency response of a system is the quantitative measure of the magnitude and phase of the output as a function of input frequency. The frequency response is widely used in the design and analysis of systems, such as audio equipment and control systems, where they simplify mathematical analysis by converting governing differential equations into algebraic equations. In an audio system, it may be used to minimize audible distortion by designing components (such as microphones, amplifiers and loudspeakers) so that the overall response is as flat (uniform) as possible across the system's bandwidth. In control systems, such as a vehicle's cruise control, it may be used to assess system stability, often through the use of Bode plots. Systems with a specific frequency response can be designed using analog and digital filters.

Terms mentioned above

Related terms

Questions people ask

Real questions from the Stack Exchange community – follow a link to read the discussion.

Frequently asked questions

What is Frequency response?

In signal processing, electronics and mechanical vibration, the frequency response of a system is the quantitative measure of the magnitude and phase of the output as a function of input frequency.

Sources & credits