This document contains a glossary of terms related to sound design and production for computer games. It provides definitions for terms like Foley artistry, sound libraries, uncompressed audio formats (.wav and .aiff files), lossy compression, sound cards, digital sound processors, random access memory, mono/stereo/surround sound, analogue and digital recording systems, MIDI, software sequencers, plugins, MIDI keyboards, and constraints from bit-depth and sample rate on file size. The student has researched definitions and provided details on how each term relates to their own production practice.

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: RESEARCHED DEFINITION (provide short internet researched definition and URL link) DESCRIBE THE RELEVANCE
OF THE RESEARCHED
TERM TO YOUR OWN
PRODUCTION PRACTICE?
SOUND
DESIGN
METHODOLO
GY
Foley Artistry Foley effects are sound effects added to the film during postproduction (after the shooting stops).They
include sounds such as footsteps,clothes rustling,crockeryclinking,paper folding,doors opening and
slamming,punches hitting,glass breaking,etc.etc. In other words,manyof the sounds thatthe sound
recordists on setdid their bestto avoid recording during the shoot.
http://www.sound-ideas.com/what-is-foley.html
Foleyartistryis whenyou add
soundeffects in a filmwhich
aren’t necessarybut give the
film more detail for example
glass breaking. I woulduse
these to give myproduction
more detail.
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.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sample_library
Sound libraries are a digital
collectionof different sounds.
I woulduse these for the
soundtrackas wellas the
music playing Inthe
background.
SOUND FILE
FORMATS
Uncompressed There is one major uncompressed audio format, LPCM, which is the same variety of PCM as used
in CompactDisc Digital Audio.Although LPCM can be stored on a computer as a raw audio format, it is
usuallystored in a .wav file on Windows or in an .aiff file on Mac OS. The AIFF formatis based on
the Interchange File Format (IFF), and the WAV formatis based on the similar Resource Interchange File
Format(RIFF). WAV and AIFF are not inherentlylossless;they're designed to store a wide variety of audio
formats,lossless and lossy;they justadd a small, metadata-containing header before the audio data to
declare the formatof the audio data, such as LPCM with a particular sample rate,bit
depth, endianness and number of channels.Since WAV and AIFF are widely supported and can store
LPCM, they are suitable file formats for storing and archiving an original recording.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_file_format
Uncompressedis whenthe
audiois uncompressed. I
woulduse thistype of fileto
store rawaudio files that I
could use later in the
production.
.wav 1. a formatfor storing uncompressed audio files.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-
This is a file that stores
uncompressed audio.

2. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
2
8#q=what+is+a+wav+file
.aiff 1. Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF) is an audio file formatstandard used for storing sound data for
personal computers and other electronic audio devices.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+a+aiff+file
This is another file that stores
uncompressed sound.
.au 1. The Au file formatis a simple audio file formatintroduced by Sun Microsystems.The format was common
on NeXT systems and on earlyWeb pages.Originallyit was headerless,being simply8-bitµ-law-encoded
data at an 8000 Hz sample rate.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+a+au+file
This is a simple audiofile.
.smp The file extension ".smp"shows up on several differenttypes of files used for very differentprograms
including audio files,images and email messages.You can usuallyfigure out whattype 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 thatuse ".smp"files.
http://www.ehow.com/info_12198596_file-smp.html
A smp is a file extensionthat
shows upInseveraldifferent
programs.
Lossy
Compression
1. Lossless and lossy compression are terms that describe whether or not, in the compression of a file, all
original data can be recovered when the file is uncompressed.With lossless compression, every single
bit of data that was originallyin the file remains after the file is uncompressed.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-
8#q=what+is+a+lossy+compression
A lossycompression is when
you don’t lose anyof the data
that you have stored.
.mp3 a means ofcompressing a sound sequence into a very small file,to enable digital storage and
transmission.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+a+mp3
An mp3 file is a file that has
been compressedbut can be
enabledfor digital storage
and transmission.
AUDIO
LIMITATIONS
Sound
Processor Unit
(SPU)
A sound card (also known as an audio card) is an internal computer expansion card thatfacilitates
economical inputand outputof audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs.
The term sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces thatuse software to generate sound,as
opposed to using hardware inside the PC.Typical uses ofsound cards include providing the audio
componentfor multimedia applications such as music composition,editing video or audio,presentation,
education and entertainment(games) and video projection.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card
A sound card is an internal
computer card that makes the
imput andoutput of sounds
happen.
Digital Sound
Processor
(DSP)
A Digital Signal Processor,or DSP, is a specialized microprocessor thathas an architecture which is
optimized for the fast operational needs ofdigital signal processing.A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) can
process data in real time,making it ideal for applications thatcan’ttolerate delays.Digital signal processors
take a digital signal and process itto improve the signal into clearer sound,faster data or sharper images.
Digital Signal Processors use video,voice, audio,temperature or position signals thathave been digitized
and mathematicallymanipulate them.A digital signal processor is designed to perform these mathematical
functions rapidly.The signals are processed so the information contained in them can be displayed or
converted to another type of signal.
http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/microprocessors/digital-signal-processors.aspx
A digital soundprocesser is a
microprocessor that can
process data in real time.
Random
Access
1. 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 withouttouching the preceding
bytes.RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices,such as printers.
Random access memory
(RAM) is a type of memory

3. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
3
Memory
(RAM)
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-
8#q=what+is+a+random+access+memory
that can be accessed
randomly.
Mono Audio 1. Mono audio is an Accessibilityfeature that makes sure,even if you're hard of hearing or deaf in one ear,
you never miss a word,note, or sound when listening to your iPhone or iPad with a headseton.Typical
stereo audio includes distinctleftand right channels,so differentears getdifferentsounds.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+a+mono+audio
Mono audiois where typical
stereoaudioincludesdistinct
left andright channels so
different ears get different
sounds.
Stereo Audio Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method ofsound reproduction thatcreates an
illusion ofdirectionalityand audible perspective.This is usuallyachieved by using two or more
independentaudio channels through a configuration oftwo or more loudspeakers (or stereo headphones)
in such a way as to create the impression ofsound 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 centered in the sound field (analogous to a visual
field). Stereo sound is now common in entertainmentsystems such as broadcastradio and TV, recorded
music and the cinema.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound
Stereo audio is a methodof
soundreproduction that is
directional.
Surround
Sound
a system of stereophonyinvolving three or more speakers surrounding the listener so as to give a more
realistic effect.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-
8#q=what+is+a+surround+sound&spell=1
Surroundsoundis soundthat
gives you a more realistic
effect.
Direct Audio
(Pulse Code
Modulation –
PCM)
Direct Audio Input (DAI) is a feature of some BTE hearing aids which allows an external source to be
directly connected as an inputthat bypasses the microphone.
http://www.nchearingloss.org/dai.htm
Direct audio is a feature that
aids withexternal soundto be
directlyconnected as an
input.
AUDIO
RECORDING
SYSTEMS
Analogue Analogue (or analogue) recording (Greek, Ana is "according to" and logos "relationship") is a technique
used for the recording ofanalogue signals which,among manypossibilities, analogue
audio and analogue for later playback.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_recording
Analogue is a technique used
for the recording ofanalogue
signals.
Digital Mini
Disc
There are several standard music distribution formats. The MP3 and the compact disc (CD) are
the two most common at the moment, but cassette tapes are still around and 33 rpm vinyl LPs
can still be found in some stores. The Sony Minidisc is another format that Sony has been trying
to popularize for many years. A Minidisc looks a lot like a floppy disk but is slightly smaller (7 cm,
2.75 inches square).
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question55.htm
A digital mini disc looks like a
floppydisc but is slightly
smaller.
Compact Disc
(CD)
a small plastic disc on which music or other digital information is stored in the form of a pattern of metal-
coated pits from which it can be read using laser lightreflected off the disc.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?tab=ww&ei=aTu1VMH2DLOQ7AaEnIDYBQ&ved=0CAkQ1S4#q=what+is+a+compa
ct+disc
A compact disc is a disc which
holds either music or other
digital information.

4. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
4
Digital Audio
Tape (DAT)
1. Digital Audio Tape (DAT or R-DAT) is a signal recording and playback medium developed bySony and
introduced in 1987.In appearance itis similar to a Compact Cassette,using 4 mm magnetic tape enclosed
in a protective shell,butis roughly half the size at 73 mm × 54 mm × 10.5 mm.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?tab=ww&ei=aTu1VMH2DLOQ7AaEnIDYBQ&ved=0CAkQ1S4#q=what%2
0is%20a%20digital%20audio%20tape
A digital audio tape is a signal
recording andplayback
medium.
MIDI MIDI (/ˈmɪdi/; shortfor Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard thatdescribes
a protocol,digital interface and connectors and allows a wide variety of electronic musical
instruments,computers and other related devices to connectand communicate with one another. A single
MIDI link can carry up to sixteen channels ofinformation,each of which can be routed to a separate device.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI
A MIDI is technicalstandard
that helps equipment connect
with one another.
Software
Sequencers
1. A music sequencer (or simplysequencer) is a device or applicationsoftware thatcan record, edit, or play
back music,by handling note and performance information in several forms,typicallyMIDI or CV/Gate, and
possiblyaudio and automation data for DAWs and plug-ins.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?tab=ww&ei=aTu1VMH2DLOQ7AaEnIDYBQ&ved=0CAkQ1S4#q=what%20is%20a%
20software%20sequencer
Software sequencer is a
device that canrecord edit
and playback music.
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.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?tab=ww&ei=aTu1VMH2DLOQ7AaEnIDYBQ&ved=0CAkQ1S4#q=what+is+a+softwa
re+plug+ins
Software plug ins is a
software program that adds a
specific feature.
MIDI
Keyboard
Instruments
1. A MIDI keyboard is typically a piano-style user interface keyboarddevice used for sending MIDI signals or
commands over a USB or MIDIcable to other devices connected and operating on the same MIDIprotocol
interface.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?tab=ww&ei=aTu1VMH2DLOQ7AaEnIDYBQ&ved=0CAkQ1S4#q=what%2
0is%20a%20midi%20keyboard
Midi keyboard instruments
are instruments that send
signals or commands to other
devices.
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 itdirectly corresponds to the resolution of each sample.Examples ofbitdepth
include CompactDisc Digital Audio,which uses 16 bits per sample,and DVD-Audio and Blu-ray Disc which
can supportup to 24 bits per sample.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_bit_depth
File size constraints are when
the number ofinformation
there is.
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 ofa sound wave (a continuous signal) to a sequence ofsamples (a discrete-time
signal).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampling_%28signal_processing%29
File size constraints is the
reductionof a continuous
signal.