Quiescent Noise

Quiescent noise is the measurement of overall noise in an empty recording/listening space, such as a studio control room. The measurement is derived from the combined operating noise produced by internal components from all audio devices, as well as all external noise in the listening space, such as the hum from fluorescent lights, HVAC equipment, traffic noise etc. Sometimes quiescent noise is used as a synonym for noise floor, which leads to confusion, since they are two different things.