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de-emphasis

de-emphasis

7.5
Reducing high sounds in a recording to make the sound less noisy
  • noun
  • /diːˈɛm.fə.sɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : atenuación
  • Modern FM receivers automatically use de-emphasis circuits to improve sound quality.

Examples

  • The audio engineer applied de-emphasis to the recording to minimize unwanted high-frequency noise.

  • Without proper de-emphasis, the broadcast would sound harsh and noisy to listeners.

  • The de-emphasis of high frequencies improved the sound quality.

  • We need to focus on the de-emphasis of background noise.

  • The audio engineer applied de-emphasis to the recording to minimize unwanted high-frequency noise.

  • Modern FM receivers automatically use de-emphasis circuits to improve sound quality.

  • Without proper de-emphasis, the broadcast would sound harsh and noisy to listeners.

Synonyms

attenuation
vsde-emphasis
  • Specialized
3 7.9

To make a sound or signal weaker

focuses reduction specifically on higher frequencies to undo an earlier boost

Antonyms

preemphasis
  • Specialized
9.3

A process that raises high sounds before sending or recording so they are clearer

Surface Forms

de-emphasis singular
de-emphases plural

Morphology

de-emphasis = emphasis (semi-transparent) = de + emphasis

The form 'de-' + 'emphasis' is morphologically clear, but the sense referring specifically to signal-processing attenuation of high frequencies is technical and not directly inferable by average learners.

Etymology

De-emphasis comes from de- 'reduce' and emphasis 'stress', and in audio it means lowering the loud, high parts of a sound—like turning down the treble—so the result is softer and less noisy.