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: Nathan Mather 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 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 understand that a foley artist must make sure that the sound is in time with the image to ensure the video looks as good as it can be.

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

I know that a sound library such as a CD of a DVD is useful for transporting sound files and video files to different locations. I have gained an experience using sound libraries, this is when using reaper. I used a sound library to find different sounds that I have edited to create a sound track.

SOUND FILE FORMATS UncompressedUncompressed audio files are the most accurate digital representation of a soundwave,

but can also be the most resource-intensive method of recording and storing digital

audio, both in terms of storage and management. Their accuracy makes them suitable

for archiving and delivering audio at high resolution, and working with audio at a

professional level, and they are the 'master' audio format of choice.

http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/uncompressed-audio-file-formats

I now understand that an uncompressed audio file is the most accurate and most resourceful method of recording/ storing digital audio.

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

.wav A Wave file is an audio file format, created by Microsoft, that has become a standard PC audio file format for everything from system and game sounds to CD-quality audio. A Wave file is identified by a file name extension of WAV (.wav). Used primarily in PCs, the Wave file format has been accepted as a viable interchange medium for other computer platforms, such as Macintosh. This allows content developers to freely move audio files between platforms for

processing, for example. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Wave-file

I know now that a .wav file is an audio format which is used as the standard file format for devices such a PC or a CD. I have had experience using .wav files whilst using reaper sound software. The experience that I have gained isa when exporting an edited piece of sound into a .wav file that I can listen to at any point.

.aiff Stands for "Audio Interchange File Format." AIFF is a file format designed to store audio data. It was developed by Apple Computer, but is based on Electronic Arts' IFF

(Interchange File Format), a container format originally used on Amiga systems. http://techterms.com/definition/aiff

I understand that .aiff stands for audio interchange file format, and is designed for storing audio data.

.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 fomat.AU files contain three parts: the audio data and text

for a header (containing 24 bytes) and an annotation block. http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/AU-

Sun-NeXT-DEC-UNIX-sound-file

I now that .au is a file extension for a sound file format. I also understand that a .au file is made of three components: the audio data; the text for a header and an annotation block.

.smp Short for Symmetric Multiprocessing, a computer architecture that provides fast performance by making multiple CPUs available to complete individual processes simultaneously (multiprocessing). http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html

I know that .smp is short for Symmetric MultiProcessing and allows multiple CPUs to complete an individual process simultaneously.

Lossy Compression Lossless and lossy compression are terms that describe whether or not, in the compression of a file, all original data can be recovered when the file is uncompressed. With lossless compression, every single bit of data that was originally in the file remains after the file is uncompressed. All of the information is completely restored. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/lossless-and-lossy-compression

I understand that lossy compression means that when a compressed file is uncompressed some of the data which was in the original file will be lost.

.mp3 MP3 files are music or sound files that are digitally recorded and compressed and can be saved on your computer's hard disk to be played back. The files available from PlayDigital are all in the MP3 file format, and can be played back via Windows Media Player, iTunes or a large selection of different third party music-playing software. They can also be copied to CD or a portable music player, such as an iPod

I know that .mp3 files are music of sound files which are digitally recorded and compressed, which are then able to be saved into a computer’s hard disk to be played

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

or any other MP3 player. http://help.play.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/79/~/what-does-mp3-mean%3F

back. I now have an understanding of .mp3 files. I have gained this experience by rendering many different sound effects which I have created. Once rendered, the sound effects became .mp3 files.

AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) Alternatively referred to as a sound board or audio card, a sound card is anexpansion card or integrated circuit that provides a computer with the ability to produce sound that can be perceived by the user through a peripheral device likespeakers or headphones. Although the computer does not need a sound device to function, they are included on every machine in one form or another; either in anexpansion slot (sound

card) or on the motherboard (onboard). http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/souncard.htm

I now understand that a sound processor unit is referred to as an audio card which provides a computer which allows it to play sound through devices like speakers or headphones.

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 understand that a digital sound processor or DSP refers to the techniques which can be used to improve the reliability if digital communications, and works by standardising the levels of a digital sound.

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 it is on a CD or hard drive, the computer can access the data much faster. 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

I know that random access memory (RAM) also known as primary memory allows information to be stored quickly from random locations but the data needs power to be accessible otherwise the RAM stored data is lost. I have had experience with RAM in the past. I know that it is an amount of memory on a computer. I have had to manage my RAM to avoid running out of space to store files.

Mono Audio 1. Mono Audio. When you're using headphones, you may miss some audio if you're deaf or hard of hearing in one ear. That's because

I now understand that mono audio is the distinction between the left and right channel of

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

stereo recordings usually have distinct left- and right-channel audio tracks. https://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/

devices like headphones.

Stereo Audio 1. Audio stereo means sound which is divided into two separate channels. These two channels are played back simultaneously via separate speakers. The effect is to create a fuller sound, and provide the ability to mix certain sounds between channels. www.mediacollege.com/glossary/s/ stereo .html

I know now that stereo audio is when sound is divided into two separate channels via speakers which is to create a fuller sound.

Surround Sound )Surround sound is a term used to describe a type of audio output in which the sound appears to "surround the listener" by 360 degrees. Surround sound systems use three or more channels and speakers in front and behind the listener to create a surrounding envelope of sound and directional audio sources. The term surround sound has become popular in recent years and more commonly used since the advent of home

theater systems. Surround sound can be either an analog or digital system. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/surround_sound.html

I understand that surround sound is when sound is divided into three or more channels played through separate speakers which surround a person 360 degrees which is designed to give perspective of directions.

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

I know that direct audio is a representation of an analog signal which takes samples of the amplitude of the analog signal.

AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS

Analogue Refers to recording audio in a format of continuous vibrations that are analogous to the original sound waves. Before audio recording became digital, sounds were "carved" into vinyl records or written to tape as

magnetic waveforms. Contrast with digital audio. http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/60827/analog-audio

Analog is the recording in a format of continuous vibrations analogous to the original sound waves.

Digital Mini Disc One easy way to think about a MiniDisc is like a floppy disk -- you can record and erase files on a MiniDisc just as easily as you can on a floppy disk. The big difference between the a MiniDisc and a floppy disk is that a MiniDisc can hold about 100 times more data (about 140 megabytes in data mode, 160 megabytes in audio mode vs.

1.44 megabytes for a floppy). http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question55.htm

I understand that a digital mini disk is like a floppy disk, it is just as easy to record and erase files on a mini disk than on a floppy disk but a mini disk is able to hold 100 times more data.

Compact Disc (CD) Stands for "Compact Disc." CDs are circular discs that are 4.75 in (12 cm) in diameter. The CD standard was proposed by Sony and Philips in 1980 and the technology was introduced to the U.S. market in 1983. CDs can hold up to 700 MB of data or 80 minutes of audio. The data on a CD is stored as small notches on the disc and is read by a laser from an optical drive. The

I know that a CD (compact disk) can hold around 700MB of data or 80 minutes of audio.

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

drives translate the notches (which represent 1's and 0's) into usable data. http://techterms.com/definition/cd

Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Digital Audio Tape (DAT or R-DAT) is a signal recording and playback medium developed by Sony and introduced in 1987.[1] In appearance it is similar to a compact audio cassette, using 4 mm magnetic tape enclosed in a protective shell, but is roughly half the size at 73 mm × 54 mm × 10.5 mm. As the name suggests, the recording isdigital rather than analog. DAT has the ability to record at higher, equal or lower sampling rates than a CD (48, 44.1 or 32 kHz sampling rate respectively) at 16 bits quantization. If a digital source is copied then the DAT will produce an exact clone, unlike other digital media such as Digital Compact Cassette or non-Hi-MD MiniDisc, both of which use lossy data compression. http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Digital_Audio_Tape.html

I now know that a digital audio tape is a signal recording and playback device. It records digital audio instead of analog and has the abiliy to record at higher, equal to or lower sampling rates than a CD.

MIDI MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol designed for recording and playing back music on digital synthesizers that is supported by many makes of personal computer sound cards. Originally intended to control one keyboard from another, it was quickly adopted for the personal computer. Rather than representing musical sound directly, it transmits information about how music is produced. The command set includes note-ons, note-offs, key velocity, pitch bend and other methods of controlling a synthesizer. The sound waves produced are those already stored in a wavetable in the receiving instrument or sound card. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/MIDI-Musical-Instrument-Digital-Interface

I understand that MIDI is a designed for recording and playing back audio od digital synthesizers and is supported by many makes of sound card.

Software Sequencers In 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. The MIDI sequencer does not record the actual audio, but rather the events related to the performance - what note was played at what time, how hard the key was pressed, when did the sustain pedal get depressed, and so forth. This data is then played back into a MIDI instrument or sound module. Using this method, the performer can select a piano sound for a musical passage and later decide that the passage would work better as an organ sound. The editor can simply change the sound program on the MIDI keyboard to alter the sound without

needing to rerecord the entire performance. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer

I now understand that a software sequencer is a program in a computer or stand-alone keyboard which puts together a sound sequence from a series of musical instrument events.

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. A 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 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

I understand that a software plug in is an add-o for a program which adds functionality to it.

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

sequencing programs such as Cubase and Logic Audio. http://techterms.com/definition/plugin

MIDI Keyboard Instruments

A Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) keyboard is a musical instrument like a piano keyboard. The MIDI portion indicates that the instrument has a communication protocol built in that allows it to

communicate with a computer or other MIDI-equipped instrument. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-midi-keyboard.htm

I know that a MIDI keyboard instrument is a musical instrument like a piano. The MIDI portion shows that the instrument has a communication protocol built in which allows it to communicate to a computer or other MIDI equipment.

AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-depth

Bit depth is the number of bits used to carry the data in each sample of audio. The bit depth chosen for recording limits the dynamic range of the recording. (Other factors in the audio chain may also limit this, so more bits often will not

produce a better recording.) http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Bit_Depth

I now know that bit depth is the number of bits used to carry data in each sample of audio.

File Size Constraints - Sample Rate

1. bitrate: simply amount of data per second, this can vary within a file (variable bit

rate) or have a static value

2. sample rate: a frequency of how many times audio is measured per second,

usually measured in kilohertz (kHz); a usual number you might see is 44.1kHz.

This is tied directly to bit depth or the number of bits measured in each cycle

So at this point, we have to do some math and see that bit rate is bits per second

(usually measured in Mbits/seconds), so bit rate = sample rate x bit depth. As far as I

know, your sample size would simply be one of these one-second chunks of data.

Doing the pure math will reveal that these files would be very large, however there are

a number of compression algorithms employed to keep the files lower without losing

significant quality. http://superuser.com/questions/388382/what-does-the-sample-rate-

and-sample-size-of-audio-means

I understand that sample rate is a frequency of how many times audio is measured per second and is usually measured in kilohertz.

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