Sound recording glossary updated
- 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: 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 ofa door and sound of the wind.Also if I included fight scenes manyofmy sound effects would use the Foley technique.This production technique is the bestfrom making your work as realistic as possible. 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 formatand 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 itselfwhen 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 ifI was transporting a large audio file such as a song or instrumental Icould play in a certain back ground.Also I can use it to share myaudio with other people in a fastand small formatso there opinion can be administered to my work. .wav The formatfor storing sound in files developed jointly by Microsoftand IBM. Supportfor WAV files was builtinto Windows 95 making itthe de facto standard for sound on PCs.WAV sound files end with a.wav extension and can be played by nearly all I would use .Wav to access and listen to all the small sound as itis very easy and can be found on any computer.
- 2. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 2 Windows applications thatsupportsound. 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 acceptAIFF or SDII files interchangeablywhen 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 formatwhen 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 easilybeing able to transfer to a CD. .au 1. The Au file format is a simple audio file formatintroduced bySun Microsystems.The formatwas common on NeXT systems and on early Web pages.Originallyit was headerless,being simply8-bit µ-law-encoded data atan 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 basicallyanywhere 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 accompanimentthatcan be used for practicing solos and other musical parts;includes the sheetmusic information and can be used for assessment;replaced by the .SMPX in Finale 2014. http://fileinfo.com/extension/smp I would use this file formatif I have made instrumental using classic instruments to maybe add a dramatic effect to the game in whatever format. Lossy Compression lossycompression reduces a file by permanentlyeliminating certain information,especiallyredundantinformation.When the file is uncompressed,onlya part of the original information is still there (although the user may not notice it). Lossycompression is generallyused for video and sound,where a certain amountof information loss will notbe detected by mostusers. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/lossless-and-lossy- compression I would mostlikelyuse this in the case of sending music again as itwould make the file smaller and easier to send withoutany real noticeable change to the file. .mp3 a means ofcompressing a sound sequence into a very small file, to enable digital storage and transmission. https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome- 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.
- 3. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 3 instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+mp3 AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) The SPU is the unit responsible for all aural capabilities ofthe 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 mostlikelyuse this while recording the sound and or instrumental to help me acquire the bestquality 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 thathas an architecture which is optimized for the fast operational needs ofdigital signal processing.A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) can process data in real time, making itideal for applications thatcan’ttolerate delays. Digital signal processors take a digital signal and process itto 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 myfinal 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 memorythat can be access randomly;that is, any byte of memorycan be accessed withouttouching the preceding bytes.RAM is the mostcommon type of memoryfound 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 throughoutthe college system.This really helps when moving from computer and computer to make sure your work stays assessable. 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 ofmono systems include single channel centre clusters,mono splitcluster systems,and distributed loudspeaker systems with and withoutarchitectural delays. http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm I will use the MONO sound system to listen through my sounds atthe best quality. Stereo Audio True stereophonic sound systems have two independent audio signal channels,and the signals thatare 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 apparentimage ofthe original sound source.Stereo would be a requirementifthere is a need to replicate the aural perspective and localization of instruments on a stage or platform,a very common requirementin performing arts centres. I would use the stereo sound ifI was to add instrumentals to my sounds so that the quality is the bestit can possiblybe.
- 4. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 4 http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm Surround Sound A system of stereophonyinvolving 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 ofmy sound effects and instrumentals. Direct Audio (Pulse Code Modulation – PCM) Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used to digitally representsampled analog signals.It is the standard form of digital audio in computers, CompactDiscs,digital telephonyand other digital audio applications.In a PCM stream, the amplitude ofthe analog signal is sampled regularlyatuniform intervals,and each sample is quantized to the nearestvalue within a range of digital steps. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-code_modulation I would use this method to show samples ofmy sound effects and so I can show mysounds to other people. AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue Also spelled analogue,describes a device or system that represents changing values as continuouslyvariable physical quantities. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/analog.html I would use analogue ifI was to add or increase an aspectofan 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 marketfrom September 1992 until March 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiniDisc This would be used to make my sound and instrumentals portable. This will be good if you wish to take your sounds elsewhere and show people Compact Disc (CD) Compactdisc (CD) is a digital optical disc data storage format.The formatwas originallydeveloped to store and play only sound recordings butwas 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 CompactDisc (VCD), Super Video CompactDisc (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 technologyfor the digital recording of audio on tape at a professional level of I would use this to help me record voice and or live music being played
- 5. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 5 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 at sample rates of44.1 kHz, the CD audio standard,and 48 kHz. DAT has become the standard archiving technologyin professional and semi-professional recording environments for master recordings.Digital inputs and outputs on professional DATdecks allow the user to transfer recordings from the DAT tape to an audio workstation for precise editing.The compactsize and low costof the DAT medium makes itan excellent way to compile the recordings thatare going to be used to create a CD master. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/DAT-Digital-Audio-Tape with instrumentals. MIDI is a technical standard thatdescribes a protocol,digital interface and connectors and allows a wide variety of electronic musical instruments,computers and other related devices to connectand communicate with one another. A single MIDI link can carry up to sixteen channels ofinformation,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 easyway. Software Sequencers N digital audio recording,a sequencer is a program in a computer or stand-alone keyboard unitthat puts together a sound sequence from a series (or sequence) ofMusical InstrumentDigital Interface (MIDI ) events (operations).The MIDI sequencer allows the user to record and edita musical performance withoutusing an audio- based inputsource.The performance is recorded as a series of events that would ordinarilybe played in from a keyboard instrument. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer I woulduse thisto finallycompile all sounds ofinstruments to create one final piece inan easyway. Alsothis couldsave plentyof time for placing the sounds in the correct order yourself. Software Plug-ins Most graphics and audio programs todaysupportplug-ins since they are a convenientway to expand the capabilities ofthe program.Though some plug-ins maybe shipped with the program, mostare developed by third-parties and are sold separately. Because companies thatmake browser plug-ins are often competing for a standard (such as Flash and QuickTime), these plug-ins are usuallyavailable as free downloads from the Internet. http://techterms.com/definition/plugin I woulduse thisto adapt mysoftware to the current specifications I needto produce the highest qualitysound and or instrumental. MIDI Keyboard Instruments Short for Musical InstrumentDigital Interface, MIDI is a standard for digitally representing and transmitting sounds thatwas first I have usedthe MIDI keyboardto make my own sounds to fit myfinal cut
- 6. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 6 developed in the 1980s.The MIDI sound is played back through the hardware device or computer either through a synthesized 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 thatdevice's capability. http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/midi.htm sequence AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-depth n digital audio using pulse-code modulation (PCM),bit depth is the number ofbits of information in each sample,and it directly corresponds to the resolution ofeach sample.Examples ofbit depth include CompactDisc Digital Audio,which uses 16 bits per sample,and DVD-Audio and Blu-ray Disc which can supportup to 24 bits per sample. In basic implementations,variations in bitdepth primarilyaffect 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 withoutchanging 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 lossycompression formats like MP3, AAC and Vorbis, do not have associated bitdepths.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 helpme to make sure the sound files willnot get over capacityas it will place a restrictionontothe file. File Size Constraints - Sample Rate Signal processing,sampling is the reduction ofa continuous signal to a discrete signal.A common example is the conversion of a sound wave (a continuous signal) to a sequence ofsamples (a discrete-time signal).Asample refers to a value or setof values at a pointin time and/or space. A sampler is a subsystem or operation that extracts samples from a continuous signal.A theoretical ideal sampler produces samples equivalentto the instantaneous value ofthe continuous signal atthe desired points I woulduse thisifthe file size hadto be restrictedas it was toobig, This can be a good wayto manage your sound files.
- 7. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampling_%28signal_processing%29