Once sound is recorded, it can be copied, compressed, edited and transformed using a sound processing program that can run on a modern personal computer. This is another example of the progression of tools from the research lab to professional application to the general public.
The most common audio applications are the recording and distribution of speech and music which is transforming the music industry and radio industries and voice over IP (VOIP), which is transforming the telephone industry. We will cover these separately, but first, let us look at three other audio application areas: