Sampling rates refer to the frequency at which samples of a continuous signal are taken to convert it into a digital format. For example, in audio recording, a common sampling rate is 44.1 kHz, meaning 44,100 samples are captured every second. This rate helps to accurately represent the original sound wave, ensuring that the quality of the audio remains high. Higher sampling rates can capture more detail but also result in larger file sizes. Conversely, lower sampling rates may lead to a loss of quality, particularly in complex sounds. Choosing the right sampling rate is essential for balancing quality and file size in digital media.