Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 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: Ben White 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 is the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to film, video, and other mediums in post-production to enhance audio quality. These reproduced sounds can be anything from the swishing of clothing and footsteps to squeaky doors and breaking glass. The best foley art is so well integrated into a film that it goes unnoticed by the audience.[2] It helps to create a sense of reality within a scene. Without these crucial background noises, movies feel unnaturally quiet and uncomfortable.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_(filmmaking)

We could use Foley artistry to create specific audio for our GTA 5 cut sequence audio production. We could gather sounds such as footsteps to make listeners believe the characters are actually walking somewhere for example.

Sound Libraries“A sample library is a collection of digital sound recordings, known as samples, for use by composers,

arrangers, performers, and producers of music. The sound files are loaded into a sampler - either

hardware or computer-based - which is then used to create music. Sample libraries appear in a variety of

forms:

As a tempo-based musical phrase that can be looped (repeated in tempo with the arrangement), or

edited in a cut and paste collage fashion (often utilizing programs such as Propllerhead's Recycle).

Collections of note-by-note recordings of musical instruments for playback on a digital sampler, known

Sound libraries are important because if you have one, then you will have a large collection of sounds which you have made or recorded which you can use in future productions. This can save time as you won’t need to create a new piece or record one. We use sound libraries in our

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

as multi-samples. This method of sample playback is to construct a playable instrument, or emulation of

another instrument, from a sampler or computer.

One-shot hits or stabs of non-tempo based audio. Particularly used for sound effects.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sample_library

own practice so we can use sound editing software’s to manipulate them and create specific sounds or more realistic sounds. We can even use them to create music pieces by using our already-recorded pieces.

SOUND FILE FORMATS

Uncompressed “Uncompressed formats like CD Audio, WAV, or AIFF are pretty much perfect representations of the audio that was recorded.

https://www.prx.org/help/posting-audio/compressed-versus-uncompressed”

We could use an uncompressed file format in our productions so that we have the full file as it was when we recorded it.

.wav “The format for storing sound in files developed jointly by Microsoft and 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.”http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/WAV.html

We already use .wav files in our practice by making sure Reaper converts our productions into this format. This is because .wav is one of the most supported formats for sound and many sites use this such as sound cloud where we can upload our work.

.aiff “Short for Audio Interchange File Format, a common format for storing and transmitting sampled sound. The format was developed by Apple Computer and is the standard audio format forMacintosh computers. It is also used by Silicon Graphics Incorporated (SGI).AIFF files generally end with a .AIF or .IEF extension.The AIFF format does not support data compression so AIFF files tend to be large. However, there is another format called AIFF-Compressed (AIFF-C or AIFC) that supports compression ratios as high as 6:1.”

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/AIFF.html

We could use .aiff file formats to get uncompressed files if they are necessary. They also offer a lot of flexibility if editing and copying.

.au “Short for audio, a common format for sound files on UNIXmachines. It is also the standard audio file format for the Javaprogramming language. AU files generally end with a .auextension . On PCs, two other popular sound formats are WAV andMIDI.”

The .au file format would be most appropriate if

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/AU.html we were using or writing a java script as the two fit together.

.smp “ Short for Symmetric Multiprocessing, a computer architecturethat provides fast performance by making multiple CPUs available to complete individual processes simultaneously (multiprocessing). Unlike asymmetrical processing, any idle processor can be assigned any task, and additional CPUs can be added to improve performance and handle increased loads. A variety of specialized operating systems and hardware arrangements are available to support SMP. Specific applications can benefit from SMP if the code allows multithreading. SMP uses a single operating system and shares common memory and disk input/output resources. Both UNIX and Windows NT support SMP Short for Simple Management Protocol, another name for SNMP2. SNMP2 is an enhanced version of theSimple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) with features required to support larger networks operating at high data transmission rates. SNMP2 also supports multiple network management workstations organized in a hierarchical fashion.”

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html

.smp would be a good file format to use if you are trying to, for example, render a large file, as it can use multiple cpus to process the information.

Lossy Compression “Lossy compression works very differently. These programs simply eliminate "unnecessary" bits of information, tailoring the file so that it is smaller. This type of compression is used a lot for reducing the file size of bitmap pictures, which tend to be fairly bulky”

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/file-compression3.htm

We could use lossy compression to ensure that our files don’t carry any unnecessary data and clog up the storage device on a computer.

.mp3 “MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3) is a standard technology and format for compressing a sound sequence into a very small file (about one-twelfth the size of the original file) while preserving the original level of sound quality when it is played. MP3 files (identified with the file name suffix of ".mp3") are available for downloading from a number of Web sites. Many Windows users will find that they have a player built into their operating system.”http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/MP3-MPEG-1-Audio-Layer-3

We could convert our sound files into MP3s to ensure the sound we produce still sounds good, and the file size is not too much.

AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU)

“A sound card (also known as an audio card) is an internal computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. The term sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces that use software to generate sound, as opposed to using hardware inside the PC. Typical uses of sound cards include providing the audio component for multimedia applications such as music composition, editing video or audio,

We use audio cards inside the computer to listen to the sounds we produce. Without one, we could not hear what we are making so it

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

presentation, education and entertainment (games) and video projection.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card

would be very hard to produce anything.

Digital Sound Processor (DSP)

“Digital signal processing (DSP) refers to various techniques for improving the accuracy and reliability of digital communications. The theory behind DSP is quite complex. Basically, DSP works by clarifying, or standardizing, the levels or states of a digital signal. ADSP circuit is able to differentiate between human-made signals, which are orderly, and noise, which is inherently chaotic.”http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/digital-signal-processing-DSP

I could use DSP in order to improve my tracks, however, it would seem this process could be complex

Random Access Memory (RAM)

“Alternatively 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 a CD or hard drive the computer is able to access the data much faster than it would if it was only reading the hard drive. However, unlike ROM and the hard drive RAM 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

With a large RAM, we are able to use more programs on a computer at one time without the work of operating them becoming too much for the machine. We could also use RAM to ensure loading times and programs run quicker.

Mono Audio Mono or monophonic describes a system where all the audio signals are mixed together and routed through a single audio channel.http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm

We could use mono audio to hear what our sound file sounds like all at once through one speaker or headphone.

Stereo Audio Stereo (or Stereophonic sound) is the reproduction of sound using two or more independent audio channels in a way that creates the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearinghttp://www.diffen.com/difference/Mono_vs_Stereo

Stereo audio can be used by connecting 3 or more speakers to one computer. We could then play the audio file and then hear what it sounds like at a larger volume and as if somebody was playing it right in front of us.

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/search?q=mono+audio&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-

Using surround sound, we could set up several speakers around a room

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=l-VHU6O5LKfY8gf48YHIDw#channel=sb&q=define+surround+sound&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official

connected to one computer, and then play the sound file so that the sound fills the room and sounds more realistic.

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 from 8,000 to 192,000, is usually several times the maximum frequency of the analog waveform in Hertz (Hz), or cycles per second, which ranges from 8 to 192 KHz.

The word pulse refers to pulses found in transmission lines, which are a natural consequence of two other almost simultaneously evolved analog methods: pulse width modulation and pulse position modulation, where each uses discrete signal pulses of varying widths or positions. Otherwise, PCM has little similarity to these other forms of signal encoding. These methodologies were introduced to the U.S. in the early 1960s as telephone companies began converting voice to digital signals to facilitate transmission between cities.

http://www.techopedia.com/definition/24128/pulse-code-modulation-pcm

A PCM based system would mean that signal processing would be more efficient.

AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS

Analogue describes a device or system that represents changing values as continuously variable physical quantities. A typical analog device is a clock in which the hands move continuously around the face. Such a clock is capable of indicating every possible time of day. In contrast, a digital clock is capable of representing only a finite number of times (every tenth of a second, for example)http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/analog.html

I could use an Analogue system to create a full sound. An analogue sounds would be the entire sound how it was recorded. If it were digital, it would replicate that sound and create a very fast strobe effect when sound would start and stop. This however, is unnoticeable

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

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. It is a much smaller version of a regular CDhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiniDisc

We could use a digital mini disc to save our files too as a backup for example. Mini discs are more portable due to their smaller size, so should also be easier to store and keep safe.

Compact Disc (CD) A compact disc [sometimes spelled disk] (CD) is a small, portable, round medium made of molded polymer (close in size to the floppy disk) for electronically recording, storing, and playing back audio, video, text, and other information in digital form.http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/compact-disc

We could also store our files on a CD. A CD has a larger storage space that a mini disc, so could be more useful to those who have a lot of files to store. They could also be used for CD players to play our audio samples or pieces.

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 at sample rates of 44.1 kHz, the CD audio standard, and 48 kHz.http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/DAT-Digital-Audio-Tape

We could also store our files on a DAT, however, DATs are seen to be out of date, so say you want to use a DAT to play your files, you would probably struggle to find a device which play this format.

MIDI Stands for "Musical Instrument Digital Interface." It is a connectivity standard that musicians use to hook together musical instruments (such as keyboards and synthesizers) and computer equipment. Using MIDI, a musician can easily create and edit digital music tracks. The MIDI system records the notes played, the length of the notes, the dynamics (volume alterations), the tempo, the instrument being played, and hundreds of other parameters, called control changes.http://www.techterms.com/definition/midi

A MIDI is really useful in sound production. We can use a MIDI on the program Reaper to create musical pieces in a piano format and also use plugins to alter the sound to make it sound like a guitar for example.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Software Sequencers Most computers have software programs which turn the computer into a sequencer. With a sound card installed inside of the computer, the sequencer can playback musical performances without even needing external MIDI sound modules (since most sequencers can use software instruments that can recognize and properly "play" the MIDI messages to a digital audio card's line out. In effect, the software instrument converts the MIDI messages into digital audio, using its own set of piano, guitar, drums, strings, etc waveforms loaded into your computer's RAM).http://home.roadrunner.com/~jgglatt/tutr/whatsseq.htm

We could use software sequencers to play back our MIDI audio or convert it to sound like another instrument.

Software Plug-ins In computing, a plug-in (or plugin, extension, or add-on / addon) is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing software application. When an application supports plug-ins, it enables customization. The common examples are the plug-ins used in web browsers to add new features such as search-engines, virus scanners, or the ability to utilize a new file type such as a new video format.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_%28computing%29

Plugins are very useful on sound editing software’s. For our practice, we could download a bunch of plugins for the MIDI so we can experiment with various types of instruments to create pieces. Plugins are made usually by the public as a means to improve the software.

MIDI Keyboard Instruments

A 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. This could also be a personal computer running software such as a digital audio workstation (DAW) that listens to and sends MIDI information to other MIDI devices connected by cable or running internal to the personal computer system. The basic MIDI keyboard does not produce sound. Instead, MIDI information is sent to an electronic module capable of

These keyboard instruments follow a piano style interface and we have used these quite a lot in the Reaper software. It allows us to create music pieces using the notes on the piano provided. To create these pieces, a MIDI is opened within the software which looks like a virtual piano. We can then open

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

reproducing an array of digital sounds or samples that resemble traditional analog musical instruments. These samples or waveforms are also referred to as voices or timbres.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_keyboard

our currect MIDI track and use the MIDI keyboard/piano to add, place and edit notes. We can then use plugins to change the sound of these notes.

AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-depth

In 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.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_bit_depth

I coul use bit depth to measure how large my sound would be. I could also decide how many bits per sample I could fit on a specific disc.

File Size Constraints - Sample Rate

When it is necessary to capture audio covering the entire 20–20,000 Hz range of human hearing,[4]  such as when recording music or many types of acoustic events, audio waveforms are typically sampled at 44.1 kHz (CD), 48 kHz (professional audio), 88.2 kHz, or 96 kHz.[5]  The approximately double-rate requirement is a consequence of the Nyquist theorem. Sampling rates higher than about 50 kHz to 60 kHz cannot supply more usable information for human listeners. Early professional audio equipment manufacturers chose sampling rates in the region of 50 kHz for this reason.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampling_%28signal_processing%29

I need to ensure that the sample rate is somewhere in the range of 20-20000 so oher humans can hear it.

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