Definition of Attack time
In professional audio and telecommunications, attack time is the time between the instant that a signal at the input of a device or circuit exceeds the activation threshold of the device or circuit and the instant that the device or circuit reacts in a specified manner, or to a specified degree, to the input. Attack time occurs in devices such as clippers, peak limiters, compressors, and voxes.
Terms mentioned above
Related terms
Dynamic range compression
Dynamic range compression (DRC) or simply compression, is an audio signal processing…
Quasi-peak detector
A quasi-peak detector is a type of electronic detector or rectifier. Quasi-peak…
Digital recording
In digital recording, an audio or video signal is converted into a stream of discrete…
Phantom power
Phantom power, in the context of professional audio equipment, is direct current (DC)…
AES3
AES3 is a standard for the exchange of digital audio signals between professional audio…
DI unit
A DI unit (direct input or direct inject) is an electronic device typically used in…
Peak programme meter
A peak programme meter (PPM) is an instrument used in professional audio that indicates…
Audio feedback
Audio feedback (also known as acoustic feedback, howlround in the UK, or simply as…
The Thing (listening device)
The Thing, also known as the Great Seal bug, was one of the first covert listening…
Frequently asked questions
What is Attack time?
In professional audio and telecommunications, attack time is the time between the instant that a signal at the input of a device or circuit exceeds the activation threshold of the device or circuit and the instant that the device or circuit reacts in a…