Which of the following impacts sound quality in production?

Sampling rate significantly impacts sound quality in audio production because it determines how often a sound wave is sampled per second when converting an analog signal into a digital format. A higher sampling rate captures more detail and nuance of the original sound, resulting in a clearer, higher-fidelity reproduction. This is crucial for ensuring that the nuances and dynamics of the audio are preserved, particularly in complex musical pieces.

On the other hand, while output level can affect how sound is perceived, it doesn't change the underlying quality of the recording itself. Composition techniques and instrument choice also contribute to the overall sound and artistic expression but do not directly influence the technical fidelity of the audio recording as sampling rate does. Thus, understanding sampling rate is key to producing high-quality audio.