Sound recording glossary - IMPROVED

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: Paulina Karolina Kucharska 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 FoleyArtist is a personwhocreates(or re-creates)
sounds for movies. For example, ifthe soundof an
actor's footsteps were not recordedwell or lost when
the voice wasre-recorded, a Foleyartist will recreate
them. In fact, except for dialogue andmusic, almost all
the sounds youhear inHollywoodfilms is Foleysound.
Foleyartists work ina Foleystudio, a room withmany
props, a viewingscreenandrecording equipment. The
artist watches the film andcreates the soundinreal
time.
http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/film/foley-
artist.html
Foleyartistryis a method inwhichthe additional
soundis addedinreal time to a recording. It usually
includes special effects or just the normalones
which were either not recordedproperlyor at all.
After the recordingI maylisten again to the track
and think of what else I can add. Thenwith
recorder againI can create more sounds, bydoing
various actions (e.g. moving myhandingrains or
drop somethingheavy) and hear the outcome.
Before the recording I was thinking what sounds I
can make with what objects and readied the
broken light bulb to make a fairy sound. Foley
artistry is a pleasant technique if the creator has
imagination for creating sounds.
Sound Libraries* A collectionof sounds storedon file (for example on
CDs, DVDs, or as digital audio files)
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/so
und-library
Sound libraries are either paidfor or for free. They
store soundfileswhichcanbe sharedandre used
for future tracks.
If I wouldlacksounds or music, thenI canlookinto
free soundlibraries, whichallowpeople to store
and borrow sounds.
Sound libraries are a quick and easy source of any
sounds we are looking for. I was using college
libraries to search for some desired tracks.It also
allows sorting and organising audio, making the

IG2 Task 1
2
search more efficient.
SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed Uncompressedfile formats are exact copies of the
originaldata. As such theytake upmore space than
compressedformats. […] the cost of storage has reached
a point where the extra storage requirements and
associatedcost for uncompressed formats is negligible.
[Uncompressedaudiofiles are: AIFF, FLACandWAV]
http://www.audiostream.com/content/guide-common-
music-file-types
Uncompressedsoundfileskeep the original data
without anylacking tones. However theydo take
more space than lossyfile formats.
To have the original soundrecording without any
noise missingI shoulduse the files, whichwill keep
the soundrecordinguncompressed. I maydo that
while recording andcollectingsounds, dialogue and
music and before joiningthem together intoa
single piece of track.
.wav* Short for WAVeform Audio Format, it is normallyusedin
an uncompressed format onthe Microsoft Windows
platform. This rawaudioformat, whichwas developed
jointlybyIBMand Microsoft, stores audiodata in blocks.
On the digital music scene, its usefulness has diminished
over time withthe development of better losslessaudio
formats, suchas FLACandApple lossless. It is a standard
that will probablybe used for some time yet due to its
widespreaduse inprofessional music recordingandis
still a verypopular format for audio/video applications.
http://mp3.about.com/od/glossary/g/WAV_def.htm
This file format willbe probablyusedbyus, as we
work on Windows system. As it is anuncompressed
format, it will be goodto keepthe full recording
without losing the small bits of it. However, it may
take a lot of space inthe folder.
Wav is the format I was saving my manipulation
exercises with. It doesn’t compress a sound but
takes space (my 4second recording takes 1.36 MB
of space, whereas 1 min 46sec recording takes
29.2 MB of space).
.aiff Stands for "Audio Interchange File Format." AIFFis a file
format designedto store audiodata. It wasdeveloped
byApple Computer, but is basedonElectronic Arts'IFF
(Interchange File Format), a container format originally
usedon Amiga systems.
A standard AIFF file contains 2 channelsof
uncompressed stereo audio witha sample size of 16
bits, recordedat a samplingrate of 44.1 kilohertz. Thisis
also knownas "CD-qualityaudio," since CDs use the
same audiospecifications.
http://techterms.com/definition/aiff
This format is usedbyApplecomputers.
.au Audio file introduced bySunMicrosystems;used
primarilyon Sunor other Unix-basedmachinesandhas
been adoptedbyseveral audioprograms, including
Adobe AuditionandQuickTime; stores the data inthree
parts:a header (24 bytes), a variable lengthannotation
One of audioformats, usedbybothAdobe Audition
and QuickTime.

IG2 Task 1
3
block, andthe actualaudio data.
http://fileinfo.com/extension/au
.smp Music file usedbySmartMusic, a music practice
application for band, orchestra, and voice; saves an
accompaniment that can be used for practicing solos
and other musical parts
http://fileinfo.com/extension/smp
The smpformat is suitable for savingthe music
recordings, however I am not a musician, and I
wouldonlyuse it for recordingdialogue.
Lossy Compression Anyaudiocompressionalgorithm which does not retain
everybit of data but onlyreproduces a signal that
sounds more or less like the original. Examplesare MP1,
MP2, MP3, AAC.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lossy+audio+co
mpression
Lossycompressioncuts offthe unwanted bits of
data making the whole file to take lessspace ona
memorydisc. Theyoften sound verysimilar to an
originaltrack, but more the file is compressed, the
worse qualityit is.
Insteadof wastingspace onmemory card as with
uncompressed sounds, I can use soundfile formats
for a lossycompression. Lossycompression, same
as with pictures, takesawaybits of sound we can’t
hear andremains similar to the original track.
.mp3 There are manyaudiofile formats ofwhichthe first was
MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 -- or more commonlyreferredto
as MP3. It is a lossycompression algorithm that removes
certainfrequencies that humans can't hear. When
creating anMP3 file, the bitrate that is usedto encode
the audiohas a big effect onthe qualityof the sound.
Settinga bitrate that is too lowcanproduce a file that
has poor sounding quality.
http://mp3.about.com/od/glossary/g/mp3def.htm
Mp3 is the most familiar format for me, it will be
suitable for a copyof the finishedrecording, as it
won’t take muchspace. It maybe alsomore easily
put on YouTube (ifneeded).
AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) Like its graphics counterpart, the GPU, the APU (audio
Processing Unit] helps increase overall PCsystem
performance byoff-loading audioeffects processing
from the CPU. Unlike traditional soundcards with
extremelylimitedfunctionsets, anAPU is definedbythe
following three parameters:
An advancedarchitecture featuring, at a minimum,
support for hardware accelerationof 256 2D voices and
64 3D voices, andadvanced3D positional audio.
Full support for all DirectX8.0 features and capabilities.
It’s similar to a soundcard. It stores the decoded
data of anaudio, and thenplays it backthrough
speakers. Incontrast to normal sound cards SPU is
more advanced and enhances the sound quality.
It supports programmes such as DirectX(which
supports game software and video) and Dolby
Digital.

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The abilityto incorporate support for DolbyDigital 5.1
and a DolbyDigital encoder inhardware to deliver an
uncompromised, cinematic-qualityaudioexperience.
http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/apu.html
Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Digital Signal Processors (DSPs)take real-world signals
like voice, audio, video, temperature, pressure, or
position that have been digitized andthen
mathematicallymanipulate them. A DSPis designed for
performing mathematical functions like "add",
"subtract", "multiply" and"divide" veryquickly.
http://www.analog.com/en/content/beginners_guide_t
o_dsp/fca.html
It converts data of audioinboth ways – digital-to-
analogue andanalogue-to-digital. It manipulates
sounds going throughit. The sounds is first taken
from real world, digitizedandagainit returns back
in either analogue or digitised form.
Random Access Memory (RAM) RAMis made up ofsmall memorychips that form a
memorymodule. These modulesare installedin the
RAMslots onthe motherboardof your computer.
[…]Running programs from the RAMof the computer
allows themto functionwithout anylagtime.
http://techterms.com/definition/ram
In order to run files andprogrammessmoothly, the
computers readinformationfrom RAM. The more
RAMthe computer (or anyother hardware)has,
the better the performance.
Mono Audio* Mono or monophonic describes a systemwhere all the
audiosignals are mixedtogether androutedthrougha
single audiochannel. Monosystems canhave multiple
loudspeakers, andevenmultiple widelyseparated
loudspeakers. The keyis that the signal contains nolevel
and arrival time/phase informationthat wouldreplicate
or simulate directional cues. […]The big advantage to
mono is that everyone hears the verysame signal, and,
in properlydesignedsystems, all listeners wouldhear
the systemat essentiallythe same soundlevel. This
makes well-designedmonosystems verywell suitedfor
speechreinforcement as theycanprovide excellent
speechintelligibility.
http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm
While playing the recording fromsimple
headphonesor speakers, it is better to keep them
in mono. It will help focusingmore onlisteningand
it will be best whenworking onthe audio. It is also
easier to joinsounds in audio; however, it doesn’t
create anydepth to the recording.
When trying mono audio, the sound appears flat,
therefore boring. It makes a lot of constrains for
an audio sequence, since it doesn’t allow to create
a depth and dimensionality of the sound.
Stereo Audio* True stereophonic soundsystems have two independent
audiosignal channels, andthe signalsthat are
reproducedhave a specific level andphase relationship
Stereo is better to be usedafter joiningthe
different sounds as a final phase ofwork. It will
take more time andI’llneed to tryto imagine from

IG2 Task 1
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to each other sothat whenplayedback through a
suitable reproductionsystem, there will be anapparent
image ofthe original soundsource. Stereowouldbe a
requirement if there is a need to replicate the aural
perspective and localizationof instruments ona stage or
platform, a verycommon requirement inperforming
arts centres.
http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm
what directionthe sounds come, either right or
left.
Stereo audio is much better option for any sound
sequence, as there I can freely manipulate the
panning, so the chosen sounds have a movement,
making it more interesting to the ear when e.g.
someone runs past. It’s the most basic for a
designer and good when people use only
headphones or two speakers to listen. It’s like a
practice before moving onto surround sound.
Surround Sound Surroundsoundis a term usedto describe a type of
audiooutput inwhichthe sound appears to "surround
the listener" by360 degrees. Surround soundsystems
use three or more channels andspeakers in front and
behindthe listener to create a surrounding envelope of
soundanddirectional audiosources.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/surround_sound.
html
Surroundsounds willbe the trickiest to mix, andit
will involve manyspeakers, which we don’t have in
class. However, surroundsound will addmore
excitement to the audiorecording when finished. If
the speakers won’t be to use, thenI maystayjust
with Stereo.
Direct Audio (Pulse Code
Modulation – PCM)
Pulse code modulation (PCM) is a digital representation
of an analog signal that takes samples ofthe amplitude
of the analogsignal at regular intervals. The sampled
analog data is changedto, andthenrepresentedby,
binarydata. […]Each sample ina PCMis quantized,
approximating a verylarge set ofpossible valuesbya
relativelysmallset ofvalues, which maybe integers or
even discrete symbols. No matter how complex they
are, all analog data maybe digitized. This includes
analog data suchas full-motion video, sound, telemetry
and virtualreality.
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/24128/pulse-
code-modulation-pcm
PCM allows analogue recordings to be converted
and savedas digital data.
AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue As humans, we perceive the worldin analog. Everything
we see andhear is a continuous transmission of
informationto our senses. This continuous streamis
what defines analogdata. Digital information, on the
other hand, estimatesanalog data using onlyonesand
Analogue data, thoughbetter inquality, is much
harder to edit, as the recordingis savedina
continuous line. It alsocan’t be storedon
computers unless digitised, so this data

IG2 Task 1
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zeros.
For example, a turntable (or record player) is ananalog
device, while a CD player is digital. This is because a
turntable reads bumps andgrooves from a recordas a
continuous signal, while a CD player onlyreads a series
of ones andzeros.
[…]analogdata is actuallymore accurate thandigital
data. However, digital data can canbe manipulated
easier andpreservedbetter thananalog data. More
importantly, computers can onlyhandle digital data,
which is whymost informationtodayis stored digitally.
http://techterms.com/definition/analog
Digital Mini Disc A pre-recordedMiniDisc is exactlylike a CD, except
smaller. […]A recordable MiniDisc is a magneto-optical
device capable of storing 140 megabytes ofinformation.
Music canbe scattered all over the diskandthe player
can "put it together" correctlywhenplaying the disk.
This means that you canerase andre-recordsongs on a
MiniDisc without having to worryabout how theyfit
together. This is tremendouslyconvenient comparedto
a cassette tape, where you have to basicallyre-record
the entire tape if you want to change anyof the songs
on it. There are also4-track MiniDisc recorders for
musicians, which are great for recording songs as they
are performedandthen mixing the tracks.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question55.htm
As the definition shows, the Mini Disc is suitable for
recording music, muchbetter thana regular CD. It’s
good for fewsongs, or tracks, so it maybe used to
store our soundrecordings.
Compact Disc (CD) An optical disk approximately4.75 inches (12 cm) in
diameter, on which a program, data, music, etc., is
digitallyencodedfor a laser beam to scan, decode, and
transmit to a playbacksystem, computer monitor, or
televisionset.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/compact+disk
CD, alongside withpendrive, is the most familiar
wayfor me to save data. If the soundfile will be
small enough, I couldkeep andsave them onCD,
though I prefer the other storage object.
Digital Audio Tape (DAT) DAT (Digital AudioTape)is a standard mediumand
technologyfor the digital recordingof audioon tape at a
professional level of quality. A DAT drive is a digitaltape
recorder with rotatingheads similar to those foundina
This tape recording allows tracks recordedbyit
soundmore professional.

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video deck. […]DAT hasbecome the standardarchiving
technologyinprofessionaland semi-professional
recording environments for master recordings.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/DAT-Digital-
Audio-Tape
MIDI Stands for "Musical Instrument Digital Interface." It is a
connectivitystandard that musicians use to hook
together musical instruments (suchas keyboards and
synthesizers)and computer equipment. Using MIDI, a
musiciancaneasilycreate andedit digitalmusic tracks.
The MIDI system records the notesplayed, the lengthof
the notes, the dynamics (volume alterations), the
tempo, the instrument being played, andhundreds of
other parameters, calledcontrol changes.
http://techterms.com/definition/midi
MIDI is a useful tool for musicians whowant their
songs to be recorded in a better way. It allows
them to automaticallysave the notes theyhave
been playingas well as the instrument used.
Software Sequencers In digital audiorecording, a sequencer is a program in a
computer or stand-alone keyboardunit that puts
together a sound sequence froma series (or sequence)
of MusicalInstrument DigitalInterface ( MIDI ) events
(operations).
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer
Sequencer, just like anyof MIDI instruments, allows
musicians to record music digitally.
Software Plug-ins* Software that is installedintoanexisting applicationin
order to enhance its capability. For example, plug-ins are
widelyused in image editing programs suchas
Photoshopto addsome specialeffect. Plug-ins are
added to Webbrowsers to enable them to support
different types of content (audio, video, etc.). The term
is widelyusedfor software, but canalsorefer to a plug-
in module for hardware.
http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/49395/plug
-in
Software plug-ins canincreasethe efficiencyof a
browser, for example making some of the features
to be available to use (small programmes on
websites which require java plug-in) or improving
others.
Software plugins add to software, giving more
choices to manipulate the audio. During the
exercise we uploaded VST plugins to Reaper
software.
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
MIDI keyboards, unlike the regular keyboards, are
able to connect withcomputer sothe data of the
music played is easilysaved and digitalised.

IG2 Task 1
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communicate witha computer or other MIDI-equipped
instrument.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-midi-
keyboard.htm
AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-
depth*
In digital audio, bit depthdescribes the potential
accuracyof a particular piece of hardware or software
that processes audiodata. In general, the more bits that
are available, the more accurate the resulting output
from the data being processed.
Bit depthis frequentlyencounteredinspecifications for
analog-to-digital converters ( ADCs) anddigital-to-
analog converters ( DACs), whenreading about
software plug-in , andwhenrecording audiousinga
professional medium suchas a digitalaudio workstation
or a Digital AudioTape machine.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/bit-depth
Bit depthfor audiofiles works inthe same wayas
for picture files:more bits available make the music
soundmore like anoriginaltrack we meant to
record. And lessthana robotic ‘beeping’ (unless we
intendedto make it)
While saving any sound sequence we could
change the bit rate. More of bits meant better
track as well as more taken space. I stayedwith
24Bit rate.
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 secondto
represent the event digitally.
The more samplestaken per second, the more accurate
the digital representation ofthe soundcan be.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sample-rate
Higher sample rate ofthe recording makes it sound
more accuratelyto anoriginal data and therefore it
raised its quality.
In order to make mytracks soundmore realistically
I needto make sure theydo have a highsample
rate.
While saving sound sequences there is also an
option to change the sample rate. More of it
meant more accurate scan of the audio while
rendering, but the render would last longer
depending on file length. I stayed with 48000Hz.

Sound recording glossary - IMPROVED

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