Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording. Acoustic analog recording is achieved by a small microphone diaphragm that can detect changes in atmospheric pressure (acoustic sound waves) and record them as a graphic representation of the sound waves on a medium such as a phonograph (in which a stylus senses grooves on a record). In magnetic tape recording, the sound waves vibrate the microphone diaphragm and are converted into a varying electric current, which is then converted to a varying magnetic field by an electromagnet, which makes a representation of the sound as magnetized areas on a plastic tape with a magnetic coating on it. Analog sound reproduction is the reverse process, with a bigger loudspeaker diaphragm causing changes to atmospheric pressure to form acoustic sound waves. Electronically generated sound waves may also be recorded directly from devices such as an electric guitar pickup or a synthesizer, without the use of acoustics in the recording process other than the need for musicians to hear how well they are playing during recording sessions.

Tontechnik oder auch Elektroakustik ist der Oberbegriff für technische Geräte die der Umwandlung, Bearbeitung, Aufzeichnung (Speicherung), und Wiedergabe von akustischen Ereignissen (Schall) dienen.

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Звукоза́пись — процесс сохранения воздушных колебаний в диапазоне 20—20 000  Гц (музыки, речи или иных звуков) на каком-либо носителе (грампластинки, магнитная лента, компакт-диск и т. д.) с помощью специальных приборов (микрофон, микшерный пульт, магнитофон и т. д.).