![Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
3
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/surround-sound decides where certain sounds
should go to create the best
listening experience.
Direct Audio (Pulse Code
Modulation – PCM)
Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used to digitally represent sampled analogue
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
analogue 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
This is used to measure the
sampled amount of sound
signals that are flowing
through the computer.
AUDIO RECORDING
SYSTEMS
Analogue Analogue sound has information stored as varying strength magnetic fields or heights of
grooves or electronic signals which can be amplified and fed directly to speakers without
decoding. Making a copy always involves at least some changes in the signal
shape.https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081211061505AAmwR7n
Analogue sounds are sounds
that have a varied wave length.
Digital Mini Disc Mini Disc - A music medium designed by Sony as a portable replacement for music Compact
Discs. In 1994 Sony announced a data version which can hold 140 MB or about 100 MB
using error correction. These will be competitive with 128 MB magneto-optical disks. Mini
Discs may be either a re-writable or mass-produced read-only type. Sony have also
announced a standard data format.http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Mini+Disc
A mini disc is a form of
audio/video storage.
Compact Disc (CD) A compact disc [sometimes spelled disk] (CD) is a small, portable, round medium made of
moulded polymer (close in size to the floppy disk) for electronically recording, storing, and
playing back audio, video, text, and other information in digital form. Tape cartridges and
CDs generally replaced the phonograph record for playing back music. At home, CDs have
tended to replace the tape cartridge although the latter is still widely used in cars and
portable playback devices.http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/compact-disc
A compact disc is another form
of audio/video storage.
Digital Audio Tape (DAT) A magnetic tape used to record high-quality sound by storing information as a series of the
numbers 0 and 1. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/digital-audio-tape
An old style form of storing
audio.
MIDI MIDI (short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface) 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.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI
Using these I can create
original pieces of music using
different types of instruments.
Software Sequencers A sequencing software package designed to be loaded into a computer. Software
sequencers usually have more features and have the advantage of showing you a lot more
information at once because they use the computer's screen and aren't locked into the
knobs or buttons or display of a hardware
sequencer.http://www.wannaplaymusic.com/get-started/keyboard-terminology
A piece of software designed
to make the showing of
information easier.
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. 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
A program that is designed to
be attached to another
program and improve/add new](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/ig2task1worksheetdarylbates-140512040153-phpapp01/85/IG2-task-1-work-sheet-Daryl-Bates-3-320.jpg)
IG2 task 1 work sheet Daryl Bates
- 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: 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 Foley Artist 'recreates' sound effects for film, television and radio productions on a Foley Stage in a Post Production Studio.http://www.marblehead.net/foley/whatisitman.html I can create my own sounds and apply them to my own work to enhance it. Sound Libraries 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 Websites like soundcloud allow me to store all of my creations and access them easily. SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed (Of data) not compressed.http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/uncompressed If data is not compressed it is a larger file. .wav Waveform Audio File Format (WAVE, or more commonly known as WAV due to its filename extension)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wav This is a common type of audio file that is used for extensions. .aiff Short for Audio Interchange File Format, a common format for storing and transmitting sampled sound.http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/AIFF.html Another commonly used audio format this is used to store formatted sound. .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 format.http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/AU-Sun-NeXT-DEC-UNIX-sound-file This audio file format is used for specific pieces of software, like UNIX. .smp The file extension ".smp" shows up on several different types of files used for very different programs including audio files, images and emailhttp://www.ehow.com/info_12198596_file-smp.html#ixzz31LEX32Fg This is a commonly used file format that is used for multiple reasons such as music and pictures. Lossy Compression Refers to data compression techniques in which some amount of data is lost. Lossy compression technologies attempt to eliminate redundant or unnecessary information. Most video compression technologies, such as MPEG, use a lossy technique.http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/L/lossy_compression.html This process allows some data to be lost so the overall file size can be smaller. .mp3 Mp3- Otherwise known as mpeg layer-3 is a audio compression format that compresses By using this file format I can
- 2. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 2 audio by removing humanly inaudible frequencies.https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070804075055AAcdMV9 easily upload it to soundcloud. AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) sound card or audio card Integrated circuit that generates an audio signal and sends it to a computer's speakers. The sound card can accept an analog sound (as from a microphone or audio tape) and convert it to digital data that can be stored in an audio file, or accept digitized audio signals (as from an audio file) and convert them to analog signals that can be played on the computer's speakers. On a personal computer, the sound card is usually a separate circuit board that is plugged into the motherboard.http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Audio+processing+unit By having one of these installed onto the computer I can hear my sounds, making it easier for me to generate ideas and create the sound. Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Short for digital signal processing, which refers to manipulating analogue information, such as sound or photographs that has been converted into a digital form. DSP also implies the use of a data compression technique.http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/DSP.html This manipulates sound that has been converted into a digital form allowing you to hear sounds through headphones or speakers. Random Access Memory (RAM) RAM is made up of small memory chips that form a memory module. These modules are installed in the RAM slots on the motherboard of your computer. Every time you open a program, it gets loaded from the hard drive into the RAM. This is because reading data from the RAM is much faster than reading data from the hard drive. Running programs from the RAM of the computer allows them to function without any lag time. The more RAM your computer has, the more data can be loaded from the hard drive into the RAM, which can effectively speed up your computer. In fact, adding RAM can be more beneficial to your computer's performance than upgrading the CPU.http://www.techterms.com/definition/ram Having a RAM installed on my computer allows me to do everything I need, for example. Without the RAM I wouldn’t be able to load reaper to make my sounds. Mono Audio Commonly called mono sound, mono, or non-stereo sound, this early sound system used a single channel of audio for sound output. In monophonic sound systems, the signal sent to the sound system encodes one single stream of sound and it usually uses just one speaker. Monophonic sound is the most basic format of sound output.http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/monophonic_sound.html This is a type of sound format that only sends sound through one audio channel. Stereo Audio Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that creates an illusion of directionality and audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two or more independent audio channels through a configuration of two or more loudspeakers (or stereo headphones) in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereo_audio This type of sound format sending sound waves through two or more channels. Surround Sound A system of sound recording and reproduction that uses three or more independent recording channels and loudspeakers in order to give the impression that the listener is surrounded by the sound sources. Another form of sound format that sends audio through multiple channels but this
- 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://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/surround-sound decides where certain sounds should go to create the best listening experience. Direct Audio (Pulse Code Modulation – PCM) Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used to digitally represent sampled analogue 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 analogue 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 This is used to measure the sampled amount of sound signals that are flowing through the computer. AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue Analogue sound has information stored as varying strength magnetic fields or heights of grooves or electronic signals which can be amplified and fed directly to speakers without decoding. Making a copy always involves at least some changes in the signal shape.https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081211061505AAmwR7n Analogue sounds are sounds that have a varied wave length. Digital Mini Disc Mini Disc - A music medium designed by Sony as a portable replacement for music Compact Discs. In 1994 Sony announced a data version which can hold 140 MB or about 100 MB using error correction. These will be competitive with 128 MB magneto-optical disks. Mini Discs may be either a re-writable or mass-produced read-only type. Sony have also announced a standard data format.http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Mini+Disc A mini disc is a form of audio/video storage. Compact Disc (CD) A compact disc [sometimes spelled disk] (CD) is a small, portable, round medium made of moulded polymer (close in size to the floppy disk) for electronically recording, storing, and playing back audio, video, text, and other information in digital form. Tape cartridges and CDs generally replaced the phonograph record for playing back music. At home, CDs have tended to replace the tape cartridge although the latter is still widely used in cars and portable playback devices.http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/compact-disc A compact disc is another form of audio/video storage. Digital Audio Tape (DAT) A magnetic tape used to record high-quality sound by storing information as a series of the numbers 0 and 1. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/digital-audio-tape An old style form of storing audio. MIDI MIDI (short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface) 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.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI Using these I can create original pieces of music using different types of instruments. Software Sequencers A sequencing software package designed to be loaded into a computer. Software sequencers usually have more features and have the advantage of showing you a lot more information at once because they use the computer's screen and aren't locked into the knobs or buttons or display of a hardware sequencer.http://www.wannaplaymusic.com/get-started/keyboard-terminology A piece of software designed to make the showing of information easier. 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. 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 A program that is designed to be attached to another program and improve/add new
- 4. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 4 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 your Web browser. VST plug-ins add effects for audio recording and sequencing programs such as Cubase and Logic Audio.http://www.techterms.com/definition/plugin features to the existing program. MIDI Keyboard Instruments MIDI keyboard is typically a piano-style user interface keyboard device used for sending MIDI signals or commands over a USB or MIDI cable to other devices connected and operating on the same MIDI protocol interface.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_keyboard Similar to MIDI but using these I can use the keyboard to create the sounds. AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit- depth In digital audio, bit depth describes the potential accuracy of a particular piece of hardware or software that processes audio data. In general, the more bits that are available, the more accurate the resulting output from the data being processed.http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/bit-depth This states that the more bits there are the more information there is in a file. File Size Constraints - Sample Rate Also called a sample rate. Typically expressed in samples per second, or hertz (Hz), the rate at which samples of an analogue signal are taken in order to be converted into digital form. A PC’s sound card typically will sample a received analogue signal, such as through a microphone, and digitize it for use by the computer. A higher sampling rate provides a better quality reproduction than a lower sampling rate.http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/sampling_rate.html Measures the amount of sound waves traveling through the computers soundcard.