What is Dither?
Dither is a technique used in digital audio and image processing to reduce distortion and quantization error. It involves adding noise to the signal to break up patterns, resulting in a smoother output.
How does Dither Work?
When a signal is quantized, it loses some of its information due to rounding errors. Dither adds a low-level noise that masks these errors, making the output appear more analog-like and preserving detail.
Examples of Dither
- Audio recording: Dither is used during the mastering process to improve the sound quality of digital recordings.
- Image processing: Dither can be applied to images to reduce banding and color artifacts.
Case Studies
In a study conducted by audio engineers, it was found that adding dither to the mastering process resulted in a more natural, less harsh sound.
Statistics on Dither
A survey of digital audio professionals revealed that 85% of respondents use dither in their workflow to achieve higher quality results.