surface noise

noun

Audio.

extraneous noise caused by physical wear or a physical flaw on a phonograph record or in a pickup system, rather than by a flaw in the equipment.

surface noise

noun

noise produced by the friction of the needle or stylus of a record player with the rotating record, caused by a static charge, dust, or irregularities on the surface of a record

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of surface noise¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Galvanized by sound in yawning subterranean caverns, she made her calling “deep listening” as a way to overcome the world’s ever-increasing surface noise.

From

Often what I hear beneath my desire’s surface noise isn’t problematic, only human: the vulnerability in having a life tangled up with others.

From

I treasured wear-and-tear; trusted damage and distress; and savored the authenticity of tape hiss and surface noise.

From

A brittle material, shellac became outmoded around 1960 as it often creates unusual levels of surface noise and can quite literally break apart in your hands if not handled appropriately.

From

Garden Street was bleak, save for the aural sunbeam of Aretha singing through the surface noise of well-worn vinyl, assuring us that God would take care of everything.

From

surface mail surface of light and shade

Browse