7. RMS Explained - Loudness and Level

In this video, we'll discuss the widely used metric of RMS (Root Mean Square) calculations and fully understand the origins of the value, why it's needed in the first place in the domains of analog signals and what it means in the context of audio signals.
Find the full playlist here: • Loudness and Level
Content:
00:00 Introduction
02:12 Electrical theory
06:16 RMS equation and value of sinusoid
08:23 RMS value of a triangle wave
08:49 RMS value of a square wave
09:30 RMS in the context of audio
Desmos calculator for
Sinusoids: www.desmos.com/calculator/2bi...
Triangle wave: www.desmos.com/calculator/gkp...
Square wave: www.desmos.com/calculator/ldb...
References:
Audio Metering; Measurements, Standards, and Practice; Third edition
Media used:
Compressed metal: Higher Octane - Vans in Japan (Royalty Free from KZbin Music catalog)
Uncompressed drums: Paweł Mąciwoda - One Of The First (Unmixed)
In this module on Loudness and Level we'll delve into how our sense of loudness is different for different frequencies and all the nuances associated with hearing. We'll look at level, and the technical ways of measuring and calculating the amplitude of signals. And finally we’ll look at a new way of measuring loudness that’s all the rage at the moment, the Loudness unit. It has redefined the standard used in streaming and broadcast, and promises to bring an end to the age of super compressed audio and the so-called loudness war.
If you've got any questions, suggestions or recommendations, type them out here, or send me a message on any of my social channels mentioned below.
A lot of time was spent on creating this series, and I plan to do more. So please consider subscribing if you wish to be notified about more releases in the future. And if you feel generous: / akashmurthy
Check out the audio track in the intro and outro here: / tinderbox
Check out my music here: farfetchd-official.bandcamp.com/
Give me a shout here:
My website - www.akashmurthy.com/
Facebook - / akash.murthy.319
Instagram - / thrifleganger

[@pmishraofficial]

By far the most useful explanation of RMS. Considering the fact that duration of audio has as much impact on its perceived loudness as the transient peaks, is something that many people tend to miss out on. Great example of drum sample and the metal track. Sound design often benefits from experimenting with getting different RMS values by tweaking the tail.

[@akashmurthy]

Glad you think so man!

[@dilipk3]

Hey these videos are fantastic! I’m a software engineer in a different domain and I’m getting into some audio processing for doing sound reactive lights and such. I had no idea what I was doing but learning the concepts of signals and sound waves and these videos help a ton, thanks dude!

[@VirtualAudioMusic]

Best technical explanation on the internet! Thank you so much for these videos!

[@akashmurthy]

Thanks for checking it out mate!

[@Raiden_Amani]

Wow. Thanks. Lovely and completely coherent video.

[@jeevika2190]

thank god for this series 🙏🏾 please keep making these kinds of videos, they’re so helpful!

[@akashmurthy]

Will do, thanks!

[@Alex-pq4zl]

Looking forward to the next video!

[@nandaks79]

@akashmurthy - Once again thanks for the amazing explanation with great visuals. Looking forward to next chapter on 'Temporal aspect of the sound'

[@fantastic_n0b]

Man too bad it's over interrupted like that that was by far the best playlist i've seen on youtube! Please update :O

[@akashmurthy]

What do you mean overinterrupted?

[@fantastic_n0b]

@@akashmurthy Is the 7 episode the last one?

[@akashmurthy]

@@fantastic_n0b Ah yea, I wanted to make more, but life happened. I will be making more on this series, but it'll take time.

[@PASHKULI]

Akash, keep up with those educational videos! Really informative for the beginners and even for the intermediate (such as myself). I learned about the AC to DC relation with RMS from this video. Really the metal ock song should have been a sample from AC/DC... nevermind. The video is great!

[@akashmurthy]

Thanks man. Trying to avoid KZbin copyright claims! This was some royalty free music that I found.

[@PASHKULI]

@@akashmurthy No worries, the AC/DC suggestion was a bit of a joke on my behalf really. It will be great to have a video regarding the Peaks and RMS and how they translate into digital domain (24 bit), clipping and so on. Also to explain the 32bit float point in digital domain and overall ADC to DAC conversion. Many people do not know much about this. I know this is material for at least three more videos.

[@akashmurthy]

Yea, thanks for the suggestions! Peak and RMS in the digital domain, yes, that's definitely coming up. But some of the topics you've mentioned are already covered. 32 bit floats are covered in Audio Number Format series, although I still have a few more videos in that series pending. ADC to DAC is party covered in Digital Audio Fundamentals. This series is only meant to be about loudness and loudness perception.

[@RingZero]

Excellent and a great refresher video, the visuals are absolutely stunning when I watch them on my 180” 4k projector screen. Keep these educational videos coming, thanks

[@akashmurthy]

Brilliant! Glad to know it holds up on a large screen!

[@aitor0015]

By far the most useful explanation of RMS

[@akashmurthy]

Thanks mate!

[@jesseemmoth5482]

Amazing videos man!

[@akashmurthy]

Cheers!

[@carlosa.chacon985]

Masterpiece!

[@akashmurthy]

:)

[@SumanRoyMondal]

I just want to say u thanks . A great explanation that i never notice on utube

[@akashmurthy]

You're welcome mate..

[@subhajitdebnath9085]

Nice video Akash sir.. I think I can deep learn about audio signal from your channel..😇😇

[@akashmurthy]

All the best!

[@jaivignesh9633]

Thanks

[@pcmobitab]

Can you please make the video on time weighting... No amount of thanking would be enough but still a huge thanks! Eagerly waiting for more contents in this segment such as time weighting

[@akashmurthy]

Can do, I've been meaning to make it for ages. I just need to finish up the filtering series, and I'll get back to this. Sorry for the delay.

[@pcmobitab]

@@akashmurthy no problem bro.. Keep up the awesome work!

[@Xer777Xes]

How is it applicable to audio signals? Has this question been answered yet? And what is „time waiting“ ?

[@RingZero]

Also, please do mention the difference and similarities between RMS and LuFS and how the streaming services measure/restrict the audio levels

[@akashmurthy]

Yes, the concept of LuFS is coming down the road, trying to build up to it.

[@tiwanndev]

Video Idea: FFT Algorithm to make visualizers with Juce Framework

[@akashmurthy]

Thanks for the idea, I'll make it happen some point of time.

[@nandaks79]

Thanks

[@akashmurthy]

Thanks a lot for the support!