Rectification

The process of clipping a signal or waveform such that either the positive or negative portion of it is completely eliminated. This technique can be used to convert alternating current into direct current, for instance to produce control voltages for use in a sound synthesizer.

Types of rectification are shown below:

• half-wave, in which only the positive or negative portions of the signal remain;
• full-wave, in which either positive or negative portions are inverted so that the entire signal has the same polarity.

Compare: Compression, Generator, Peak Clipping, Pulse, Switch, Transducer.