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Sound recording glossary improved version

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Nathan Mather has produced a glossary of terms related to sound design and production. The glossary contains definitions for terms such as foley artistry, sound libraries, uncompressed audio files, .wav files, .aiff files, .au files, .smp files, lossy compression, .mp3 files, sound processor units, digital sound processors, random access memory, mono audio, stereo audio, and surround sound. For each term, Nathan provides a short definition from an online source as well as his own experience with how the term relates to his production practice.

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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: Nathan Mather 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 artists match liv e sound ef f ects with the action of the picture. The sound ef f ects are laid "manually " and not cut in with f ilm. http://www.filmsound.org/terminology/foley.htm I understandthat a foleyartist must make sure that the soundis in time withthe image to ensure the video looks as good as it can be. Sound Libraries a collectionof sounds storedonfile (for example onCDs, DVDs, or as digital audio files) http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sound-library I know that a soundlibrarysuch as a CD of a DVD is useful for transporting soundfiles andvideo files to different locations. I have gained an experience usingsound libraries, this is whenusing reaper. I useda soundlibraryto find different sounds that I have editedto create a soundtrack. SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed Uncompressed audio files are the most accurate digital representation of a soundwave, but can also be the most resource-intensive method of recording and storing digital audio, both in terms of storage and management. Their accuracy makes them suitable for archiving and delivering audio at high resolution, and w orking with audio at a professionallevel, and they are the 'master' audio format of choice. http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/uncompressed-audio-file-formats I now understandthat an uncompressed audiofile is the most accurate and most resourceful method ofrecording/ storing digital audio.
Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 2 .wav A Wave fileis anaudiofileformat, created byMicrosoft, that has becomea standard PCaudio file format for everything from system and gamesounds to CD-qualityaudio. AWave file is identified bya filenameextension ofWAV (.wav). Usedprimarilyin PCs,theWavefileformat has beenaccepted as a viableinterchange mediumfor othercomputerplatforms,such as Macintosh.This allows contentdevelopers tofreely moveaudiofiles between platforms for processing, for example. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Wave-file I know nowthat a .wavfile is an audioformat whichis used as the standardfile format for devices such a PCor a CD. I have had experience using.wavfileswhilst using reaper soundsoftware. The experience that I have gainedisa when exporting aneditedpiece of soundintoa .wavfile that I can listen to at anypoint. .aiff Stands for "Audio Interchange File Format." AIFF is a file format designed to store audio data. It was developed by Apple Computer, but is based on Electronic Arts' IFF (Interchange File Format), a container format originally used on Amiga systems. http://techterms.com/definition/aiff I understandthat .aiffstands for audiointerchange file format, and is designedfor storing audiodata. .au AU is a file extension for a sound file format belonging to Sun, NeXT and DEC and used in UNIX. The AU file format is also known as the Sparc-audio or u-law fomat.AU files contain three parts: the audio data and text for a header (containing 24 bytes) and an annotation block. http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/AU- Sun-NeXT-DEC-UNIX-sound-file I now that .au is a file extension for a soundfile format. I also understandthat a .aufile is made of three components:the audio data;the text for a header and an annotationblock. .smp Short for Symmetric M ultiprocessing, a computer architecture that provides fast performance by making multiple CPUs available to complete individual processes simultaneously (multiprocessing). http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html I know that .smp is short for Symmetric MultiProcessing and allows multiple CPUs to complete an individual process simultaneously. Lossy Compression Lossless and lossy compression areterms that describewhether or not, in the compression of a file,all original data can berecovered when the fileis uncompressed. With losslesscompression,every singlebitof data that was originally in thefileremains after the fileis uncompressed.All of the information is completely restored. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/lossless-and-lossy- compression I understandthat lossy compressionmeans that whena compressedfile is uncompressed some ofthe data which wasinthe originalfile will be lost. .mp3 MP3 files are music or sound filesthat are digitallyrecorded and compressed and can be savedonyour computer's harddiskto be played back. The filesavailable from PlayDigital are allinthe MP3 file format, and canbe played back via Windows Media Player, iTunes or a large selectionof different third partymusic-playing I know that .mp3 files are music of soundfiles whichare digitally recordedandcompressed, which are thenable to be saved into a
Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 3 software. Theycanalso be copiedto CD or a portable music player, suchas aniPod or anyother MP3 player. http://help.play.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/79/~/what-does-mp3-mean%3F computer’s hard disk to be played back. I nowhave an understanding of .mp3 files. I have gained thisexperience by rendering manydifferent sound effects which I have created. Once rendered, the soundeffects became .mp3 files. AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) Alternatively referred to as a sound board or audio card, a sound card is anexpansion card or integrated circuit that provides a computer with the ability to produce sound that can be perceived by the user through a peripheral device likespeakers or headphones. Although the computer does not need a sound device to function, they are included on every machine in one form or another; either in anexpansion slot (sound card) or on the motherboard (onboard). http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/souncard.htm I now understandthat a sound processor unit is referredto as an audiocardwhichprovides a computer which allows it to play soundthrough devices like speakers or headphones. Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Digital signal processing(DSP) refers to various techniques for improvingthe accuracyand reliabilityof digitalcommunications. The theorybehindDSPis quite complex. Basically, DSPworks byclarifying, or standardizing, the levels or states of a digitalsignal. ADSPcircuit is able to differentiate betweenhuman-made signals,which are orderly, and noise, which is inherentlychaotic. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/digital-signal-processing-DSP I understandthat a digital sound processor or DSPrefers to the techniques whichcanbe usedto improve the reliabilityif digital communications, andworks by standardisingthe levels of a digital sound. Random Access Memory (RAM) A lternatively referred to as main memory, primary memory, or system memory,Random Access Memory (RAM) is a computer storage location that allows information to be stored and accessed quickly from random locations within DRAM on a memory module. Because information is accessed randomly instead of sequentially like it is on a C D or hard drive, the computer can access the data much faster. However, unlike RO M and the hard drive RA M is a volatile memory and requires power in order to keep the data accessible, if power is lost all data contained in memory lost. http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/r/ram.htm I know that randomaccess memory(RAM) alsoknown as primarymemoryallows informationto be storedquickly from random locations but the data needs power to be accessible otherwise the RAMstored data is lost. I have hadexperience with RAMin the past. I knowthat it is an amount of memoryon a computer. I have hadto manage my RAMto avoid runningout of space to store files. Mono Audio 1. Mono Audio. When you're using headphones, you may miss some I now understandthat mono audiois the distinction between
Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 4 audio if you're deaf or hard of hearing in one ear. That's because stereo recordings usually have distinct left- and right- channel audio tracks. https://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/ the left and right channelof devices like headphones. Stereo Audio 1. Audio stereo means sound which is divided into two separate channels. These two channels are played back simultaneouslyvia separate speakers. The effect is to create a fuller sound,and provide the ability to mix certain sounds between channels. www.mediacollege.com/glossary/s/stereo.html I know nowthat stereoaudiois when soundis divided into two separate channels via speakers which is to create a fuller sound. Surround Sound )Surround sound is a term used to describe a type of audio output in w hich the sound appears to "surround the listener" by 360 degrees. Surround sound systems use three or more channels and speakers in front and behind the listener to create a surrounding envelope of sound and directional audio sources. The term surround sound has become popular in recent years and more commonly used since the advent of home theater systems. Surround sound can be either an analog or digital system. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/surround_sound.html I understandthat surroundsound is whensoundis divided into three or more channelsplayed through separate speakers which surround a person 360 degrees which is designedto give perspective ofdirections. Direct Audio (Pulse Code Modulation – PCM) Pulse code modulation (PCM) is a digital representation of an analog signal that takes samples of the amplitude of the analog signal at regular intervals. The sampled analog data is changed to, and then represented by, binary data. PCM requires a very accurate clock. The number of samples per second, ranging from8,000 to 192,000, is usually severaltimes the maximum frequency of the analog w aveformin Hertz (Hz), or cycles per second, which ranges from 8 to 192 KHz. http://www.techopedia.com/definition/24128/pulse-code-modulation- pcm I know that direct audiois a representation of ananalog signal which takes samples of the amplitude ofthe analog signal. AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue Referstorecordingaudioin a format of continuous vibrationsthat are analogous to the original sound waves. Before audiorecordingbecame digital, soundswere "carved"into v inyl records or writtentotape as magnetic waveforms. Contrast with digital audio. http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/60827/analog-audio Analog is the recordingina format of continuous vibrations analogous to the original sound waves. Digital Mini Disc One easy w ay to thinkabout a MiniDisc is like a floppy disk -- you can record and erase files on a MiniDisc just as easily as you can on a floppy disk. The big difference betw een the a MiniDisc and a floppy diskis that a MiniDisc can hold about 100 times more data (about 140 megabytes in data mode, 160 megabytes in audio mode vs. 1.44 megabytes for a floppy). http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question55.htm I understandthat a digital mini diskis like a floppydisk, it is just as easyto record anderase files on a mini diskthanon a floppy diskbut a mini diskis able to hold 100 times more data. Compact Disc (CD) Stands for "Compact Disc." CDs are circular discs that are 4.75 in (12 cm) in diameter.The CD standard was proposed by Sony and Philips in 1980 and the technology was introduced to the U.S. market in 1983. CDs can hold up to 700 MB of data or 80 minutes of audio.The data on a CD is stored as small notches I know that a CD (compact disk) can hold around700MB of data or 80 minutes ofaudio.
Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 5 on the disc and is read by a laser from an optical drive.The drives translate the notches (which represent 1's and 0's) into usable data. http://techterms.com/definition/cd Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Digital Audio Tape (DAT or R-DAT) is a signalrecording andplaybackmedium developedbySonyandintroducedin1987.[1] In appearance it is similar to a compact audiocassette, using 4 mm magnetic tape enclosedina protective shell, but is roughlyhalfthe size at 73 mm × 54 mm × 10.5 mm. As the name suggests, the recording isdigital rather thananalog. DAT has the abilityto recordat higher, equal or lower sampling rates thana CD (48, 44.1 or 32 kHz sampling rate respectively) at 16 bits quantization. Ifa digitalsource is copiedthen the DAT will produce anexact clone, unlike other digital media suchas Digital Compact Cassette or non-Hi- MD MiniDisc, bothof whichuse lossydata compression. http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Digital_Audio_Tape.html I now knowthat a digitalaudio tape is a signalrecording and playback device. It records digital audioinsteadof analog andhas the abiliyto record at higher, equal to or lower samplingrates than a CD. MIDI MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol designedfor recording and playing backmusic on digitalsynthesizers that is supportedbymanymakes of personalcomputer soundcards. Originallyintendedto control one keyboard from another, it was quicklyadopted for the personal computer. Rather than representingmusical sound directly, it transmits informationabout howmusic is produced. The commandset includes note-ons, note-offs, keyvelocity, pitch bend and other methods of controlling a synthesizer. The sound waves producedare those alreadystoredina wavetable in the receiving instrument or soundcard. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/MIDI-Musical-Instrument-Digital-Interface I understandthat MIDI is a designedfor recordingandplaying back audio oddigital synthesizers and is supported bymanymakes of sound card. Software Sequencers In digitalaudiorecording, a sequencer is a programin a computer or stand-alone keyboard unit that puts together a sound sequencefrom a series (or sequence) ofMusicalInstrument Digital Interface( MIDI ) events (operations). TheMIDI sequencerallows theuserto record and edit a musical performancewithout using anaudio-basedinputsource. Theperformance is recordedas a series ofevents that wouldordinarily be played infrom a keyboard instrument. The MIDI sequencer does not recordtheactualaudio, but ratherthe events related tothe performance -whatnotewas played at what time, howhard the key was pressed,when did the sustain pedalgetdepressed,and soforth. This data is thenplayed back into a MIDI instrumentor sound module. Using this method,theperformercan select a piano soundfor a musical passage andlater decidethat thepassagewould work betteras anorgan sound. The editor can simplychangethesound program ontheMIDI keyboard toalter thesound without needing to rerecordtheentire performance. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer I now understandthat a software sequencer is a programina computer or stand-alone keyboard whichputs together a soundsequence from a seriesof musical instrument events. Software Plug-ins Though software plug-ins might not make your room smell as nice as the scented ones you stick in an outlet, they are still useful. A software plug-in is an add-on for a program that adds functionality to it. For example, a Photoshop plug-in (such as Eye Candy) may add extra filters that you can use to manipulate images. A browser plug-in (such as Macromedia Flash or Apple QuickTime) allows you to play certain multimedia files within I understandthat a software plug in is anadd-ofor a programwhich adds functionalityto it.
Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 6 your Web browser. VST plug-ins add effects for audio recording and sequencing programs such as Cubase and Logic Audio. http://techterms.com/definition/plugin MIDI Keyboard Instruments A Musical InstrumentDigital Interface (MIDI) keyboard is a musical instrument like a piano keyboard. The MIDI portion indicates thatthe instrumenthas a communication protocol builtin that allows itto communicate with a computer or other MIDI-equipped instrument. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-midi-keyboard.htm I know that a MIDI keyboard instrument is a musical instrument like a piano. The MIDI portionshows that the instrument has a communicationprotocol built inwhich allows it to communicate to a computer or other MIDI equipment. AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit- depth Bit depth is the number ofbits used to carry the data in each sample ofaudio. The bit depth chosen for recording limits the dynamic range ofthe recording. (Other factors in the audio chain may also limitthis,so more bits often will not produce a better recording.) http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Bit_Depth I now knowthat bit depth is the number of bits usedto carrydata in eachsample ofaudio. File Size Constraints - Sample Rate 1. bitrate: simply amount of data per second, this can vary w ithin a file (variable bit rate) or have a static value 2. sample rate: a frequencyof how many times audio is measured per second, usually measured in kilohertz (kHz); a usualnumber you might see is 44.1kHz. This is tied directly to bit depth or the number of bits measured in each cycle So at this point, w e have to do some math and see that bit rate is bits per second (usually measured in Mbits/seconds), so bit rate =sample rate x bit depth. Asfar as I know , your sample size would simply be one of these one-second chunks of data. Doing the pure math w illrevealthat these files w ould be very large, how everthere are a number of compression algorithms employed to keep the files low er without losing significant quality. http://superuser.com/questions/388382/what-does-the-sample-rate- and-sample-size-of-audio-means I understandthat sample rate is a frequencyof how manytimes audiois measuredper second and is usuallymeasured inkilohertz.

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Sound recording glossary improved version

  • 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: Nathan Mather 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 artists match liv e sound ef f ects with the action of the picture. The sound ef f ects are laid "manually " and not cut in with f ilm. http://www.filmsound.org/terminology/foley.htm I understandthat a foleyartist must make sure that the soundis in time withthe image to ensure the video looks as good as it can be. Sound Libraries a collectionof sounds storedonfile (for example onCDs, DVDs, or as digital audio files) http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sound-library I know that a soundlibrarysuch as a CD of a DVD is useful for transporting soundfiles andvideo files to different locations. I have gained an experience usingsound libraries, this is whenusing reaper. I useda soundlibraryto find different sounds that I have editedto create a soundtrack. SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed Uncompressed audio files are the most accurate digital representation of a soundwave, but can also be the most resource-intensive method of recording and storing digital audio, both in terms of storage and management. Their accuracy makes them suitable for archiving and delivering audio at high resolution, and w orking with audio at a professionallevel, and they are the 'master' audio format of choice. http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/uncompressed-audio-file-formats I now understandthat an uncompressed audiofile is the most accurate and most resourceful method ofrecording/ storing digital audio.
  • 2. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 2 .wav A Wave fileis anaudiofileformat, created byMicrosoft, that has becomea standard PCaudio file format for everything from system and gamesounds to CD-qualityaudio. AWave file is identified bya filenameextension ofWAV (.wav). Usedprimarilyin PCs,theWavefileformat has beenaccepted as a viableinterchange mediumfor othercomputerplatforms,such as Macintosh.This allows contentdevelopers tofreely moveaudiofiles between platforms for processing, for example. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Wave-file I know nowthat a .wavfile is an audioformat whichis used as the standardfile format for devices such a PCor a CD. I have had experience using.wavfileswhilst using reaper soundsoftware. The experience that I have gainedisa when exporting aneditedpiece of soundintoa .wavfile that I can listen to at anypoint. .aiff Stands for "Audio Interchange File Format." AIFF is a file format designed to store audio data. It was developed by Apple Computer, but is based on Electronic Arts' IFF (Interchange File Format), a container format originally used on Amiga systems. http://techterms.com/definition/aiff I understandthat .aiffstands for audiointerchange file format, and is designedfor storing audiodata. .au AU is a file extension for a sound file format belonging to Sun, NeXT and DEC and used in UNIX. The AU file format is also known as the Sparc-audio or u-law fomat.AU files contain three parts: the audio data and text for a header (containing 24 bytes) and an annotation block. http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/AU- Sun-NeXT-DEC-UNIX-sound-file I now that .au is a file extension for a soundfile format. I also understandthat a .aufile is made of three components:the audio data;the text for a header and an annotationblock. .smp Short for Symmetric M ultiprocessing, a computer architecture that provides fast performance by making multiple CPUs available to complete individual processes simultaneously (multiprocessing). http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html I know that .smp is short for Symmetric MultiProcessing and allows multiple CPUs to complete an individual process simultaneously. Lossy Compression Lossless and lossy compression areterms that describewhether or not, in the compression of a file,all original data can berecovered when the fileis uncompressed. With losslesscompression,every singlebitof data that was originally in thefileremains after the fileis uncompressed.All of the information is completely restored. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/lossless-and-lossy- compression I understandthat lossy compressionmeans that whena compressedfile is uncompressed some ofthe data which wasinthe originalfile will be lost. .mp3 MP3 files are music or sound filesthat are digitallyrecorded and compressed and can be savedonyour computer's harddiskto be played back. The filesavailable from PlayDigital are allinthe MP3 file format, and canbe played back via Windows Media Player, iTunes or a large selectionof different third partymusic-playing I know that .mp3 files are music of soundfiles whichare digitally recordedandcompressed, which are thenable to be saved into a
  • 3. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 3 software. Theycanalso be copiedto CD or a portable music player, suchas aniPod or anyother MP3 player. http://help.play.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/79/~/what-does-mp3-mean%3F computer’s hard disk to be played back. I nowhave an understanding of .mp3 files. I have gained thisexperience by rendering manydifferent sound effects which I have created. Once rendered, the soundeffects became .mp3 files. AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) Alternatively referred to as a sound board or audio card, a sound card is anexpansion card or integrated circuit that provides a computer with the ability to produce sound that can be perceived by the user through a peripheral device likespeakers or headphones. Although the computer does not need a sound device to function, they are included on every machine in one form or another; either in anexpansion slot (sound card) or on the motherboard (onboard). http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/souncard.htm I now understandthat a sound processor unit is referredto as an audiocardwhichprovides a computer which allows it to play soundthrough devices like speakers or headphones. Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Digital signal processing(DSP) refers to various techniques for improvingthe accuracyand reliabilityof digitalcommunications. The theorybehindDSPis quite complex. Basically, DSPworks byclarifying, or standardizing, the levels or states of a digitalsignal. ADSPcircuit is able to differentiate betweenhuman-made signals,which are orderly, and noise, which is inherentlychaotic. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/digital-signal-processing-DSP I understandthat a digital sound processor or DSPrefers to the techniques whichcanbe usedto improve the reliabilityif digital communications, andworks by standardisingthe levels of a digital sound. Random Access Memory (RAM) A lternatively referred to as main memory, primary memory, or system memory,Random Access Memory (RAM) is a computer storage location that allows information to be stored and accessed quickly from random locations within DRAM on a memory module. Because information is accessed randomly instead of sequentially like it is on a C D or hard drive, the computer can access the data much faster. However, unlike RO M and the hard drive RA M is a volatile memory and requires power in order to keep the data accessible, if power is lost all data contained in memory lost. http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/r/ram.htm I know that randomaccess memory(RAM) alsoknown as primarymemoryallows informationto be storedquickly from random locations but the data needs power to be accessible otherwise the RAMstored data is lost. I have hadexperience with RAMin the past. I knowthat it is an amount of memoryon a computer. I have hadto manage my RAMto avoid runningout of space to store files. Mono Audio 1. Mono Audio. When you're using headphones, you may miss some I now understandthat mono audiois the distinction between
  • 4. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 4 audio if you're deaf or hard of hearing in one ear. That's because stereo recordings usually have distinct left- and right- channel audio tracks. https://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/ the left and right channelof devices like headphones. Stereo Audio 1. Audio stereo means sound which is divided into two separate channels. These two channels are played back simultaneouslyvia separate speakers. The effect is to create a fuller sound,and provide the ability to mix certain sounds between channels. www.mediacollege.com/glossary/s/stereo.html I know nowthat stereoaudiois when soundis divided into two separate channels via speakers which is to create a fuller sound. Surround Sound )Surround sound is a term used to describe a type of audio output in w hich the sound appears to "surround the listener" by 360 degrees. Surround sound systems use three or more channels and speakers in front and behind the listener to create a surrounding envelope of sound and directional audio sources. The term surround sound has become popular in recent years and more commonly used since the advent of home theater systems. Surround sound can be either an analog or digital system. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/surround_sound.html I understandthat surroundsound is whensoundis divided into three or more channelsplayed through separate speakers which surround a person 360 degrees which is designedto give perspective ofdirections. Direct Audio (Pulse Code Modulation – PCM) Pulse code modulation (PCM) is a digital representation of an analog signal that takes samples of the amplitude of the analog signal at regular intervals. The sampled analog data is changed to, and then represented by, binary data. PCM requires a very accurate clock. The number of samples per second, ranging from8,000 to 192,000, is usually severaltimes the maximum frequency of the analog w aveformin Hertz (Hz), or cycles per second, which ranges from 8 to 192 KHz. http://www.techopedia.com/definition/24128/pulse-code-modulation- pcm I know that direct audiois a representation of ananalog signal which takes samples of the amplitude ofthe analog signal. AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue Referstorecordingaudioin a format of continuous vibrationsthat are analogous to the original sound waves. Before audiorecordingbecame digital, soundswere "carved"into v inyl records or writtentotape as magnetic waveforms. Contrast with digital audio. http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/60827/analog-audio Analog is the recordingina format of continuous vibrations analogous to the original sound waves. Digital Mini Disc One easy w ay to thinkabout a MiniDisc is like a floppy disk -- you can record and erase files on a MiniDisc just as easily as you can on a floppy disk. The big difference betw een the a MiniDisc and a floppy diskis that a MiniDisc can hold about 100 times more data (about 140 megabytes in data mode, 160 megabytes in audio mode vs. 1.44 megabytes for a floppy). http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question55.htm I understandthat a digital mini diskis like a floppydisk, it is just as easyto record anderase files on a mini diskthanon a floppy diskbut a mini diskis able to hold 100 times more data. Compact Disc (CD) Stands for "Compact Disc." CDs are circular discs that are 4.75 in (12 cm) in diameter.The CD standard was proposed by Sony and Philips in 1980 and the technology was introduced to the U.S. market in 1983. CDs can hold up to 700 MB of data or 80 minutes of audio.The data on a CD is stored as small notches I know that a CD (compact disk) can hold around700MB of data or 80 minutes ofaudio.
  • 5. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 5 on the disc and is read by a laser from an optical drive.The drives translate the notches (which represent 1's and 0's) into usable data. http://techterms.com/definition/cd Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Digital Audio Tape (DAT or R-DAT) is a signalrecording andplaybackmedium developedbySonyandintroducedin1987.[1] In appearance it is similar to a compact audiocassette, using 4 mm magnetic tape enclosedina protective shell, but is roughlyhalfthe size at 73 mm × 54 mm × 10.5 mm. As the name suggests, the recording isdigital rather thananalog. DAT has the abilityto recordat higher, equal or lower sampling rates thana CD (48, 44.1 or 32 kHz sampling rate respectively) at 16 bits quantization. Ifa digitalsource is copiedthen the DAT will produce anexact clone, unlike other digital media suchas Digital Compact Cassette or non-Hi- MD MiniDisc, bothof whichuse lossydata compression. http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Digital_Audio_Tape.html I now knowthat a digitalaudio tape is a signalrecording and playback device. It records digital audioinsteadof analog andhas the abiliyto record at higher, equal to or lower samplingrates than a CD. MIDI MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol designedfor recording and playing backmusic on digitalsynthesizers that is supportedbymanymakes of personalcomputer soundcards. Originallyintendedto control one keyboard from another, it was quicklyadopted for the personal computer. Rather than representingmusical sound directly, it transmits informationabout howmusic is produced. The commandset includes note-ons, note-offs, keyvelocity, pitch bend and other methods of controlling a synthesizer. The sound waves producedare those alreadystoredina wavetable in the receiving instrument or soundcard. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/MIDI-Musical-Instrument-Digital-Interface I understandthat MIDI is a designedfor recordingandplaying back audio oddigital synthesizers and is supported bymanymakes of sound card. Software Sequencers In digitalaudiorecording, a sequencer is a programin a computer or stand-alone keyboard unit that puts together a sound sequencefrom a series (or sequence) ofMusicalInstrument Digital Interface( MIDI ) events (operations). TheMIDI sequencerallows theuserto record and edit a musical performancewithout using anaudio-basedinputsource. Theperformance is recordedas a series ofevents that wouldordinarily be played infrom a keyboard instrument. The MIDI sequencer does not recordtheactualaudio, but ratherthe events related tothe performance -whatnotewas played at what time, howhard the key was pressed,when did the sustain pedalgetdepressed,and soforth. This data is thenplayed back into a MIDI instrumentor sound module. Using this method,theperformercan select a piano soundfor a musical passage andlater decidethat thepassagewould work betteras anorgan sound. The editor can simplychangethesound program ontheMIDI keyboard toalter thesound without needing to rerecordtheentire performance. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer I now understandthat a software sequencer is a programina computer or stand-alone keyboard whichputs together a soundsequence from a seriesof musical instrument events. Software Plug-ins Though software plug-ins might not make your room smell as nice as the scented ones you stick in an outlet, they are still useful. A software plug-in is an add-on for a program that adds functionality to it. For example, a Photoshop plug-in (such as Eye Candy) may add extra filters that you can use to manipulate images. A browser plug-in (such as Macromedia Flash or Apple QuickTime) allows you to play certain multimedia files within I understandthat a software plug in is anadd-ofor a programwhich adds functionalityto it.
  • 6. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 6 your Web browser. VST plug-ins add effects for audio recording and sequencing programs such as Cubase and Logic Audio. http://techterms.com/definition/plugin MIDI Keyboard Instruments A Musical InstrumentDigital Interface (MIDI) keyboard is a musical instrument like a piano keyboard. The MIDI portion indicates thatthe instrumenthas a communication protocol builtin that allows itto communicate with a computer or other MIDI-equipped instrument. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-midi-keyboard.htm I know that a MIDI keyboard instrument is a musical instrument like a piano. The MIDI portionshows that the instrument has a communicationprotocol built inwhich allows it to communicate to a computer or other MIDI equipment. AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit- depth Bit depth is the number ofbits used to carry the data in each sample ofaudio. The bit depth chosen for recording limits the dynamic range ofthe recording. (Other factors in the audio chain may also limitthis,so more bits often will not produce a better recording.) http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Bit_Depth I now knowthat bit depth is the number of bits usedto carrydata in eachsample ofaudio. File Size Constraints - Sample Rate 1. bitrate: simply amount of data per second, this can vary w ithin a file (variable bit rate) or have a static value 2. sample rate: a frequencyof how many times audio is measured per second, usually measured in kilohertz (kHz); a usualnumber you might see is 44.1kHz. This is tied directly to bit depth or the number of bits measured in each cycle So at this point, w e have to do some math and see that bit rate is bits per second (usually measured in Mbits/seconds), so bit rate =sample rate x bit depth. Asfar as I know , your sample size would simply be one of these one-second chunks of data. Doing the pure math w illrevealthat these files w ould be very large, how everthere are a number of compression algorithms employed to keep the files low er without losing significant quality. http://superuser.com/questions/388382/what-does-the-sample-rate- and-sample-size-of-audio-means I understandthat sample rate is a frequencyof how manytimes audiois measuredper second and is usuallymeasured inkilohertz.