Which device is used to convert an analog signal to a digital signal?

The device that is specifically designed for converting an analog signal to a digital signal is the analog to digital converter. This conversion process is essential in many electronic applications, where analog signals, which vary continuously, need to be digitized so they can be used by digital devices that operate with discrete values.

Analog to digital converters sample the input analog signal at regular intervals and then represent these samples as binary numbers, effectively transforming the continuous signal into a format that can be processed by computers and digital systems. This process enables the manipulation, storage, and transmission of audio and video data in digital form, making it possible for devices like computers and smartphones to use the information captured from the analog world.

Other devices such as digital recorders, sample rate adjusters, and digital mixers serve different functions. Digital recorders capture and store sound in a digital format but do not perform the conversion from analog to digital. Sample rate adjusters modify the frequency of the sample rate of digital audio but do not handle the analog signal directly. Digital mixers integrate multiple digital audio signals but again operate only within the digital domain.