The purpose of this standard is to provide common terminology and test methods for describing the performance of waveform recorders. It is meant for users and manufacturers of these devices. The main body presents many performance features, sources of error, and test methods. The tests are meant to be used by manufacturers to locate and correct sources of error in the hardware. The information in this standard can also be applied by users to correct some of the errors by software processing after the signal has been recorded. Another planned use for this standard is to aid users in writing specifications for purchasing new waveform recorders.