Amplification

The process of producing an increase in the energy of a sound or an audio signal. This may be accomplished by means of an electronic amplifier, or by means of an acoustic resonator, such as the sound box of a musical instrument, an ear-trumpet, etc. Attaching (i.e. coupling) a vibrating object to another surface, such as a soundboard, wall or floor, will result in a more efficient transfer of energy, and hence this process may also be termed amplification.

Amplification or gain may be measured in decibels.

See: Acoustic Impedance, Acoustic Radiation, Resonance. Compare: Attenuation.