What is the Nyquist Frequency & Does it Truly Matter? 2025

The Nyquist frequency is one of the most important concepts in digital audio (whether you’re aware of it or not).

It influences everything from sampling rate choices to avoiding aliasing artifacts in your mix so it doesn’t mess things up.

Plus, it can determine how accurately a signal is sampled, prevent unwanted alias frequency reflections, and guarantee a clean output signal. 

Understanding how it works helps you make better decisions when recording, mixing, and using digital systems to process sound. 

If used the right way, it can improve frequency response, reduce noise, and optimize bit depth settings for a more professional mix.

As producers, knowing all the answers to what is the Nyquist frequency can seriously change the way you handle sampling frequency, signal amplitude, and digital representation of sound. 

It can also help you avoid unnecessary oversampling, and up your skills in synth design, mastering, and extreme processing techniques. 

That’s why I’m breaking down everything you need to know, like:

• What is the Nyquist frequency & why it matters ✓
• How the Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem works ✓
• Choosing the right sampling rate for your projects ✓
• Why aliasing occurs and how to avoid it ✓
• Oversampling vs. increasing your sampling frequency ✓
• How to set alias frequency settings in synths ✓
• Bit depth, signal amplitude & how they affect audio quality ✓
• Corner frequency adjustments for filtering and mastering ✓
• Extreme processing techniques & when to use higher bandwidth ✓
• Much more to help you understand what is the Nyquist frequency ✓

By the end of the article, you’ll know all about the Nyquist frequency and why it matters in the music production world. 

This way, you’ll be able to make better sampling rate choices, avoid unwanted aliasing, and process sound more accurately. 

Plus, you’ll be able to apply anti-aliasing techniques expertly, optimize synth settings, and mix your tracks with cleaner high-end clarity like a boss.

What is the Nyquist Frequency Exactly?

If you’ve ever messed with sample rates in your DAW, you might’ve come across the term Nyquist frequency and wondered what it actually means. 

Well, to put it simply, it’s the highest frequency that can be accurately captured in a digital system without introducing unwanted distortion. 

This happens because of the way digital audio works…

It doesn’t record a continuous signal, like analog tape or vinyl, but instead takes rapid snapshots (samples) of the input signal at fixed sampling intervals.

This is known as the sampling rate. 

The Nyquist frequency is always half the sampling rate, meaning if you’re working with a 44.1 kHz sampling rate (which is standard for CDs and most streaming platforms), the Nyquist frequency is 22.05 kHz. 

That means any sound above that will cause issues if you don’t take the right precautions and do the right things.

When sounds exceed the Nyquist frequency, they get folded back into the audible range as lower, distorted versions of themselves, a problem called aliasing. 

Aliasing occurs when a signal contains frequency components higher than the Nyquist frequency, but the sampling process can’t capture them correctly.

This causes them to reappear as a lower frequency, which we’ll break down in a sec.

For example, if an original analog signal contains a 30 kHz sine wave but you’re using a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, that 30 kHz tone will be incorrectly interpreted as a 14.1 kHz alias frequency instead of being recorded as silence or filtered out. 

This can introduce aliasing artifacts, which can make your mix sound off.

To avoid these issues, digital audio systems use anti-aliasing filters to remove frequencies above the Nyquist frequency before the signal is sampled. 

This guarantees that everything in the recording stays clean and accurate. 

Bottom line, always be aware of your sampling rate and how it affects your audio, especially if you’re recording high-frequency instruments like cymbals/synthesizers.

The Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem

To really understand what is the Nyquist frequency, we need to talk about the Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem for a minute.

This principle states that to accurately measure an original analog signal and convert it into digital signals, the sampling rate must be at least twice the highest frequency present in the original sound. 

In other words, if a signal frequency reaches 10 kHz, the sampling frequency needs to be at least 20 kHz to capture it properly. 

This is why we say that the Nyquist frequency is always half the sampling rate 一 it’s a direct result of this unique theorem.

For example, let’s say you’re recording a sine wave at 15 kHz with a sampling rate of 30 kHz… Since twice the highest frequency in your signal is still below the sampling rate, the wave is captured accurately. 

But if you try to record that same sine wave at 15 kHz with a sampling rate of 20 kHz, it won’t work correctly, and you’ll get an aliased signal instead. 

This is why high-fidelity audio is typically recorded at 48 kHz, 96 kHz, or even 192 kHz.

Higher sampling rates allow for a wider frequency response and more accurate reproduction of high-end details.

One important thing to remember is that just because a sampling rate is super high doesn’t always mean better sound. 

Most human ears can’t hear much past 20 kHz, so a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz is usually enough to be honest.

However, higher sampling rates can sometimes improve audio quality in plugins, especially those that use oversampling.

Oversampling works by temporarily increasing the sampling frequency to push alias frequency issues outside the audible range, then filtering out anything unnecessary before downsampling. 

It’s a technique used in many professional-grade plugins to avoid aliasing and ensure cleaner audio processing.

Basically, the Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem reminds us that setting the right sampling rate isn’t just about numbers.

It’s about making sure we’re capturing the full frequency response of a signal without introducing unnecessary distortion. 

If you’re working with virtual synths, for example, it’s worth checking whether your synth engine uses oversampling to prevent aliasing artifacts (especially when working with high-pitched sounds).

Sampling Rate and Audio Quality

The sampling rate determines how many times per second an input signal is sampled 一 affecting the overall clarity and accuracy of digital signals. 

A higher sampling rate captures more frequency components, improving the frequency response but increasing CPU load. 

Standard sampling rates include:

• 44.1 kHz
• 48 kHz
• 96 kHz
• 192 kHz

Each with a Nyquist frequency of half the sampling rate. 

For most music production, 48 kHz is the best balance of audio quality and performance, while 96 kHz is useful for extreme sound manipulation.

This could be for things like granular synthesis or heavy time-stretching.

Keep in mind that plugins that generate additional harmonics, such as distortion, saturation, and FM synths, can introduce unwanted aliasing artifacts.

But only if the sampling frequency isn’t high enough. 

Also, some digital systems allow internal oversampling, which processes audio at a higher sampling rate temporarily.

This filters out unwanted alias frequency reflections before returning to the original rate. 

NOTE: If a plugin doesn’t have an oversampling option, manually increasing the project’s sampling rate or applying a low-pass filter to remove frequencies near the Nyquist frequency can help. 

When choosing a sampling rate, it’s important to consider not only the original signal, but also how effects processing will impact the final output signal.

Aliasing: Breaking it Down

Another thing you have to fully understand to master what is the Nyquist frequency is aliasing (super, super vital).

Aliasing happens when an input signal contains frequency components above the Nyquist frequency, causing unwanted harmonic reflections in the output signal. 

When the sampling process can’t accurately capture a waveform’s high frequencies, the result is an aliased signal 一 distorted audio that wasn’t part of the original signal. 

This is super noticeable in synths, aggressive EQ boosts, and high-frequency percussion when the sampling frequency isn’t high enough.

Certain effects (like bitcrushing and extreme pitch shifting) also introduce unwanted aliasing artifacts if they aren’t handled properly. 

Remember, some digital systems apply anti-aliasing filters before the signal is sampled to minimize these errors. 

So, if aliasing is present in a mix, switching to a higher sampling rate or using plugins with built-in oversampling can help prevent the issue.

• Pro Tip: How to Prevent/Avoid Aliasing

To avoid aliasing, you’ll have to start with the right sampling rate based on the maximum frequency components in your audio. 

A 48 kHz sampling rate provides a Nyquist frequency of 24 kHz, which covers most real-world sounds. 

If you’re working with high-frequency synths, cymbals, or extreme processing, 96 kHz extends the Nyquist frequency to 48 kHz.

It reduces unwanted reflections and high-end smearing.

Plugins that introduce harmonics, like distortion, saturation, and modulation effects, often push frequencies beyond the Nyquist frequency, creating aliasing artifacts. 

And many distortion plugins offer 2x, 4x, or 8x oversampling, processing at a higher sampling rate before filtering the output signal. 

If your plugin doesn’t have oversampling, you can manually increase the sampling rate or using linear-phase EQs like FabFilter Pro-Q 4 to remove frequencies above 18-20 kHz can help prevent harshness.

For frequency modulation and wavetable synths, adjusting alias frequency settings prevents unwanted harmonics from folding back into the output signal. 

FM synths like Serum and FM8 include band-limited oscillators, keeping modulation clean, while wavetable synths use high-quality interpolation modes to avoid alias frequency issues when modulating pitch or filter position.

If aliasing is already present, you can export at a higher sampling rate and apply a low-pass filter near the corner frequency to reduce artifacts. 

When it comes to mastering, keep the sampling frequency high before downsampling for clarity 一 preventing aliasing artifacts when converting for streaming.

And to recap: for extreme sound manipulation, like pitch-shifting and granular synthesis, doubling the sampling frequency before processing helps maintain transients and signal integrity. 

Time-stretching tools like Elastique Pro work better at higher sampling rates, ensuring cleaner results when slowing down audio. 

For granular synthesis, a higher sampling rate prevents harmonic smearing, keeping individual grains clear and natural.

Bonus: Advanced Topics

Understanding what is the Nyquist frequency is only part of the equation… You should play around with some more advanced topics as well. So, let’s break it down.

#1. Bit Depth

When dealing with high-fidelity digital signals bit depth plays an equally important role in preserving signal amplitude and dynamic range. 

A 16-bit depth file provides 65,536 digital values, but a 24-bit depth file increases this to 16,777,216 digital values.

It reduces quantization noise and captures more subtle volume changes. 

Higher bit depth is perfect for extreme processing scenarios, such as: 

• Heavy compression
• Transient shaping
• Extreme reverb decay

Anything where maintaining digital representation accuracy is key, really.

A 32-bit float format goes even further…

It allows for greater headroom when applying gain staging, complex EQ adjustments, or high-ratio limiting without introducing unwanted distortion.

#2. The Corner Frequency

The corner frequency of an anti-aliasing filter is another key factor in ensuring a smooth output signal when working with aggressive processing. 

If set too low, it may remove frequencies that are still useful in shaping the high-end clarity of a mix.

On the flip side, if it’s set too high, unwanted harmonic reflections can interfere with the frequency response. 

When designing sound for synth leads, cinematic pads, or harmonic-rich basses, adjusting the corner frequency within filtering plugins will help you make sure you have a controlled roll-off.

One that prevents unwanted aliasing artifacts without dulling the overall mix. 

Some mastering limiters allow manual corner frequency adjustments, making it possible to fine-tune how high-frequency energy is shaped before finalizing an export.

#3. Alias Frequency Settings

Inside synthesizers and digital systems, alias frequency settings provide additional control over how high-frequency oscillations behave.

This is especially true when using FM synthesis or extreme modulation rates. 

In wavetable synths, lowering the alias frequency reduces unwanted sidebands in high-pitched leads.

In distortion-heavy bass design, increasing the alias frequency allows for crisper harmonics without generating a harsh, folded-back aliased signal. 

Some synth engines let users apply band-limited oscillators, which automatically adjust aliasing behavior based on the sampling frequency.

This ensures a cleaner digital representation when layering multiple oscillators.

#4. Extreme Processing Techniques

For extreme processing techniques, you’ll want to use twice the bandwidth or a sampling rate far beyond the necessary range.

This will give you cleaner results when pushing a continuous signal to its limits. 

If you’re messing around with spectral sound design (where audio is broken into tiny grains and manipulated across a frequency spectrum) higher bit depth prevents unwanted digital smearing when stretching a sound beyond its natural range. 

Also, when resampling heavily processed sounds, recording at twice the Nyquist frequency before bouncing down to the final sampling frequency ensures a smoother transition without aliasing. 

High-end time-stretching algorithms usually benefit from an initial oversampling pass 一 capturing the original data at a higher sampling rate before rendering it at the final export settings. 

Understanding these advanced techniques will help you learn all about what is the Nyquist frequency.

This way it won’t become a limiting factor in achieving pristine audio quality, even in the most extreme of processing workflows.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it: everything you need to know to answer the question, “what is the Nyquist frequency?” 

With all this knowledge, you’ll be able to successfully choose the right sampling rate, prevent aliasing, and process sound without unwanted distortion. 

Plus, you’ll know how to adjust alias frequency settings in synths, use oversampling when needed, and apply anti-aliasing techniques for a clean mix. 

Just remember, it’s all about understanding frequency response and how digital signals are processed, really.

So don’t ignore how your sampling rate affects your mix, otherwise you could end up with harsh, unnatural artifacts, and nobody has time for that.

And, as a special bonus, you’ve got to check out all these legendary Free Sample Packs that are making major waves right now. 

There’s everything you could need to make a killer beat, from melodies and basslines to full-blown beatmaker packs and drum kits. 

They were all created by the best producers and sound designers in the game, plus they’re 100% royalty-free, so feel free to use them however you’d like. 

Regardless of genre or style, you’ll definitely find something to enhance your skills and make your beats really pop.

Bottom line, when you’re learning what is the Nyquist frequency, you have to think about how sampling rate, bit depth, and aliasing prevention all work together. 

Plus, make sure that your plugins handle harmonics properly, your synths are set up to minimize unwanted artifacts, and your final exports are optimized for clean playback. 

This way, your tracks will always sound professional, smooth, and crystal clear 一 just remember to keep practicing, trying out new things, and pushing the limits. 

This way, you’ll be able to control every detail of your sound and mix like never before.

Until next time…