Here is the engineering explanation. RMS is short for root mean square. The problem with calculating average signal level with a sine wave is that half is above zero and half is below zero so the average is zero. By squaring the signal there are no negative values (-1*-1=+1) and now you sum over time for the mean and take the square root which gives you average level. Peak is just that the peak of the sine wave(s). Now some may say but music isnt sine waves but yes it is, all music can be decomposed into its pure sine wave components. For a pure sine wave RMS=sqrt(2)^peak value.
Hey! Thanks for the scientific explanation. It's interesting to understand the differences and why one measurement might be more useful than another depending on the situation! -Marty
@@SHUTUPANDRECORD This is why I despise manufacturers that say things like am amplifier has peak power of X. Peak is meaningless, max continuous power is the true measure of an amplifier's output.
Yep. Doing comparison videos has really reinforced the fact that the only way to truly judge a piece of gear is to get it in your hands and use it yourself.
Here is the engineering explanation. RMS is short for root mean square. The problem with calculating average signal level with a sine wave is that half is above zero and half is below zero so the average is zero. By squaring the signal there are no negative values (-1*-1=+1) and now you sum over time for the mean and take the square root which gives you average level. Peak is just that the peak of the sine wave(s). Now some may say but music isnt sine waves but yes it is, all music can be decomposed into its pure sine wave components. For a pure sine wave RMS=sqrt(2)^peak value.
Hey! Thanks for the scientific explanation. It's interesting to understand the differences and why one measurement might be more useful than another depending on the situation!
-Marty
@@SHUTUPANDRECORD This is why I despise manufacturers that say things like am amplifier has peak power of X. Peak is meaningless, max continuous power is the true measure of an amplifier's output.
Yep. Doing comparison videos has really reinforced the fact that the only way to truly judge a piece of gear is to get it in your hands and use it yourself.