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: Brienna Hick 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

Foley Artistry is the creation and matching of sound effects to the actions happening in a picture. These effects are not cut in with the film and are laid manually.

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

A sound library is where they store a collection of sounds that can be taken out and used at any time. They can be stored on CDs, DVDs or as a digital audio file.From using the sound library in reaper I have found that often the sounds are very basic and are not perfect copies of the sounds they are simulating. However I did find the sound library to be very useful as it allowed me to grab any sound I may need easily without having to create or purchase the sound.

SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed Uncompressed 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

Uncompressed audio files are the “master” audio format as they are the most accurate digital representation of a soundwave. This accuracy makes them the most suitable for storing and delivering high resolution audio and working with audio at a professional level.

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

.wav Waveform Audio File Format (WAVE, or more commonly known as WAV due to its filename extension) (rarely, Audio for Windows) is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAV

.wav or waveform is an audio file format that is the standard file type for storing audio bitstream on PCs.

.aiff Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF) is an audio file format standard used for storing sound data for personal computers and other electronic audio devices.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Interchange_File_Format

AIFF is a file format which is used for the storage of sound data on PCs and other electronic audio devices.

.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

An .au file is a file containing three parts (audio data, text for the header and an annotation block) and Is a sound file format that belongs to Sun and used in UNIX.

.smp Music file used by SmartMusic, a music practice application for band, orchestra, and voice; saves an accompaniment that can be used for practicing solos and other musical parts; includes the sheet music information and can be used for assessment; replaced by the .SMPX in Finale 2014.http://fileinfo.com/extension/smp

.smp is a file type used by SmartMusic.

Lossy Compression lossy compression reduces a file by permanently eliminating certain information, especially redundant information. When the file is uncompressed, only a part of the original information is still there (although the user may not notice it). Lossy compression is generally used for video and sound, where a certain amount of information loss will not be detected by most users.http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/lossless-and-lossy-compression

Lossy compression eliminates certain information from a file permanently in order to reduce it. Only some of the original information will still be present once the file is uncompressed, although the user may not notice this as it usually loses the redundant aspects of the file.

.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 provides near CD quality audio.http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/MP3-MPEG-Audio-Layer-3-AC3-file

Mp3 compresses a sound sequence into a smaller file whilst still keeping its original sound quality when played.

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

AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) The SPU is the unit responsible for all aural capabilities of the 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

Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Digital signal processors take a digital signal and process it to improve the signal into clearer sound, faster data or sharper images. Digital Signal Processors use video, voice, audio, temperature or position signals that have been digitized and mathematically manipulate them.http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/microprocessors/digital-signal-processors.aspx

Digital signal processors process a digital signal and improve the signal so that it is clearer. This is used to create clearer sound, faster data or sharper images.

Random Access Memory (RAM) RAM (pronounced ramm) is an acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+random+access+memory

Random access memory is the most common type of memory found in computers and devices such as printers, in RAM any byte of memory can be accessed without having to touch any of the preceding bytes.

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

Mono Audio is when the sound is played through one speaker as a whole rather than split into two separate left and right channels.

Stereo Audio 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.http://www.mediacollege.com/glossary/s/stereo.html

Stereo Audio is when the sound is played through two speakers separated into a left and right channel to give a more full sound to the track. It can also be used to show movement from one area to another, we used this technique in reaper.

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

Surround sound is when the audio plays through three or more channels that surround the listener. This creates a surrounding envelope of sound. It also provides directional audio sources.

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

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

PCM is used to digitally represent sampled analogue signals. The analogue signal is sampled regularly at uniform intervals.

AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue Analog (or analogue) recording (Greek, ana is "according to" and logos "relationship") is a technique used for the recording of analog signals which, among many possibilities, analog audio and analog video for later playback. Analog recording methods store signals as a continuous signal in or on the media.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_recording

Analogue is a recording technique which records analogue signals which it then stores as a continuous signal in or on the media.

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

A Minidisc can be used to record or erase files and holds about 140 – 160 megabytes of data.

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

A compact disc is a form of portable electronic storage that can be used for recording or playing back videos, audio and other digital information.

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

Digital Audio tape is used for the digital recording of audio onto a tape at a professional level of quality.

MIDI MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol developed in the 1980's which allows electronic instruments and other digital musical tools to communicate with each

MIDI is a protocol allowing electronic instruments and other digital tools to communicate; this was developed in the

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

other.http://www.instructables.com/id/What-is-MIDI/

1980’s.

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

A software sequencer is a programme that puts a sequence of sounds from a series of MIDI events. We used reaper and it was very simple to sequence the sounds together. When using this we were able to change the pitch length volume and use many other editing tools.

Software Plug-ins In computing, a plug-in (or add-in / addin, 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.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_%28computing%29

A software plug-in is an extension to an existing piece of software that adds a specific feature or customizable option.

MIDI Keyboard Instruments MIDI musical instruments, also known as synthesizers, come in all different shapes and sizes. Their chief characteristic -- or what differentiates them from MIDI controllers -- is that they generate sound as well as MIDI data.http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/midi2.htm

MIDI instruments will generate sound as well as MIDI data, these are also known as synthesizers.

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.http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Bit_Depth

The bit-depth will limit the dynamic range that the recording can reach.

File Size Constraints - Sample Rate

Sample rate is the number of samples of audio carried per second, measured in Hz or kHz (one kHz being 1 000 Hz). For example, 44 100 samples per second can be expressed as either 44 100 Hz, or 44.1 kHz.Bandwidth is the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies carried in an audio stream. The sample rate of playback or recording determines the maximum audio frequency that can be reproduced.http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Sample_Rates

The sample rate which can be measured as KHz or Hz is the number of samples of audio that are carried per second. The sample rate of the playback or recording shows the maximum audio frequency that it can reproduce. Editing the audio frequency can change the pitch and speed that the audio gets played back. Doing this can completely change the original sound into something totally different. Such as making a bees buzz to sound like a plane.

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