Sound recording glossary tom crook

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: Tom Crook 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 A sound effects technique for synchronous effects or live
effects. Foley artists match live sound effects with the action of the
picture. The sound effects are laid "manually" and not cut in with
film.
http://www.filmsound.org/terminology/foley.htm
I would use the Foley artistry to make
sound effects for my game such as
the slamming of a door and sound of
the wind. Also if I included fight
scenes many of my sound effects
would use the Foley technique.
Sound Libraries A sound Library is a collection of sounds stored on file (for
example on CDs, DVDs, or as digital audio files).
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sound-library
I would use a Sound library if I had
many sound effects to choose from,
As it would make the choice easier as
I can compare the sounds on one
format and all the sounds would be
assessable all together.
SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed Uncompressing (or decompressing) is the act of expanding a
compression file back into its original form. Software that you
download from the Internet often comes in a compressed package
that can uncompress itself when you click on it. You can also
uncompress files using popular tools such as PKZIP in the DOS
operating system, WinZip in Windows, and MacZip in Macintosh.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/uncompressing-or-
decompressing
I would use Uncompressing if I was
transporting a large audio file such as
a song or instrumental I could play in
a certain back ground. Also I can use
it to share my audio with other people
in a fast and small format so there
opinion can be administered to my
work.
.wav The format for storing sound in files developed jointly
by Microsoftand IBM. Support for WAV files was built into Windows
95 making it the de facto standard for sound on PCs. WAV sound
files end with a.wav extension and can be played by nearly all
Windows applications that support sound.
I would use .Wav to access and listen
to all the small sound as it is very
easy and can be found on any
computer.

IG2 Task 1
2
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/WAV.html
.aiff AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is one of the two most-
used audio file formats used in the Apple Macintosh operating
system. The other is Sound Designer II (SDII). Most CD writers
can accept AIFF or SDII files interchangeably when writing a Red
Book audio CD. AIFF is sometimes referred to as "Apple
Interchange File Format."
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/AIFF-Audio-Interchange-
File-Format
I would use the .Aiff format when
using an apple based computer and
also if I wanted to send my
instrumentals to other people who
may not have a computer due to it
easily being able to transfer to a CD.
.au 1. The Au file format is a simple audio file format introduced by Sun
Microsystems. The format was common on NeXT systems and on
early Web pages. Originally it was headerless, being simply 8-bit
µ-law-encoded data at an 8000 Hz sample rate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Au_file_format
I would use .au if I had found a small
sound on the go as it is very basic
and could be used basically anywhere
and would be good to handle the
small undiscovered sounds.
.smp Music file used by SmartMusic, a music practice application for
band, orchestra, and voice; saves an accompaniment that can be
used for practicing solos and other musical parts; includes the
sheet music information and can be used for assessment; replaced
by the .SMPX in Finale 2014.
http://fileinfo.com/extension/smp
I would use this file format if I have
made instrumental using classic
instruments to maybe add a dramatic
effect to the game in whatever format.
Lossy Compression lossy compression reduces a file by permanently eliminating
certain information, especially redundant information. When the file
is uncompressed, only a part of the original information is still there
(although the user may not notice it). Lossy compression is
generally used for video and sound, where a certain amount of
information loss will not be detected by most users.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/lossless-and-lossy-
compression
I would most likely use this in the case
of sending music again as it would
make the file smaller and easier to
send without any real noticeable
change to the file.
.mp3 a means of compressing a sound sequence into a very small file,
to enable digital storage and transmission.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-
instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+mp3
I would use MP3 so I could make my
files portable and also as well to make
the files much easier to store and or
send.

IG2 Task 1
3
AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) The SPU is the unit responsible for all aural capabilities of the psx.
It
handles 24 voices, has a 512kb sound buffer, has ADSR envelope
filters for
each voice and lots of other features.
http://psx.rules.org/spu.txt
I would most likely use this while
recording the sound and or
instrumental to help me acquire the
best quality of sound possible even
though the actual Unit is very basic.
Digital Sound Processor (DSP) A Digital Signal Processor, or DSP, is a specialized
microprocessor that has an architecture which is optimized for the
fast operational needs of digital signal processing. A Digital Signal
Processor (DSP) can process data in real time, making it ideal for
applications that can’t tolerate delays. Digital signal processors
take a digital signal and process it to improve the signal into
clearer sound, faster data or sharper images.
http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/microprocessors/digital-signal-
processors.aspx
I would use this when editing my final
cut of sound, As it can be used to
make everything more clear and
make the music easier to listen too.
Random Access Memory (RAM) A type of computer memory that can be access randomly; that is,
any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the
preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found
in computers and other devices, such as printers.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html
I would use RAM to store my sounds
and other sound assets making them
easy to access throughout the college
system.
Mono Audio Mono or monophonic describes a system where all the audio
signals are mixed together and routed through a single audio
channel. Common types of mono systems include single channel
centre clusters, mono split cluster systems, and distributed
loudspeaker systems with and without architectural delays.
http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm
I will use the MONO sound system to
listen through my sounds at the best
quality.
Stereo Audio True stereophonic sound systems have two independent audio
signal channels, and the signals that are reproduced have a
specific level and phase relationship to each other so that when
played back through a suitable reproduction system, there will be
an apparent image of the original sound source. Stereo would be a
requirement if there is a need to replicate the aural perspective and
localization of instruments on a stage or platform, a very common
requirement in performing arts centres.
http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm
I would use the stereo sound if I was
to add instrumentals to my sounds so
that the quality is the best it can
possibly be.

IG2 Task 1
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Surround Sound A system of stereophony involving three or more speakers
surrounding the listener so as to give a more realistic effect.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-
instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+Surround+sound
I would use surround sound to
experience the full magnitude of my
sound effects and instrumentals.
Direct Audio (Pulse Code
Modulation – PCM)
Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used
to digitally represent sampled analog signals. It is the standard
form of digital audio in computers, Compact Discs, digital
telephony and other digital audio applications. In a PCM stream,
the amplitude of the analog signal is sampled regularly at uniform
intervals, and each sample is quantized to the nearest value within
a range of digital steps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-code_modulation
I would use this method to show
samples of my sound effects and so I
can show my sounds to other people.
AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue Also spelled analogue, describes a device or system that
represents changing values as continuously variable physical
quantities.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/analog.html
I would use analogue if I was to add
or increase an aspect of an
instrumental or sound
Digital Mini Disc The MiniDisc (MD) is an obsolete magneto-optical disc-based data
storage device for 74 minutes and, later, 80 minutes, of
digitized audio or 1 gigabyte of Hi-MD data. The Sony brand audio
players were on the market from September 1992 until March
2013.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiniDisc
This would be used to make my
sound and instrumentals portable.
Compact Disc (CD) Compact disc (CD) is a digital optical disc data storage format. The
format was originally developed to store and play only sound
recordings but was later adapted for storage of data (CD-ROM).
Several other formats were further derived from these, including
write-once audio and data storage (CD-R), rewritable media (CD-
RW), Video Compact Disc (VCD), Super Video Compact Disc
(SVCD), Photo CD, PictureCD, CD-i, and Enhanced Music CD.
Audio CDs and audio CD players have been commercially
available since October 1982.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_disc
I would use this to also make my
music and sounds portable and easy
to play anywhere on any computer
and or sound system.
Digital Audio Tape (DAT) DAT (Digital Audio Tape) is a standard medium and technology for
the digital recording of audio on tape at a professional level of
quality. A DAT drive is a digital tape recorder with rotating heads
similar to those found in a video deck. Most DAT drives can record
I would use this to help me record
voice and or live music being played
with instrumentals.

IG2 Task 1
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at sample rates of 44.1 kHz, the CD audio standard, and 48 kHz.
DAT has become the standard archiving technology in professional
and semi-professional recording environments for master
recordings. Digital inputs and outputs on professional DAT decks
allow the user to transfer recordings from the DAT tape to an audio
workstation for precise editing. The compact size and low cost of
the DAT medium makes it an excellent way to compile the
recordings that are going to be used to create a CD master.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/DAT-Digital-Audio-Tape
MIDI is a technical standard that describes a protocol, digital
interface and connectors and allows a wide variety of electronic
musical instruments, computers and other related devices to
connect and communicate with one another. A single MIDI link can
carry up to sixteen channels of information, each of which can be
routed to a separate device.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI
I would also use this to integrate
music and other instruments into my
sounds in an easy way.
Software Sequencers N digital audio recording, a sequencer is a program in a computer
or stand-alone keyboard unit that puts together a sound sequence
from a series (or sequence) of Musical Instrument Digital Interface
(MIDI ) events (operations). The MIDI sequencer allows the user to
record and edit a musical performance without using an audio-
based input source. The performance is recorded as a series of
events that would ordinarily be played in from a keyboard
instrument.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer
I would use this to finally compile all
sounds of instruments to create one final
piece in an easy way.
Software Plug-ins Most graphics and audio programs today support plug-ins since
they are a convenient way to expand the capabilities of the
program. Though some plug-ins may be shipped with the program,
most are developed by third-parties and are sold separately.
Because companies that make browser plug-ins are often
competing for a standard (such as Flash and QuickTime), these
plug-ins are usually available as free downloads from the Internet.
http://techterms.com/definition/plugin
I would use this to adapt my software to
the current specifications I need to
produce the highest quality sound and or
instrumental.
MIDI Keyboard Instruments Short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, MIDI is a standard
for digitally representing and transmitting sounds that was first
developed in the 1980s. The MIDI sound is played back through
the hardware device or computer either through a synthesized

IG2 Task 1
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audio sound or a waveform stored on the hardware device or
computer. The quality of how MIDI sounds when played back by
the hardware device or computer depends upon that device's
capability.
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/midi.htm
AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-depth n digital audio using pulse-code modulation (PCM), bit depth is the
number of bits of information in each sample, and it directly
corresponds to the resolution of each sample. Examples of bit
depth include Compact Disc Digital Audio, which uses 16 bits per
sample, and DVD-Audio and Blu-ray Disc which can support up to
24 bits per sample.
In basic implementations, variations in bit depth primarily affect the
noise level from quantization error—thus the signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR) and dynamic range. However, techniques such
as dithering, noise shaping and oversampling mitigate these
effects without changing the bit depth. Bit depth also affects bit
rate and file size.
Bit depth is only meaningful in reference to a PCM digital signal.
Non-PCM formats, such as lossy compression formats
like MP3, AAC and Vorbis, do not have associated bit depths. For
example, in MP3, quantization is performed on PCM samples that
have been transformed into the frequency domain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_bit_depth
This will help me to make sure the sound
files will not get over capacity as it will
place a restriction onto the file.
File Size Constraints - Sample
Rate
Signal processing, sampling is the reduction of a continuous
signal to a discrete signal. A common example is the conversion of
a sound wave (a continuous signal) to a sequence of samples (a
discrete-time signal).A sample refers to a value or set of values at
a point in time and/or space. A sampler is a subsystem or
operation that extracts samples from a continuous signal. A
theoretical ideal sampler produces samples equivalent to the
instantaneous value of the continuous signal at the desired points

IG2 Task 1
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampling_%28signal_processing%29

Sound recording glossary tom crook

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