Audio artifacts are unwanted sounds or distortions that occur during the recording, processing, or playback of audio. These can include issues like clicks, pops, or static noise, which can detract from the overall quality of the sound. Artifacts often arise from compression, poor equipment, or low-quality recordings. Common types of audio artifacts include aliasing, which happens when high-frequency sounds are misrepresented, and digital clipping, where the audio signal exceeds the maximum level, causing distortion. Understanding these artifacts is essential for audio engineers and musicians to ensure clear and high-quality sound in their work.