ABSTRACT
This chapter provides standards that are relevant to digital audio in broadcast facilities. Some useful new formats and standards have emerged along with necessary revisions to existing standards. An ancillary standard, Audio Engineering Society (AES) 5, recommends use of the professional audio sample rate of 48 kHz on AES3, while recognizing the use of sample rates of 44.1 kHz, 32 kHz, and 96 kHz. The data carried on the AES/ European Broadcasting Union interface is divided into blocks, frames, and subframes. AES 3 defines a digital protocol and physical and electrical interfaces for the carriage of two discrete audio channels, accompanied by various housekeeping, status, and user information in a single serial digital bitstream. Consistency in the type of digital audio metering device used, good operator training, and the establishment of strict house standard reference levels and alignment practices are the best defenses when it comes to accurate audio level control.
