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Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
1
Produce a glossary of terms specific to the methods and principles of sound design and production. Using a provided template, you must
research and gather definitions specific to provided glossary terms. Any definitions must be referenced with the URL link of the website you
have obtained the definition.
You must also, where possible, provide specific details of how researched definitions relate to your own production practice.
Name: Christopher
Lucas
RESEARCHED DEFINITION (provide short internet researched
definition and URL link)
DESCRIBE THE RELEVANCE OF THE RESEARCHED TERM
TO YOUR OWN PRODUCTION PRACTICE?
SOUND DESIGN
METHODOLOGY
Foley Artistry Foley is the reproduction ofeveryday sound effects that are added to
film,video, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_%28filmmaking%29
FoleyArtistryallows me to make my audiomore realistic and
or more exaggeration.
Sound Libraries Collection ofsounds stored on file (for example on CDs,DVDs, or as
digital audio files).
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sound-library
A sound libraryis useful as it can let you store tons of sounds
and audio files andit thencanbe uploaded and downloadedto
cloud allowingyou to use andmove your files from any
location.
SOUND FILE
FORMATS
Uncompressed Uncompressed is to minimize additional artifacts from recompression.
http://www.yourdictionary.com/uncompressed
Uncompressed
.wav Multimedia, file format, filename extension
(waveform) /wav/, /dot wav/ A sound formatdeveloped by Micr
osoft and used extensively in Microsoft Windows.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wav
.Wavis a file format and is quite practicalas it is verysimple
and small making it veryeasyto store, allowingit to be used in
a lot of different programs.
.aiff Short for Audio Interchange File Format, a common formatfor storing
and transmitting sampled sound.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/AIFF.html
.Aiff allows me to easilystore andtransfer mysounds and
audiowhichis veryuseful if I need to use anyof mysounds
from anylocation.
.au Short for audio, a common formatfor sound files on UNIX machines.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/AU.html v
.Au is a great format if youare planning to be programming as
this mainlyusedwithprogramJava.
.smp Short for Symmetric Multiprocessing,a computer architecture that
provides fastperformance by making multiple CPUs available to
complete individual processes simultaneously(multiprocessing).
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html
.SMP allows me to use multiple processors while still onlyusing
one main operating system allowingme to get mywork
finished a lot faster thannormal.
Lossy
Compression
Refers to data compression techniques in which some amountof data is
lost.Lossycompression technologies attemptto eliminate redundantor
unnecessaryinformation.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/L/lossy_compression.html
Lossycompressionallows me to reconstruct compressed data
after editing andalsoremoves anyredundant information.
Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
2
.mp3 a computer file format for the compression and storage of
digital audio data.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mp3
.Mp3 is a quite common format because it is usedto create a
small file whichcanthenbe played and it is verygoodas it
doesn’t take upmuch storage on mobile devices.
AUDIO
LIMITATIONS
Sound
Processor Unit
(SPU)
A sound card converts digital data to sound.This allows you to listen to
music from your computer using speakers or headphones.
http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-sound-card-definition-
function-types.html
The SPU allows me to concert anydigital data intoto a sound
format and thenI am able to listen to it througheither
headphonesor evenspeakers.
Digital Sound
Processor (DSP)
A digital signalprocessor (DSP) is a specializedmicroprocessor designed
specificallyfor digital signal processing, generallyinreal-time computing.
http://www.audiocodes.com/glossary/dsp
DSPis a microprocessor that optimizes the operation of
creating a file througha digital signal processing.
Random Access
Memory (RAM)
RAM(pronounced ram)is anacronym for random access memory, a type of
computer memorythat canbe accessed randomly;that is, anybyte ofmemory
can be accessedwithout touching the precedingbytes.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html
RAMis important as it’s what your computer needs to quickly
acquire andaccessdata which allows it to runapplications and
the more RAMyou have the faster your computer will process.
Mono Audio Commonlycalledmonosound, mono, or non-stereosound, this earlysound
systemuseda single channel of audio for soundoutput.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/monophonic_sound.html
Mono Audio is a signal that is sent to soundsystems which
then encodes a single streamof sound, whichallows it to be
usedbyone speaker.
Stereo Audio Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method ofsound
reproductionthat createsanillusionof directionalityandaudible perspective.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound
Stereo Audiois a methodof sound reproductionthat is able to
create illusions of perspective anddirectionalitycreating an all-
round better experience of audio.
Surround
Sound
A system of soundrecording andreproductionthat uses three or more
independent recording channels andloudspeakers inorder to give the
impression that the listener is surrounded bythe sound sources.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/surround+sound
SurroundSoundis commonlyusedincinemas where people
use multiple speakers fromdifferent directions givinga better
experience andfeeling.
Direct Audio
(Pulse Code
Modulation –
PCM)
Pulse-code modulation(PCM) is a methodusedto digitallyrepresent sampled
analogue signals. It is the standardform ofdigital audioincomputers, Compact
Discs, digitaltelephonyand other digital audioapplications.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-code_modulation
Direct Audio - PCMis usedto represent a sample ofanalogue
signals and is the standard formof digital audio.
AUDIO
RECORDING
SYSTEMS
Analogue An analogue recordingis one that is made bychanging the sound waves into
electricalsignals ofthe same type.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/analogue
The Analogue is a recording that changesto alternative sound
waves like electrical signalsof the same type.
Digital Mini
Disc
A digital disc mediumfor storing music or data where a smalldisc is housed in
a cartridge andis either recordable or playback.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/minidisc
The digital mini disc is used for storingmusic andit can
averagelyholdup to 140MB.
Compact Disc
(CD)
A compact disc [sometimesspelleddisk](CD) is a small, portable,round
medium made of mouldedpolymer (close insize to the floppydisk)for
electronicallyrecording, storing, andplaying backaudio, video, text, andother
informationin digitalform.
A CD is a small, portable, round, polymer disk usedfor
recording, storingand playingaudio, videoandother
informationin digitalform.
Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
3
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/compact-disc
Digital Audio
Tape (DAT)
DAT (Digital AudioTape)is a standard mediumandtechnologyfor the digital
recording ofaudio ontape at a professional level ofquality.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/DAT-Digital-Audio-Tape
DAT is a medium recording device for recording audioat a
professional quality.
MIDI A protocol designed for recording andplaying backmusic on digital
synthesizers that is supportedbymanymakesof personal computer sound
cards.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/MIDI-Musical-Instrument-Digital-
Interface
MIDI is a format designedfor recording and playingback audio
and is supported bya highamount of computer software.
Software
Sequencers
In digital audiorecording, a sequencer is a program in a computer or stand-
alone keyboard unit that puts together a soundsequence from a series (or
sequence)of MusicalInstrument Digital Interface ( MIDI ) events (operations).
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer
A sequencer is a computer or stand-alone keyboard unit that
creates a series of sounds using musicalinstrument digital
interface.
Software Plug-
ins
Software that is installedintoanexisting applicationin order to enhance its
capability. For example, plug-ins are widelyusedinimage editing programs
such as Photoshopto addsome special effect. Plug-ins are added to Web
browsers to enable themto support different types of content (audio, video,
etc.). The term is widelyused for software, but can alsorefer to a plug-in
module for hardware.
http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/49395/plug-in
Software plug-ins adds specific features andeffects to your
sounds. I recentlyused VST; thisallowed me to edit certain key
sounds inmore detail.
MIDI Keyboard
Instruments
A MusicalInstrument Digital Interface (MIDI) keyboardis a musicalinstrument
like a piano keyboard. The MIDI portionindicates that the instrument has a
communicationprotocol built inthat allows it to communicate with a
computer or other MIDI-equippedinstrument.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-midi-keyboard.htm
A MIDI keyboard is a musical instrument similar to a piano,
that has a pre-set protocol allowingit to communicate to your
computer or other MIDI based software.
AUDIO
SAMPLING
File Size
Constraints -
Bit-depth
In digital audio, there has to be a certainvalue set for describing the resolution
of the sound data (samples) that is to be captured and storedin an audio file --
this attribute is calledBit Depth.
http://mp3.about.com/od/musiclibrarymaintenance/
Bit it depthis the smalls bits of data ina sample, these
correspond withthe resolution.
File Size
Constraints -
Sample Rate
In developing an audio soundfor computers or telecommunication, the sample
rate is the number of samples ofa sound that are takenper second to
represent the event digitally.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sample-rate
The sample rate is a number of sounds that are recordedand
taken to represent a digital event.

More Related Content

Sound recording glossary improved

  • 1. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 1 Produce a glossary of terms specific to the methods and principles of sound design and production. Using a provided template, you must research and gather definitions specific to provided glossary terms. Any definitions must be referenced with the URL link of the website you have obtained the definition. You must also, where possible, provide specific details of how researched definitions relate to your own production practice. Name: Christopher Lucas RESEARCHED DEFINITION (provide short internet researched definition and URL link) DESCRIBE THE RELEVANCE OF THE RESEARCHED TERM TO YOUR OWN PRODUCTION PRACTICE? SOUND DESIGN METHODOLOGY Foley Artistry Foley is the reproduction ofeveryday sound effects that are added to film,video, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_%28filmmaking%29 FoleyArtistryallows me to make my audiomore realistic and or more exaggeration. Sound Libraries Collection ofsounds stored on file (for example on CDs,DVDs, or as digital audio files). http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sound-library A sound libraryis useful as it can let you store tons of sounds and audio files andit thencanbe uploaded and downloadedto cloud allowingyou to use andmove your files from any location. SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed Uncompressed is to minimize additional artifacts from recompression. http://www.yourdictionary.com/uncompressed Uncompressed .wav Multimedia, file format, filename extension (waveform) /wav/, /dot wav/ A sound formatdeveloped by Micr osoft and used extensively in Microsoft Windows. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wav .Wavis a file format and is quite practicalas it is verysimple and small making it veryeasyto store, allowingit to be used in a lot of different programs. .aiff Short for Audio Interchange File Format, a common formatfor storing and transmitting sampled sound. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/AIFF.html .Aiff allows me to easilystore andtransfer mysounds and audiowhichis veryuseful if I need to use anyof mysounds from anylocation. .au Short for audio, a common formatfor sound files on UNIX machines. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/AU.html v .Au is a great format if youare planning to be programming as this mainlyusedwithprogramJava. .smp Short for Symmetric Multiprocessing,a computer architecture that provides fastperformance by making multiple CPUs available to complete individual processes simultaneously(multiprocessing). http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html .SMP allows me to use multiple processors while still onlyusing one main operating system allowingme to get mywork finished a lot faster thannormal. Lossy Compression Refers to data compression techniques in which some amountof data is lost.Lossycompression technologies attemptto eliminate redundantor unnecessaryinformation. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/L/lossy_compression.html Lossycompressionallows me to reconstruct compressed data after editing andalsoremoves anyredundant information.
  • 2. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 2 .mp3 a computer file format for the compression and storage of digital audio data. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mp3 .Mp3 is a quite common format because it is usedto create a small file whichcanthenbe played and it is verygoodas it doesn’t take upmuch storage on mobile devices. AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) A sound card converts digital data to sound.This allows you to listen to music from your computer using speakers or headphones. http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-sound-card-definition- function-types.html The SPU allows me to concert anydigital data intoto a sound format and thenI am able to listen to it througheither headphonesor evenspeakers. Digital Sound Processor (DSP) A digital signalprocessor (DSP) is a specializedmicroprocessor designed specificallyfor digital signal processing, generallyinreal-time computing. http://www.audiocodes.com/glossary/dsp DSPis a microprocessor that optimizes the operation of creating a file througha digital signal processing. Random Access Memory (RAM) RAM(pronounced ram)is anacronym for random access memory, a type of computer memorythat canbe accessed randomly;that is, anybyte ofmemory can be accessedwithout touching the precedingbytes. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html RAMis important as it’s what your computer needs to quickly acquire andaccessdata which allows it to runapplications and the more RAMyou have the faster your computer will process. Mono Audio Commonlycalledmonosound, mono, or non-stereosound, this earlysound systemuseda single channel of audio for soundoutput. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/monophonic_sound.html Mono Audio is a signal that is sent to soundsystems which then encodes a single streamof sound, whichallows it to be usedbyone speaker. Stereo Audio Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method ofsound reproductionthat createsanillusionof directionalityandaudible perspective. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound Stereo Audiois a methodof sound reproductionthat is able to create illusions of perspective anddirectionalitycreating an all- round better experience of audio. Surround Sound A system of soundrecording andreproductionthat uses three or more independent recording channels andloudspeakers inorder to give the impression that the listener is surrounded bythe sound sources. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/surround+sound SurroundSoundis commonlyusedincinemas where people use multiple speakers fromdifferent directions givinga better experience andfeeling. Direct Audio (Pulse Code Modulation – PCM) Pulse-code modulation(PCM) is a methodusedto digitallyrepresent sampled analogue signals. It is the standardform ofdigital audioincomputers, Compact Discs, digitaltelephonyand other digital audioapplications. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-code_modulation Direct Audio - PCMis usedto represent a sample ofanalogue signals and is the standard formof digital audio. AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue An analogue recordingis one that is made bychanging the sound waves into electricalsignals ofthe same type. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/analogue The Analogue is a recording that changesto alternative sound waves like electrical signalsof the same type. Digital Mini Disc A digital disc mediumfor storing music or data where a smalldisc is housed in a cartridge andis either recordable or playback. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/minidisc The digital mini disc is used for storingmusic andit can averagelyholdup to 140MB. Compact Disc (CD) A compact disc [sometimesspelleddisk](CD) is a small, portable,round medium made of mouldedpolymer (close insize to the floppydisk)for electronicallyrecording, storing, andplaying backaudio, video, text, andother informationin digitalform. A CD is a small, portable, round, polymer disk usedfor recording, storingand playingaudio, videoandother informationin digitalform.
  • 3. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 3 http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/compact-disc Digital Audio Tape (DAT) DAT (Digital AudioTape)is a standard mediumandtechnologyfor the digital recording ofaudio ontape at a professional level ofquality. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/DAT-Digital-Audio-Tape DAT is a medium recording device for recording audioat a professional quality. MIDI A protocol designed for recording andplaying backmusic on digital synthesizers that is supportedbymanymakesof personal computer sound cards. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/MIDI-Musical-Instrument-Digital- Interface MIDI is a format designedfor recording and playingback audio and is supported bya highamount of computer software. Software Sequencers In digital audiorecording, a sequencer is a program in a computer or stand- alone keyboard unit that puts together a soundsequence from a series (or sequence)of MusicalInstrument Digital Interface ( MIDI ) events (operations). http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer A sequencer is a computer or stand-alone keyboard unit that creates a series of sounds using musicalinstrument digital interface. Software Plug- ins Software that is installedintoanexisting applicationin order to enhance its capability. For example, plug-ins are widelyusedinimage editing programs such as Photoshopto addsome special effect. Plug-ins are added to Web browsers to enable themto support different types of content (audio, video, etc.). The term is widelyused for software, but can alsorefer to a plug-in module for hardware. http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/49395/plug-in Software plug-ins adds specific features andeffects to your sounds. I recentlyused VST; thisallowed me to edit certain key sounds inmore detail. MIDI Keyboard Instruments A MusicalInstrument Digital Interface (MIDI) keyboardis a musicalinstrument like a piano keyboard. The MIDI portionindicates that the instrument has a communicationprotocol built inthat allows it to communicate with a computer or other MIDI-equippedinstrument. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-midi-keyboard.htm A MIDI keyboard is a musical instrument similar to a piano, that has a pre-set protocol allowingit to communicate to your computer or other MIDI based software. AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-depth In digital audio, there has to be a certainvalue set for describing the resolution of the sound data (samples) that is to be captured and storedin an audio file -- this attribute is calledBit Depth. http://mp3.about.com/od/musiclibrarymaintenance/ Bit it depthis the smalls bits of data ina sample, these correspond withthe resolution. File Size Constraints - Sample Rate In developing an audio soundfor computers or telecommunication, the sample rate is the number of samples ofa sound that are takenper second to represent the event digitally. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sample-rate The sample rate is a number of sounds that are recordedand taken to represent a digital event.