Audio Compression
Audio compression is a technique used to reduce the size of digital audio files by removing redundant or less perceptible data, enabling efficient storage and transmission. It involves encoding audio signals using algorithms that can be lossless (preserving all original data) or lossy (discarding some data based on psychoacoustic models). This process is fundamental in applications like music streaming, telephony, and multimedia production.
Developers should learn audio compression to optimize audio data handling in applications such as streaming services, video games, and communication tools, where bandwidth and storage constraints are critical. It's essential for implementing efficient audio codecs, ensuring high-quality playback with minimal resource usage, and enhancing user experience in real-time systems like VoIP or online gaming.