📖 Audio Glossary

Colouration

Any audible alteration to the sound added by a component or room — a colored sound is not neutral and has a distinct character.

All audio equipment adds some coloration — the goal is to minimize it in the monitoring chain. Studio monitors aim for flat, uncolored response; consumer speakers often deliberately add coloration (boosted bass, recessed mids) for an 'exciting' sound. Room acoustics are the biggest source of coloration in most setups.

Common coloration sources: speaker cabinet resonances, room reflections, tube amplifier harmonics (even-order = 'warm'), and vinyl playback (added harmonic distortion). Some coloration is desirable for creation (analog saturation, tape compression) but should be avoided in monitoring.

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