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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: Adam Crittenden 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 Foleyartists recreate the realistic ambient sounds that the game
portrays. The props andsets ofa game do not react the same way
acousticallyas their real life counterparts. Foleysounds are used
to enhance the auditoryexperience of the game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_%28filmmaking%29
Foleyartists edit the sounds that theyare
trying to recreate sothat theysoundlike
what theywouldinreallife e.g. a tree
rustling inthe wind, theywould tryto
recreate the sounds withthings that they
have.
Sound Libraries A collectionof sounds storedon file (for example on CDs, DVDs, or
as digital audiofiles)
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sound-
library
Sound libraries holdsoundonmedia
devices, or just indigital files.
SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed Uncompressedaudiofiles are the most accurate digital
representation of a sound wave, but canalso be the most
resource-intensive methodof recording andstoring digital audio,
both in terms of storage andmanagement. Their accuracymakes
them suitable for archiving anddelivering audioat highresolution,
and workingwith audioat a professionallevel, andtheyare the
'master' audio format of choice.
http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/uncompressed-audio-
file-formats
Uncompressedaudiofiles are usedwhen
you want the best qualityof sound and
also, if it is of environmentalsounds, the
most realistic as it contains everything,
whereasa compressed file squeezes
down the file, missing bits out.
.wav A waveform audiofile, alsoknownas a wave file, or simplyWAV
after its extension, is a common type of soundfile. Microsoft and
IBMintroducedthe format in1991 for use in the Microsoft
Windows 3.1 operating system (OS). Longbefore digital audio
became a staple, computer users were exposedto the WAV file as
an embedded soundfile that playeda chime-like soundat boot up
of the Windows operatingsystem.
Waveform AudioFile Format (WAVE, or
more commonlyknownas WAV due to its
filename extension) (rarely, Audio for
Windows)is a Microsoft andIBMaudio
file format standardfor storing an audio
bitstreamon PCs.

2. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
2
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-wav-file.htm
.aiff AIFF is short for Audio Interchange File Format, which is anaudio
format initiallycreated byApple Computer for storingand
transmitting high-qualitysampledaudiodata.
http://www.abyssmedia.com/formats/aiff-format.shtml
An aiff soundfile is mainlyused byApple
for high qualitysound.
.au AU is a file extensionfor a soundfile format belongingto Sun,
NeXT and DECandusedinUNIX. The AU file format is alsoknown
as the Sparc-audioor u-lawformat.
AU files containthree parts:the audio data andtext for a header
(containing 24 bytes) and anannotationblock.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/AU-Sun-NeXT-DEC-UNIX-
sound-file
AU files are audiofiles that also containa
header and anannotationblock, which
wouldn’t be visible ona normalaudio
player.
.smp The file extension".smp" shows uponseveral different types of
files usedfor verydifferent programs includingaudio files, images
and email messages. Youcan usuallyfigure out what type of
".smp" file you're dealing withbasedonthe context, suchas the
file name, where it's savedor what types ofprograms you have on
your computer that use ".smp" files.
http://www.ehow.com/info_12198596_file-smp.html
An SMP file can be used for multiple
different types of files, suchas audio,
imagesandalso e-mails. Andmanymore
as well.
Lossy Compression Refers to data compression techniques in which some amount of
data is lost. Lossycompressiontechnologiesattempt to eliminate
redundant or unnecessaryinformation. Most videocompression
technologies, suchas MPEG, use a lossytechnique.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/L/lossy_compression.html
Lossycompressionis where a file is made
smaller bytaking out “unnecessary
things”, or what the computer calls
unnecessary.
.mp3 MPEG (The Moving Picture Experts Group) has developed
compressionsystems usedfor videodata. For example, DVD
movies, HDTV broadcasts andDSSsatellite systems use MPEG
compressionto fit videoandmovie data into smaller spaces. The
MPEG compressionsystem includes a subsystem to compress
sound, calledMPEG AudioLayer-3. We know it byits abbreviation,
MP3.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question118.htm
An MP3 is the most commonfor most
people as it is usedon multiple different
things such as DVD@s andalso, computer
audioor audiopeople have on devices
such as phones andother portable things.
AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) Also calleda "soundboard"or "audio adapter," it is a plug-incard
that records and plays back sound. Supporting bothdigital audio
and MIDI, soundcards provide aninput port for a microphone or
other soundsource andoutput ports to speakers andamplifiers.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Audio+processing+un
it
An SPU is used to recordandplayback
the recordedsound. It can house
microphones, speakers or other sound
transmitting equipment.

3. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
3
Digital Sound Processor (DSP) A Digital Signal Processor, or DSP, is a specializedmicroprocessor
that has anarchitecture whichis optimizedfor the fast operational
needs of digital signalprocessing. A DigitalSignal Processor (DSP)
can process data inreal time, making it ideal for applications that
can’t tolerate delays. Digitalsignal processors take a digital signal
and processit to improve the signal intoclearer sound, faster data
or sharper images.
http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/microprocessors/digital-
signal-processors.aspx
A DSPis somethingthat canprocess data
in real time, whichis great for things that
you want to use without delays.
Random Access Memory (RAM) RAM(pronounced ramm) is anacronym for randomaccess
memory, a type of computer memorythat can be accessed
randomly;that is, anybyte ofmemorycan be accessedwithout
touching the preceding bytes. RAMis the most commontype of
memoryfound in computers and other devices, suchas printers.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html
RAMis the most commonlyusedtype o
memoryas you canjust grabanybit of
memorythat you want without
interfering withother bits of memory.
Mono Audio Mono Audio. When you're using headphones, youmaymisssome
audioif you're deaf or hardof hearinginone ear. That's because
stereorecordings usuallyhave distinct left- and right-channel
audiotracks.
https://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/
Mono Audio is the type of audiothat lets
you hear in each ear what Is set to go into
each ear.
Stereo Audio Audio stereo means soundwhichis divided into twoseparate
channels. These twochannelsare playedbacksimultaneouslyvia
separate speakers. The effect is to create a fuller sound, and
provide the abilityto mix certainsounds betweenchannels.
http://www.mediacollege.com/glossary/s/stereo.html
Stereo Audiois able to sendbackand
forth the sounds that theyhave a better
feeling whenyou wear a headset as there
is more depth.
Surround Sound Surroundsoundis a term usedto describe a type of audiooutput
in which the soundappears to "surroundthe listener" by360
degrees. Surroundsound systems use three or more channelsand
speakers infront andbehind the listener to create a surrounding
envelope of soundanddirectionalaudio sources.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/surround_sound.html
Surroundsoundis generallyused with
speakers placedarounda roomthat
wouldnormallybe usedfor watchinga
film as it gives better immersion.
Direct Audio (Pulse Code
Modulation – PCM)
Pulse code modulation (PCM) is a digital representationof an
analog signal that takes samples of the amplitude of the analog
signal at regular intervals. The sampled analogue data is changed
to, and then representedby, binarydata. PCMrequires a very
accurate clock. The number of samples per second, ranging from
8,000 to 192,000, is usuallyseveral times the maximumfrequency
of the analogue waveform in Hertz (Hz), or cycles per second,
which rangesfrom 8 to 192 KHz.
Pulse Code Modulation is a pulse
modulationtechnique in which the
amplitude ofananalogue signalis
converted to a binaryvalue represented
as a series of pulses.

4. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
4
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/24128/pulse-code-
modulation-pcm
AUDIO RECORDING
SYSTEMS
Analogue Analog (or analogue) recording(Greek, andis "according to" and
logos "relationship") is a technique usedfor the recording of
analogue signals which, amongmanypossibilities, analogue audio
and analogue videofor later playback.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_recording
Analog helps to get better playback from
audioand videoso theyare a lot better
quality.
Digital Mini Disc There are severalstandardmusic distributionformats. The MP3
and the compact disc (CD) are the two most commonat the
moment, but cassette tapes are still around and33 rpm vinyl LPs
can still be foundinsome stores. The SonyMiniDisc is another
format that Sonyhas beentryingto popularize for manyyears. A
MiniDisc looks a lot like a floppydiskbut is slightlysmaller (7 cm,
2.75 inches square).
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question55.htm
A minidisc is a piece of software that can
contain lots of audioandother things,
such as videos, it is a compact wayof
storing it.
Compact Disc (CD) A compact disc [sometimesspelleddisk](CD) is a small, portable,
round medium made of molded polymer (close insize to the
floppydisk)for electronicallyrecording, storing, andplaying back
audio, video, text, andother informationindigital form.
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/compact-disc
A CD is a portable storage device that is
capable of storinga lot ofthings onit ina
relativelysmallspace.
Digital Audio Tape (DAT) DAT (Digital AudioTape)is a standard mediumandtechnologyfor
the digital recording ofaudioon tape at a professional level of
quality. A DAT drive is a digital tape recorder with rotatingheads
similar to those foundina videodeck. Most DATdrives canrecord
at sample rates of 44.1 kHz, the CD audio standard, and 48 kHz.
DAT has become the standard archiving technologyinprofessional
and semi-professional recording environments for master
recordings.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/DAT-Digital-Audio-Tape
DAT audiotypes are mainlyusedby
professional audiorecorders as theyare
the standardarchivingtechnology.
MIDI MIDI stands for MusicalInstrument DigitalInterface. The
development of the MIDI systemhas beena major catalyst inthe
recent unprecedentedexplosion ofmusic technology. MIDI has
put powerful computer instrument networks andsoftware inthe
hands of less technicallyversedmusicians andamateurs andhas
provided newandtime-saving toolsfor computer musicians.
http://www.indiana.edu/~emusic/etext/MIDI/chapter3_MIDI.sht
ml
MIDI instruments canbe suedto produce
sound, bythe means of bothhardware
and software. It is the maingo to tool of
computer musicians.
Software Sequencers In software engineering, a systemsequence diagram(SSD) is a
sequence diagramthat shows, for a particular scenarioof a use
An ssd shows the events of actors. If they
are doing somethinginanexternal

5. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
5
case, the events that externalactors generate, their order, and
possible inter-system events. Overview
System sequence diagrams are visual summariesof the individual
use cases.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_sequence_diagram
aspect.
Software Plug-ins Plug-in applications are programs that caneasilybe installedand
usedas part of your Web browser. Initially, the Netscape browser
allowedyou to download, install, and define supplementary
programs that played soundor motion videoor performed other
functions. These were called helper applications.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/plug-in
Plug-ins are installedinstalledthings you
need to use to do a lot of things on the
internet. Like
MIDI Keyboard Instruments Short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, MIDI is a standard
for digitallyrepresenting andtransmitting sounds that was first
developedinthe 1980s. The MIDI soundis playedback through
the hardware device or computer either through a synthesized
audiosoundor a waveform storedon the hardware device or
computer. The qualityof howMIDI sounds whenplayedback by
the hardware device or computer depends upon that device's
capability.
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/midi.htm
We have usedMIDI keyboard
instruments in Reaper to make little, new
soundclips. We used manydifferent
effects to get some goodsounding things.
AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-depth it depthis the number of bits usedto carrythe data ineach sample
of audio. The bit depthchosenfor recordinglimits the dynamic
range of the recording. (Other factors inthe audiochainmayalso
limit this, somore bits oftenwill not produce a better recording.)
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Bit_Depth
File Size Constraints - Sample
Rate
In signal processing, samplingis the reduction of a continuous
signal to a discrete signal. A commonexample is the conversionof
a soundwave (a continuous signal)to a sequence of samples(a
discrete-time signal).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampling_%28signal_processing%29