Sound Production Theory

1. Sound Production Theory U73 PMD2: Understand methods and principles of sound design and production Date due: Monday 22/04/13

2. From the Unit Spec – PMD2

3. PMD2 – Understand methods • The five key subcategories of this GC are: • Sound design methodology • Sound file formats • Audio limitations of game platforms • Audio recording systems • Audio sampling • Note that you must show evidence of understanding all of these categories in order to achieve the GC.

4. PMD2a – Sound design methodology Sound design methodology merely consists of the planning and preparation associated with any production project, but tailored specifically towards sound. This includes, but is not limited to: • Asset lists • Deadline setting • Production timeline • Location scouting • Permissions • Health and Safety

5. PMD2b – Sound file formats As with images, sound files come in a variety of formats; each of these have both advantages and disadvantages. Much like their graphic counterparts, sound files can also make use of compression. Lossy • MP3 • MP4 • Ogg Uncompressed • FLAC • AIFF • WAV

6. PMD2c – Audio limitations It is important to know that audio quality is limited by the target platform’s output or storage hardware. Examples of these limitations include, but are not limited to: • Sound processor unit (SPU) • Digital sound processor (DSP) • RAM • Storage • File format • Audio output (mono, stereo, 5.1, 7.1)

7. Now enjoy this hilarious gif, which is vaguely related to the concept of sound and music. Just about.

8. Analogue Sound • As with images, ‘real life’ sound is an analogue signal. • The term analogue means that the changes between tones and rhythms are smooth, and don’t noticeably change from one point to another. • When sound is digitised, it is referred to as sampling. PMD2e – Audio sampling

9. Sampling • Sampling has to convert sound in the range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz and deal with a range of different amplitudes. • Sampling involves taking measurements of a sound wave at regular intervals.

11. Sampling

12. Sampling Frequency • Sampling frequency is the rate at which samples are taken – it is stated in Hertz. • CD quality sound is sampled at 44.1 KHz. • This means that the wave is measured 44,100 times per wave.

13. Sampling Frequency • This is called the Nyquist frequency, named after the scientist who developed the idea of sampling analogue data. • The minimum sampling rate must always be at least twice the highest frequency in a signal.

14. Sampling Depth / Audio Resolution • Sampling depth (audio resolution) is the number of levels a wave is measured at. This example features only a 2 bit resolution. This will lead to very low quality recordings.

15. Sampling Depth / Audio Resolution • Use these links to hear audio recordings at different resolutions. http://tinyurl.com/cxmtsr7 http://tinyurl.com/buenxlq http://tinyurl.com/d8a3mod How will the file sizes compare?

16. Enjoy another hilarious, ridiculously-remotely-connected image. Laugh, damn you.

17. Write-Up and examples You need to write this up as a webzine or blog articles, entitled “Sound and Music Production Methods”. This piece of extended writing should aim to have the same written standard as that required by any other piece of theory work, but remember the specific unit requirements. Use the unit spec as a checklist to ensure you have covered everything that you need to.

18. Write-Up and examples The following are examples of the differences between Pass, Merit and Distinction grade writing. Use them to inform your work. PMD2 – Understand methods

19. Write-Up and examples The following are examples of the differences between Pass, Merit and Distinction grade writing. Use them to inform your work. PMD2 – Understand methods