So, the quick answer is it is smoothed. Yes, there are discrete samples. But filters reconstruct the analog wave form, essentially via low pass filtering. At the recording studio a similar set of filters is in place to ensure that nothing above the cut-off frequency (let's not get too deep here) is captured -- which can mess up the entire process.
Basically this si what a DAC does. It converts Digital to Analog. There are different methods, but step #1 is to create a PDM or PAM output (one's a stair-step, one varies the density of equal height pulses just like fuel injection). The 2nd step is to smooth it out and remove the hgih frequency noise. All of this was figured out int he 1960s, mostly at Bell Labs for long distance telephony.
The results are very good, but nothing is perfect. The analog amplifiers and filtering were among the first places addressed for improvement when digital first came out int he 80s. Not only are analog filters in place, but nearly everyone uses digital filters on an over-sampled signal.
When you over or up sample a signal the goal is not to magically create missing information from a vacuum. Its simply to move the noise ("steps") to a higher frequency so that they are more easily filtered out. Get i hgih enough and your ear will do it on its own.
You can perform normal measurements - noise, distortion, etc on a the analog output of a DAC.
G
Basically this si what a DAC does. It converts Digital to Analog. There are different methods, but step #1 is to create a PDM or PAM output (one's a stair-step, one varies the density of equal height pulses just like fuel injection). The 2nd step is to smooth it out and remove the hgih frequency noise. All of this was figured out int he 1960s, mostly at Bell Labs for long distance telephony.
The results are very good, but nothing is perfect. The analog amplifiers and filtering were among the first places addressed for improvement when digital first came out int he 80s. Not only are analog filters in place, but nearly everyone uses digital filters on an over-sampled signal.
When you over or up sample a signal the goal is not to magically create missing information from a vacuum. Its simply to move the noise ("steps") to a higher frequency so that they are more easily filtered out. Get i hgih enough and your ear will do it on its own.
You can perform normal measurements - noise, distortion, etc on a the analog output of a DAC.
G
