
| Deutsche Version |
In analog audio engineering we deal only with 'voltage' amplification (gain) and damping (loss).
| V2 > V1 means amplification. The dB value is positive. V2 < V1 means damping. The dB value is negative. V2 / V1 means the ratio. The amplification or the damping in dB is: L = 20 × log (voltage ratio V2 / V1) V1 is the reference. |
| 3 dB ≡ | 1.414 times the voltage | (−3) dB ≡ | damping to the value 0.707 |
| 6 dB ≡ | 2 times the voltage | (−6) dB ≡ | damping to the value 0.5 |
| 10 dB ≡ | 3.162 times the voltage | (−10) dB ≡ | damping to the value 0.316 |
| 20 dB ≡ | 10 times the voltage | (−20) dB ≡ | damping to the value 0.1 |
| Using voltage we get: Level in dB: L = 20 × log (voltage ratio) |
| +6 dB = two times the voltage +12 dB = four rimes the voltage +20 dB = ten times the voltage +40 dB = hundred times the voltage |
Not often one is interested in power, if we consider audio engineering.
Do not ask what the power amplification is.
Leave that to the telephone company.
Is there really a power amplification?
Read the text at the bottom.
Using power we get: Level in dB: L = 10 × log (power ratio)
| +3 dB = two times the power +6 dB = four times the power +10 dB = ten times the power +20 dB = hundred times the power |
If you search for the amplification ratio, given the dB value,
then go to the program dB calculation
|
| Enter a value in the left or right box. The calculator works in both directions of the ↔ sign. |
The voltage is always given as RMS value - but not the electric power.
There is also the reference power P0 = 1 milliwatt or 0,001 watt ≡ 0 dBm
Amplification and Damping
In audio technique the following "power or energy amplification " is rather unusual.
| Voltage/Pressure amplification ratio |
1 |
1.414 = √2 |
2 |
3.16 = √10 |
4 |
10 |
20 |
40 |
100 |
1000 |
| Increasing of x dB | 0 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 20 | 26 | 32 | 40 | 60 |
| Power/Intensity amplification ratio |
1 |
1.414 = √2 |
2 |
3.16 = √10 |
4 |
10 |
20 |
40 |
100 |
1000 |
| Increasing of y dB | 0 | 1.5 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 30 |
Level in psycho acoustics as subjectivly perceived loudness (volume)
Amplifier conversion - Convert decibels to voltage gain / loss
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