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: Shaun Warburton

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 is a person who creates (or re-creates) sounds for movies. For example, if the sound of an actor's footsteps were not recorded well or lost when the voice was re-recorded, a Foley artist will recreate them. In fact, except for dialogue and music, almost all the sounds you hear in Hollywood films is Foley sound.” http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/film/foley-artist.html

This meaning is relevant to my work as I used various methods to create my own sound such as switching a light switch off to make a shooting effect

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

This is relevant to my production as it helps store a collection of sounds that I have produced.

SOUND FILE FORMATS

Uncompressed “(Of data) not compressed.”http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/uncompressed

We use our files in a uncompressed state to achieve full quality in the sound.

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

.wav “WAV is the format used 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/DidYouKnow/Computer_Science/digital_audio_formats.asp

I used this file format to save my work that I was creating

.aiff “("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://www.techterms.com/definition/aiff

This file format is used for saving the audio.

.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

This file format is used for saving the audio.

.smp “An ".smp" file may be one of several different types of audio file. For example, it could be a SampleVision audio sample file. This 16-bit audio file was originally used by Turtle Beach SampleVision; you can open it with Adobe Auction, Sound Forge Pro or Awave Studio. It could also be a sample file for AdLib Gold, a PC sound card released in 1992; Scream Tracker, a mid-1990s music editing program; or Swell. Reason, a music recording and production program, uses the ".smp" extension for sampler instrument patches.”http://www.ehow.com/info_12198596_file-smp.html

This file format is used for saving the audio.

Lossy Compression “Lossy file compression results in lost data and quality from the original version. Lossy compression is typically associated with image files, such as JPEGs, but can also be used for audio files, like MP3s or AAC files. The "lossyness" of an image file may show up as jagged edges or pixelated areas. In audio files, the lossyness may produce a watery sound or reduce the dynamic range of the audio.”http://www.techterms.com/definition/lossy

It is a encoding method that helps to compress data by discarding/losing some of the data which helps lower the memory while still keeping a good quality of sound.

.mp3 “Stands for "MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3." MP3 is popular compressed audio file format that helped popularize digital music downloads beginning in the late 1990s. MP3 files are typically about one tenth the size of uncompressed WAVE or AIFF files, but maintain nearly the same CD-quality sound. Because of their small size and good fidelity, MP3 files have become a popular way to store music files on both computers and portable devices like the iPod.”http://www.techterms.com/definition/mp3

This file format is used for saving the audio.

AUDIO LIMITATIONS

Sound Processor Unit (SPU)

A sound 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.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card

The sound processor just processes the data of the audio file into a sound when

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

then in turn lets you play through a speaker.

Digital Sound Processor (DSP)

The digital processing unit (DPU) consists of 4 digital signal processors. One processor is assigned to the red detector data (red processor), two to the blue detector data (blue processor 1 and 2) and the fourth, 'white' or master processor has been allocated image shifting and recognition tasks.http://xmm.esac.esa.int/external/xmm_user_support/documentation/socdoc/socdoc/instdocs/om_gsrq/node188.html

This process of the digital sound processor helps to convert analogue information into an audible sound this is then helped by the use of a speaker.

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.”http://www.techterms.com/definition/ram

This is what helped me create more in detail work

Mono Audio Monaural or monophonic sound reproduction (often shortened to mono) is single-channel. Typically there is only one microphone, one loudspeaker, or (in the case of headphones and multiple loudspeakers) channels are fed from a common signal path. In the case of multiple microphones the paths are mixed into a single signal path at some stage.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monaural

Mono audio is the kind of sound that comes out of the computers speakers. Also mono is the most basic format of sound ouput.

Stereo Audio True stereophonic sound systems have two independent audio signal channels, and the signals that are 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 apparent image of the original sound source. Stereo would be a requirement if there is a need to replicate the aural perspective and localization of instruments on a stage or platform, a very common requirement in performing arts centres.http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm

These days most people use headphones rather than speakers by doing this I believe that we have a stereo output as the sound is coming drom two speakers hense the two headphone/earphone buds.

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

Surround sound is a numerous amount of

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

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

speakers around the room, the speakers are sent different information for the alignment of the sound. When the speakers are set up properly, this would help you get more involved in the experience with sounds coming from 360 degrees around you.

Direct Audio (Pulse Code Modulation – PCM)

Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used to digitally represent sampled analog 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 analog 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 a digital portrayal of audio.

AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS

Analogue As humans, we perceive the world in analogue. Everything we see and hear is a continuous transmission of information to our senses. This continuous stream is what defines analog data. Digital information, on the other hand, estimates analogue data using only ones and zeros.

For example, a turntable (or record player) is an analogue device, while a CD player is digital. This is because a turntable reads bumps and grooves from a record as a continuous signal, while a CD player only reads a series of ones and zeros. Likewise, a VCR is an analogue device, while a DVD player is digital. A VCR reads audio and video from a tape as a continuous stream of information, while a DVD player just reads ones and zeros from a disc.

Since digital devices read only ones and zeros, they can only approximate an audio or video signal. This means analogue data is actually more accurate than digital data. However, digital data can can be manipulated easier and preserved better than analogue data. More importantly, computers can only handle digital data, which is why most information today is stored digitally. But if you want to transfer video from old analogue video tapes into your computer so you can edit them, you're not out of luck. You can use a digital to analogue converter (DAC) to convert the analogue information into a digital signal that can be recognized by your computer.

http://www.techterms.com/definition/analog

Analogue is everything we see and hear is a continuous transmission of information to our senses for example; a handful of pebbles being thrown into a lake/river we as humans are able to recognise this sound as the vibrations through the air help.

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 market from September 1992 until March 2013.

I have used mini discs in my work to help transport my work

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiniDisc around different work stations. I used them a lot while doing my environmental recordings and voice recordings.

Compact Disc (CD) CDs were read-only, but newer technology allows users to record as well. CDs will probably continue to be popular for music recording and playback.http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/compact-disc

Compact discs are a method that helps to store music and also play music.

Digital Audio Tape (DAT)

a type of magnetic tape that uses a scheme called helical scan to record data. A DAT cartridge is slightly larger than a credit card in width and height and contains a magnetic tape that can hold from 2 to 24 gigabytes of data.http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/DAT.html

DAT (Digital Audio Tape) is used to help store the audio data and keeping a very high quality of sound.

MIDI “Short for musical instrument digital interface, MIDI is a standard adopted by the electronic music industry for controlling devices, such as synthesizers and sound cards, that emit music. At minimum, a MIDI representation of a sound includes values for the note's pitch, length, and volume. It can also include additional characteristics, such as attack and delay time.”http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Computer_Science/digital_audio_formats.asp

I used the MIDI keyboard a lot this helped me create random and various sounds

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.http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer

We used a programme to help us produce and create our very own sound this programme is called Reaper

Software Plug-ins Plug-in applications are programs that can easily be installed and used as part of your Web browser. Initially, the Netscape browser allowed you to download, install, and define supplementary programs that played sound or motion video or performed other functions.http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/plug-in

I used the plug-ins to put an effect on my sounds that I had created

MIDI Keyboard Instruments

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.http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/MIDI-Musical-Instrument-Digital-Interface

These are fundamentally the tools that I used to help aid myself in creating sound with a MIDI. Each instrument that I used had its own

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

unique setting which helped me to create a variety of sounds.

AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-depth

The number of binary bits (ones and zeroes) used to record the sampled level of the waveform. Thus 8-bit sampling uses an 8 digit binary number to record the level, giving 2^8, or 256 potential values.

Bit depth determines the ratio between the quietest and loudest signals the system can record (dynamic range); 16 bit has 65,536 possible values (i.e. 2^16), and hence a far higher dynamic range (96dB) than 8-bit recording. 24-bit sampling has 16,777,216 discrete levels, giving 144dB dynamic range, which exceeds the tolerances of human hearing.http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/uncompressed-audio-file-formats

While lossy compression helps to reduce the memory while keeping the quality at a good level, however keeping the memory very high improves the sound quality at a greater level.

File Size Constraints - Sample Rate

In signal processing, sampling is the reduction of a continuous signal to a discrete signal. A common example is the conversion of a sound wave (a continuous signal) to a sequence of samples (a discrete-time signal).A sample refers to a value or set of values at a point in time and/or space.

A sampler is a subsystem or operation that extracts samples from a continuous signal.A theoretical ideal sampler produces samples equivalent to the instantaneous value of the continuous signal at the desired points.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampling_(signal_processing)

When rendering out my sound, the monitor would display a sample rate. When I looked it up I learnt that it is a visual indicator of the sound quality.

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