Adam copeland ig2 task 1 work sheet

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: Adam Copeland 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.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_(filmmaking)
Foley artists work in a Foley studio, a room with many props,
a viewing screen and recording equipment. The artist
watches the film and creates the sound in real time. In most
cases several different tracks are recorded, for example:
A "move track", which includes the sounds of general
movement, clothes swishing, etc, footsteps, "Specifics" —
individual sound effects for particular actions on screen, e.g.
fights, etc.
http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/film/foley-
artist.html
We have done similar tasks too this such as
recording things within the college grounds or
outside ad then editing them with different
types of effects like ambience or reverb.
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
We have begun to do this with examples of
different types of game music varying from
Retro tracks to Action tracks.

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2
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
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
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
We have not used these in class but this is a
common type of sound file which delivers
audio in high quality.
.wav Standard audio file container format used mainly
in Windows PCs. Commonly used for storing uncompressed
(PCM), CD-quality sound files, which means that they can be
large in size—around 10 MB per minute. Wave files can also
We have used these types of files when
editing sounds on reaper for multiple tasks
given.

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3
contain data encoded with a variety of (lossy) codecs to
reduce the file size (for example the GSM or MP3 formats).
Wav files use a RIFF structure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_file_format
.aiff Standard audio file format used by Apple. It could be
considered the Apple equivalent of wav.
We have not used this type of file yet, it is
similar to the .wav but it is the Apple Mac’s
version of the file.
.au The standard audio file format used by Sun, Unix and Java.
The audio in au files can be PCM or compressed with the μ-
law, a-law or G729 codecs.
We have not used this type of file yet, it is a
compressed audio file for programmes similar
to Java.
.smp Short for Symmetric Multiprocessing, a
computerarchitecture that provides fast performance by
making multipleCPUs 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.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html
We have not used this type of file yet, it is a
file that processes sound.
Lossy Compression In information technology, "lossy" compression is a data
encodingmethod 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. The different versions of the photo of the dog at
the right demonstrate how much data can be dispensed
with, and how the images become progressively coarser as
the data that made up the original one is discarded.
Typically, a substantial amount of data can be discarded
before the result is sufficiently degraded to be noticed by the
user.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lossy_compression
Lossy Compression is when you lose some
data from a file, for example, sound quality
would have missing parts of audio.
.mp3 MPEG Layer III Audio. Is the most common sound file format
used today.
We have also used the mp3 files quite a bit for
editing on Reaper.

IG2 Task 1
4
AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) The SPU has control over a 512kb sound buffer. Data is
stored compressedinto blocks of 16 bytes. Each block
contains 14 packed sample bytes and twoheader bytes, one
for the packing and one for sample end and
loopinginformation. One such block is decoded into 28
sample bytes (= 14 16bitsamples).
http://psx.rules.org/spu.txt
SPU’s are used for control over sound buffers.
Digital Sound Processor (DSP) The mathematical manipulation of an information signal to
modify or improve it in some way. It is characterized by the
representation of discrete time, discrete frequency, or other
discrete domain signals by a sequence of numbers or
symbols and the processing of these signals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_signal_processing
DSP controls multiple items like frequency’s
and sequences of numbers.
Random Access Memory (RAM) The most common computer memory which can be used by
programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is
on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to
be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations
are equally accessible
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=random-
access memory
RAM is used to control multiple programmes
at once.
Mono Audio A single track of audio.
http://www.allynn.org/fcp/node/33
We have used Mono audio when using Reaper
for lots of different tasks like creating custom
sounds and editing recordings.
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.Thus the term "stereophonic" applies to so-called
"quadraphonic" and "surround-sound" systems as well as the
more common two-channel, two-speaker systems. It is often
contrasted with monophonic, or "mono" sound, where audio
is in the form of one channel, often centred in the sound
field (analogous to a visual field). Stereo sound is now
common in entertainment systems such as broadcast radio
We have used this kind of technique in the
form of Sound effects with being able to
change the volume and the pan of the sounds.

IG2 Task 1
5
and TV, recorded music and the cinema.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereo_audio
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 theatre systems. Surround sound
can be either an analog ordigital system.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/surround_sound.html
Surround sound is a feature that some T.V’s
have. The effect of surround sound can also be
achieved with headphones.
Direct Audio (Pulse Code
Modulation – PCM)
Pulse-code modulation(PCM) is a method used
todigitally represent sampledanalog 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 amplitudeof 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
We have used direct audio when recording
sounds, while ambient records surrounding
sounds, direct audio will be from sounds the
microphone is directly pointed at.
AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue Analog recording methods store signals as a continual
wave in or on the media. The wave might be stored as a
physical texture on a phonograph record, or a fluctuation in
the field strength of a magnetic recording. This is different
from digital recording of which among many possibilities
include digital audio and digital video, which digital
signals are represented as data or discrete numbers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_recording
Analogues are different methods of wave in
on media items.
Digital Mini Disc A pre-recorded MiniDisc is exactly like a CD, except smaller.
You can read How Compact Discs Work to learn how music
can be recorded digitally and how a CD stores the digital
data. When you read that article you will see that a CD holds
about five times more data (650 megabytes in data mode
and 740 megabytes in audio mode) than a MiniDisc.
However, both CDs and MiniDiscs can store the same
amount of music (75 minutes or so). The difference is that a
MiniDisc uses a digital compression technique
called ATRAC(Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) when
storing music.
We have not used Mini Discs, but they are
similar to CDs in what they do , but are in a
more compressed disc.

IG2 Task 1
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http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question55.htm
Compact Disc (CD) Compact disc (CD) is adigital optical disc data storage format.
The format was originally developed to store and play back
sound recordings only (CD-DA), but was later adapted for
storage of data (CD-ROM). Several other formats were
further derived from these, including write-once audio and
data storage (CD-R), rewritable media (CD-RW), Video
Compact Disc (VCD), Super Video Compact Disc
(SVCD), Photo CD, PictureCD, CD-i, andEnhanced Music CD.
Audio CDs and audio players have been commercially
available since October 1982.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_disc
CDs are the most common type of media to rip
or burn songs onto.
Digital Audio Tape (DAT)
Digital Audio Tape (DATor R-DAT) is a signal recording and
playback medium developed by Sony and introduced in
1987. In appearance it is similar to a Compact Cassette, using
4 mm 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 aCD (48, 44.1 or 32 kHzsampling 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 a lossy data reduction system.
Like most formats of videocassette, a DAT cassette may only
be recorded and played in one direction, unlike an
analog compact audio cassette.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Audio_Tape
Digital Audio Tapes are similar to the cassette
but can record at higher, lower and equal
sampling rates than a CD.

IG2 Task 1
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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.[1]
A single MIDI link can carry up to sixteen
channels of information, each of which can be routed to a
separate device.
MIDI carries event messages that specify notation, pitch and
velocity, control signals for parameters such as volume,
vibrato, audio panning, cues, and clock signals that set and
synchronize tempo between multiple devices. These
messages are sent to other devices where they control
sound generation and other features. This data can also be
recorded into a hardware or software device called a
sequencer, which can be used to edit the data and to play it
back at a later time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI
We use MIDI for creating sound tracks for
custom music that we have been making.
Software Sequencers A sequencing software package designed to be loaded into a
computer. Software sequencers usually have more features
and have the advantage of showing you a lot more
information at once because they use the computer's screen
and aren't locked into the knobs or buttons or display of a
Software Sequencers are programmes that
give you an advantage of showing you more
information on a screen.

IG2 Task 1
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hardware sequencer.
http://www.wannaplaymusic.com/get-started/keyboard-
terminology
Software Plug-ins
In computing, aplug-in (or plugin,extension, or add-
on / addon) is asoftware componentthat 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. Well-known browser plug-ins include the Adobe
Flash Player, theQuickTime Player, and the Java plug-in,
which can launch a user-activated Java applet on a web page
to its execution a local Java virtual machine.
Add-on (or addon) is the general term for what enhances an
application. It comprises snap-in, plug-
in, theme and skin.[1]
An extension add-on tailors
the core features of an application by adding an
optional module, whereas a plug-in add-on would tailor
the outer layers of an application to personalize
functionality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_(computing)
We use plug-ins on Reaper so that sounds will
work on the program
MIDI Keyboard Instruments A MIDI keyboard is typically apiano-style user
interfacekeyboard device used for sending MIDI signals or
commands over a USB or MIDI cable to other devices
We used the MIDI keyboard to create a verity
of the of the tracks on the sound library

IG2 Task 1
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connected and operating on the same MIDI protocol
interface. This could also be a personal computer running
software such as adigital 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 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
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 resolutionof each sample.
Examples of bit depth include Compact Disc Digital Audio,
which uses 16 bits per sample, and DVD-Audio andBlu-ray
Disc which can support up to 24 bits per sample.
In basic implementations, variations in bit depth primarily
affect the noise level fromquantization error—thus
the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and dynamic range. However,
techniques such as dithering, noise
shaping andoversampling mitigate these effects without
changing the bit depth. Bit depth also affects bit rate and file
size.
Bit depth is only meaningful in reference to a PCM digital
signal. Non-PCM formats, such as lossy compression formats
like MP3, AAC andVorbis, do not have associated bit depths.
For example, in MP3, quantization is performed on PCM
samples that have been transformed into the frequency
Bit depth is the number of bits in information
and can be found on different types of media,
such as Digital Disc Audio, Blu-rays and DVD
Audio.

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domain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_bit_depth
File Size Constraints - Sample Rate
In signal processing,sampling is the reduction of acontinuous
signal to a discrete signal. A common example is the
conversion of asound 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 acontinuous 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 Rates are signal processes that sample
continuous signals and discrete-time signals.

Adam copeland ig2 task 1 work sheet

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