Stair Stepping

Stair-Stepping is the audible artifact caused by sweeping an audio parameter (like volume, EQ, filter cutoff frequency, or timbre) in discreet increments as opposed to a smooth analog curve. When these parameters are under digital control it is generally desirable to have the data contain enough information or resolution to make the change via many small steps instead of fewer larger ones. If the steps are small enough we will perceive the change as a smooth one. If not, we hear the phenomenon known as stair stepping.