ground noise
A scientist carefully measures the faint signal while filtering out the ground noise.
Noun: * Extraneous noise contaminating sound measurements that cannot be separated from the desired signal: "Ground noise" refers to the low-level, persistent, and unwanted background sound that is inherent to a recording or measurement system. It is not part of the intended signal (like speech or music) but is mixed with it and cannot be completely removed. This noise forms a baseline or "floor" of sound.
"Ground noise" is a technical term used primarily in audio engineering, acoustics, and scientific measurement. It describes the inherent, residual noise present in any system, such as the hiss on an analog tape recording, the static in an audio circuit, or the ambient hum picked up by a microphone. It is the noise that exists even when the desired source is silent.
- The old cassette recording was marred by significant ground noise.
- To accurately measure the faint signal, the engineers first had to quantify the system's ground noise.
- A high-quality preamp will have very low ground noise, resulting in a cleaner recording.
- Signal-to-noise ratio: This is a key related concept. It measures the level of the desired signal compared to the level of the ground noise. A high signal-to-noise ratio is desirable.
- Example: The new microphone improved the podcast's signal-to-noise ratio by reducing the ground noise.
- Background noise: A more general term for any unwanted sound from the environment. "Ground noise" is often a specific component of the total background noise that is system-inherent.
- Noise floor: A nearly synonymous term used in electronics and audio to describe the same concept—the measure of the signal created from the sum of all noise sources and unwanted signals.
- Hiss: A type of ground noise that sounds like a steady "ssss" sound, common in analog systems.
- Hum: A type of ground noise, often at 50 or 60 Hz, caused by electrical interference.
- Background hiss
- System noise
- Residual noise
- Noise floor
- To be buried in ground noise: Describes a desired signal that is so weak it is indistinguishable from the system's inherent noise.
- Example: The distant radio transmission was buried in ground noise and impossible to decipher.
A scientist carefully measures the faint signal while filtering out the ground noise.
- extraneous noise contaminating sound measurements that cannot be separated from the desired signal