![Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
3
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.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html
Random access memory is
memory that can be accessed by
a computer at random. This
would be good to save into.
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
I used the Mono Audio in lesion
when we wanted a sound from a
direct object.
Stereo Audio Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method of sound reproduction
that creates an illusion of directionality and audible perspective. This is usually
achieved by using two or more independent audio channels through a configuration
of two or more loudspeakers (or stereo headphones)in such a way as to create the
impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound
A Stereo Audio is use to catch
audio that is being heard in
various places.
Surround Sound Surround sound is a technique for enriching the sound reproduction quality of an
audio source with additional audio channels from speakers that surround the listener
(surround channels), providing sound from a 360° radius in the horizontal plane (2D)
as opposed to "screen channels" (centre, [front] left, and [front] right) originating
only from the listener's forward arc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surround_sound
I use the Surround Sound when
we had to record a sound of a
crowed place.
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
Pulse-code modulation is a steam
of analog signals that are easy to
finalise quantized.
AUDIO RECORDING
SYSTEMS
Analogue The basic principle of disk recording is very simple. Displacement of the microphone
diaphragm is transformed into a wiggley groove on a moving piece of vinyl. A stylus
tracing the wiggles exactly reproduces the motion of the diaphragm at the time the
recording was made. Electricity is really incidental to the process, used as a
convenient way to connect the microphone to the cutter and the pickup to the
speaker.
http://artsites.ucsc.edu/ems/Music/tech_background/TE-19/teces_19.html
This is data deposited and
enhanced to speakers produced
which results into a much better
quality production.
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
A digital mini disc is a small disc
which would be good to use if in
needed in less space.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/ig2task1worksheetrevisited-140618042702-phpapp02/85/Ig2-task-1-work-sheet-revisited-3-320.jpg)
Ig2 task 1 work sheet (revisited)
- 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: Dylan Jones 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 media 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. 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) A Foley Artistry is a sound effect that is used in the media franchise like films and videos to make sounds that fit in the background. I have done this in my GTA cut scene by adding effects I found suitable in the cut scene. 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. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sample_library I used the Sound Library to store the entire sound file in so I can have easy accesses to them. 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 An uncompressed file is a file that has a high level of resolution and makes it the best it can be. I would use this for my sound files. .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 I have used a .WAV file for sound files so I could upload them to blogger. .aiff AIFF is short for Audio Interchange File Format, which is an audio format initially An .aiff file is a sound file which is
- 2. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 2 created by Apple Computer for storing and transmitting high-quality sampled audio data. It supports a variety of bit resolutions, sample rates, and channels of audio. This format is quite popular upon Apple platforms, and is commonly adopted in professional programs that handle digital audio waveforms. http://www.abyssmedia.com/formats/aiff-format.shtml made for any apple computer sound program like garage band. .au The Au file format is a simple audio file format introduced by Sun Microsystems. The format was common on NeXT systems and on early Web pages. Originally it was headerless, being simply 8-bit µ-law-encoded data at an 8000 Hz sample rate. https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Au_file_format.html An .AU sound file is used as an easy going sound file that will be 8-bit. .smp The file extension ".smp" shows up on several different types of files used for very different programs including audio files, images and email messages. You can usually figure out what type of ".smp" file you're dealing with based on the context, such as the file name, where it's saved or what types of programs you have on your computer that use ".smp" files. http://www.ehow.com/info_12198596_file-smp.html A .SMP sound file makes a few files that can be played in different programs. This is good if you want to make two visions of a sound and see which is better. Lossy Compression In information technology, "lossy" compression is a data encoding method that compresses data by discarding (losing) some of it. The procedure aims to minimize the amount of data that needs to be held, handled, and/or transmitted by a computer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lossy_compression A Lossy Compression file is a file that loses some of its quality or a part of it. This sis good if you don’t want the file to take up much space. .mp3 MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is an encoding format for digital audio which uses a form of lossy data compression. It is a common audio format for consumer audio streaming or storage, as well as a de facto standard of digital audio compression for the transfer and playback of music on most digital audio players. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3 I use the .mp3 file format to save songs on my computer and move them into a CD. AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) Integrated circuit that generates an audio signal and sends it to a computer's speakers. The sound card can accept an analog sound (as from a microphone or audio tape) and convert it to digital data that can be stored in an audio file, or accept digitized audio signals (as from an audio file) and convert them to analog signals that can be played on the computer's speakers. On a personal computer, the sound card is usually a separate circuit board that is plugged into the motherboard. http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Audio+processing+unit A sound processor unit is a card that can input and output audio signals to a computer. Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) take real-world signals like voice, audio, video, temperature, pressure, or position that have been digitized and then mathematically manipulate them. A DSP is designed for performing mathematical functions like "add", "subtract", "multiply" and "divide" very quickly. http://www.analog.com/en/content/beginners_guide_to_dsp/fca.html A digital sound processor is a microprocessor that can operate fast so it will be easy to process data in real time.
- 3. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 3 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. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html Random access memory is memory that can be accessed by a computer at random. This would be good to save into. 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 I used the Mono Audio in lesion when we wanted a sound from a direct object. Stereo Audio Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that creates an illusion of directionality and audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two or more independent audio channels through a configuration of two or more loudspeakers (or stereo headphones)in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound A Stereo Audio is use to catch audio that is being heard in various places. Surround Sound Surround sound is a technique for enriching the sound reproduction quality of an audio source with additional audio channels from speakers that surround the listener (surround channels), providing sound from a 360° radius in the horizontal plane (2D) as opposed to "screen channels" (centre, [front] left, and [front] right) originating only from the listener's forward arc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surround_sound I use the Surround Sound when we had to record a sound of a crowed place. 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 Pulse-code modulation is a steam of analog signals that are easy to finalise quantized. AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue The basic principle of disk recording is very simple. Displacement of the microphone diaphragm is transformed into a wiggley groove on a moving piece of vinyl. A stylus tracing the wiggles exactly reproduces the motion of the diaphragm at the time the recording was made. Electricity is really incidental to the process, used as a convenient way to connect the microphone to the cutter and the pickup to the speaker. http://artsites.ucsc.edu/ems/Music/tech_background/TE-19/teces_19.html This is data deposited and enhanced to speakers produced which results into a much better quality production. 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 A digital mini disc is a small disc which would be good to use if in needed in less space.
- 4. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 4 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiniDisc Compact Disc (CD) Known by its abbreviation, CD, a compact disc is a polycarbonate with one or more metal layers capable of storing digital information. The most prevalent types of compact discs are those used by the music industry to store digital recordings and CD-ROMs used to store computer data. Both of these types of compact disc are read- only, which means that once the data has been recorded onto them, they can only be read, or played. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/compact_disc.html A compact disc can store lots of data into it and is served the most use for computers. I use a CD to store some information on to. 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. 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 is digital rather than analog. http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Digital_Audio_Tape.html A digital audio tape is used to collets a recording and play back in a cassette tape. MIDI MIDI (/ˈmɪdi/; short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that describes a protocol, digital interface and connectors and allows a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers and other related devices to connect and communicate with one another. A single MIDI link can carry up to sixteen channels of information, each of which can be routed to a separate device. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI A Musical Instrument Digital Interface is an easy use to get channels of information to by other electronic instruments. Software Sequencers A music sequencer (or simply sequencer) is a device or application software that can record, edit, or play back music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically MIDI or CV/Gate, and possibly audio and automation data for DAWs and plug-ins. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_sequencer Software sequencer is software where you can play music or edit or record it. It will be handy as it holds a lot of useful information. 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_(computing) Software plug-ins is a component use in certain software which is customisable for which suitable features of the format you want to use. 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 used this to make my own sound tracks in class. It plays like a keyboard and changes it sound when a different interment is chosen. AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit- Bit depth (sometimes called also resolution) affects file size. All other things being Bit-depth can change files trying
- 5. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 5 depth equal, a 32 bit file is twice the size of a 16 bit file, and an 8 bit file half the size of a 16 bit one. Bit resolution also affects CPU use. Recording in 32 bit quality, which is Audacity's default behaviour, takes a lot more work than recording 16 bits, and a slower computer may not be able to keep up, with the result being lost samples. If you are recording for immediate export without editing, 32 bit recording may offer no advantage over 16 bit recording if you only have a 16 bit sound device. Most built-in consumer sound devices on computers (and even many cheaper sound cards) are only 16 bit. You can change the default sample format Audacity records at to 24 bit or 16 bit by going to the Quality tab of Preferences. http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Bit_Depth to make them the same as each other. This would be good with a fast working computer and is will be had for the computer to process. 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) Sample rate is a number of audio carried though certain part though time and compressed into signals.