Generation loss is the cumulative degradation of audio or video quality that happens when duplicating analog tapes or repeatedly compressing digital files. In analog systems, each copy introduces additional background noise and high-frequency roll-off. In digital systems, passing a file through lossy compression algorithms multiple times creates compression artifacts and smears detail.
We can't run this audio through the streaming encoder again, the generation loss is already making it sound underwater.
Related terms
Lossy
Characterized by the degradation of signal strength or the permanent discarding of data.
Digital decay
The gradual loss, corruption, or inaccessibility of digital data over time.
Streaming encoder
A device or software application that converts raw audio and video into compressed digital formats for live internet broadcast.