What term is used to refer to the number of bits used per second of sampled audio?

The term used to refer to the number of bits used per second of sampled audio is known as bit rate. Bit rate is an important aspect of audio quality as it determines how much data is transmitted in a given time period. A higher bit rate typically indicates better audio quality because more data is used to represent the sound, allowing for greater detail and fidelity.

Understanding bit rate is crucial when working with digital audio formats, as it directly impacts file size, audio clarity, and the overall listening experience. For instance, streaming services often use bit rate as a factor when delivering audio to ensure a balance between sound quality and bandwidth consumption.

In contrast, other terms like bit depth, byte rate, and sample rate pertain to different aspects of audio processing. Bit depth refers to the number of bits used to represent each sample, affecting the dynamic range of the audio. Byte rate involves the amount of data transmitted per second in bytes, which can be a conversion of bits but is not the standard term for audio sampling. Sample rate indicates how many samples of audio are taken per second, influencing the frequency range but not the bit quantity itself over time.