Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 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: Lewis Brierley 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 ‘A technical process by which sounds are created or altered for use in a film

’

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/foley

‘A Foley Artist is a person who creates (or re-creates) sounds for movies. For

example, if the sound of an actor's footsteps were not recorded well or lost

when the voice was re-recorded, a Foley artist will recreate them’

http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/film/foley-artist.html

A process where a person attempts to recreate the sound from a film. I used Foley Artistry whilst I was making the music for my game. I got some ideas from different games that I have played and also from different movies I have seen. I thought of the different scenes and how to music change due to the intensity of that scene and tried to implement that into my music that I have created.

Sound Libraries ‘a collection of sounds stored on file’http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sound-library

‘A sample library is a collection of digital sound recordings, known as samples, for use by composers, arrangers, performers, and producers of music.’

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sample_   library   

A collection of different sound which are stored in the same place. I created and used sound libraries to store the sounds that I created using reaper, once I had created the sounds for my game I stored them all in a sound folder to keep all of them organized.

SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed ‘Captured video that has not been altered by the capture device’http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/U/uncompressed_video.html

Data that has not been compressed and is in its original form. I didn’t 

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

‘Restore to its uncompressed form’

http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/uncompress

compress any of my sound files as I did not need to, the sound I created were not that big so there was no need to compress them and make them smaller files.

.wav ‘Waveform Audio File Format is an audio file format standard for storing an audio file.’

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/WAV.html

‘A Wave file is an audio file format, created by Microsoft, that has become a standard PC audio file format for everything from system and game sounds to CD-quality audio.’

http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Wave-file

The way in which Microsoft sound files are stored. The sounds I made for my game I exported them through reaper to make them WAV files, I then uploaded the sound files to sound cloud which I then put on my blog.

.aiff ‘A common format for storing and transmitting sampled sound.’http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/AIFF.html

‘Stands for "Audio Interchange File Format." AIFF is a file format designed to store audio data. It was developed by Apple Computer, but is based on Electronic Arts'http://techterms.com/definition/aiff

Apples way of storing sound files. I did not have to use .aiff files as I created my sound through reaper on windows and .aiff are for people that use apple products or for people that make sounds on apple computers.

.au ‘A digital audio file format from Sun that is used on the Internet and can be played by a Java.’http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/38149/au-file

‘A digital audio file format from Sun that is used on the Internet and can be played by a Java program.’http://www.yourdictionary.com/au-file

A sound that is used to be played on the internet through Java. I think that I used .au files as I uploaded my video game sounds to sounds to sound cloud and then implemented them into blogger.

.smp ‘SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) is the processing of programs by multiple processors that share a common operating system and memory.’http://searchdatacenter.techtarget.com/definition/SMP

‘Short for Symmetric Multiprocessing, a computer architecture that provides fast performance by making multiple CPUs available to complete individual processes simultaneously (multiprocessing).’http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html m

The way in which a program is processed by different processors. I believe that this was used whilst I was exporting my sound files because the sound had to be processed for them to actually have been able to be listened to.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Lossy Compression ‘lossy compression reduces a file by permanently eliminating certain information’http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/lossless-and-lossy-compression

‘A compression technique that does not decompress digital data back to 100% of the original.’http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/46335/lossy-compression

When I file size is reduced but it is not possible to get that information back. I did not use lossy compression as I did not need to compress any of my sound files as they were the appropriate size.

.mp3 ‘A computer file format for the compression and storage of digital audio data.’http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mp3

‘a computer format for creating sound files (such as songs) that are much smaller than standard sound files’http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mp3

A way in which digital audio data is stored on a computer. I think that I have used .mp3 files to export my music for my 2d game. The music is about 45 seconds long so I compressed it to make it an .mp3 file.

AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) ‘An expansion card that processes and converts audio signals.’http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Audio+processing+unit

‘Also called a "sound board" or "audio adapter," it is a plug-in card that records and plays back sound.’http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Audio+processing+unit

The ways in which audio signals are processed. The sound processing unit was used whilst I was creating the sounds for my platformer game and also the music. The sound processor unit allows reaper to convert audio signals so that the user can play back and listen to audio.

Digital Sound Processor (DSP) ‘DSP is a specialized microprocessor that has an architecture which is optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.’https://www.futureelectronics.com/en/Microprocessors/digital-signal-processors.aspx

‘A digital signal processor (DSP) is a specialized microprocessor designed specifically for digital signal processing, generally in real-time computing.’http://www.audiocodes.com/glossary/dsp

The way how a digital signal is processed. The sounds I made using reaper were processed through DSP also, as the sounds and music I made in reaper were compressed and filtered. DSP compresses real life analogue signals so files such as when I recorded my voice were processed.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

‘RAM is the place in a computer where the operating system, application programs, and data in current use are kept.’http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/RAM-random-access-memory

‘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 a type of volatile memory which stores active applications which are currently in use by the computer. RAM was used whilst making sound from reaper RAM stores programs that are currently active on your program this makes the work. The more RAM the 

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html computer has the more programs it can run at a time.

Mono Audio ‘In monophonic sound systems, the signal sent to the sound system encodes one single stream of sound and it usually uses just one speaker.’http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/monophonic_sound.html

‘Mono or monophonic describes a system where all the audio signals are mixed together and routed through a single audio channel.’http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm

Mono encodes a stream of sound and successfully outputs it using 1 speaker. I think that’s Mono audio was used when I played back the music and sound I had made so that I was able to listen to it and hear it.

Stereo Audio ‘Commonly called stereo sound or just stereo, stereophonic sound divides sounds across two channels’http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/stereophonic_sound.html

‘True stereophonic sound systems have two independent audio signal channels, and the signals that are reproduced have a specific level and phase relationship to each other so that when played back through a suitable reproduction system, there will be an apparent image of the original sound source.’http://www.mcsquared.com/mono-stereo.htm

Stereo Audio separates the audio into two different channels. Stereo sound creates the effect sound can be heard in different directions. I also think that I used and listened to stereo audio whilst listening the audio that I had made through reaper.

Surround Sound‘Surround sound systems use three or more channels and speakers in front and behind the listener to create a surrounding envelope of sound.’http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/surround_sound.html

‘sound reproduction that often uses three or more transmission channels to enhance the illusion of a live hearing’http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surround%20sound

Surround sound has different channels around the user creating the effect that the sound is 360°. Surround sound creates the effect sound can be hear from all around the user. Surround sound could have been used with my reaper projects and sound, I could have created the effect that sound could be heard from different directions around the user.

Direct Audio (Pulse Code Modulation – PCM)

‘Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used to digitally represent sampled analog signals.’https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-code_modulation

‘Pulse code modulation (PCM) is a digital scheme for transmitting analogue data.’http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/pulse-code-modulation-PCM

PCM is a way of representing analogue signals digitally. I used PCM in Reaper as it would allow me to look at the waveform of the different sound and how it changed due to the type of sound and the different volume.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS

Analogue ‘Recording audio in a format of continuous vibrations that are analogous to the original sound waves.’http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/60827/analog-audio

‘An analogue recording is one that is made by changing the sound waves into electrical signals of the same type.’http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analogue

An Analogue is when vibrations are heard which are called analogues. Analogues were used as I was making my music for my game in reapers, as in some parts of the music the sound vibrated which is was an Analogue does.

Digital Mini Disc ‘a small recordable compact disc’http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/minidisc

‘A music medium designed by Sony as a portable replacement for music Compact Discs.’http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Mini+Disc

A small disc which can record digital data. I did not use a DMD as I all of the work I have created was made on the computer and was uploaded to my Blogger, I did not need to save my music or sound on a disc.

Compact Disc (CD) ‘A  compact disc is for electronically recording, storing, and playing back audio, video’http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/compact-disc

‘CDs can hold up to 700 MB of data or 80 minutes of audio.’http://techterms.com/definition/cd

A bigger version of an SMD which can store more digital data. I did not use the CD to store any of my reaper files on as I did not need to put it on another computer I just uploaded everything to my blog.

Digital Audio Tape (DAT) ‘Magnetic tape on which sound is digitally recorded with high fidelity for playback.’http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/digital+audio+tape

‘Acronym for digital audio tape, a type of magnetic tape that uses a scheme called helical scan to record data.’

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/DAT.html

A tape recorder which can record audio to play back. I think I used the Digital Audio Tape when I had to record my voice because I had to click the record button on reaper if I wanted to talk and when I was finished I would have to click the record button again to stop recording.

MIDI  ‘A standard protocol for the interchange of musical information between musical instruments, synthesizers and computers.’http://techterms.com/definition/midi

‘Pronounced middy, an acronym for musical instrument digital interface, a standard adopted by the electronic music industry for controlling devices, such as synthesizers and sound cards that emit music. At minimum, a MIDI representation of a sound includes values for the note's pitch, length, and volume.’http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/MIDI.html

A way in which musical data can be created through a computer. I definitely used MIDI when I used virtual instruments to create sound and music. I used virtual keyboard which allowed me to create the different sound and sound effects through my keyboard.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Software Sequencers ‘A sequencer is a program in a computer or stand-alone keyboard unit that puts together a sound sequence from a series of Musical Instrument Digital Interface events.’http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sequencer

‘An electronic device or software program that can be instructed Toorder and modify digitally stored musical sounds for playback, as through a synthesizer.’http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sequencer

The way in which music can be made through a keyboard. This allows the keyboard to be used as a virtual instrument, for example when I left click on the keyboard it will make a sound depending the plugin I have used.

Software Plug-ins ‘A software plug-in is an add-on for a program that adds functionality to it.’http://techterms.com/definition/plugin

‘A hardware or software module that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system.’http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/plug_in.html

A plugin adds a new feature to a program. I used plugins when making the sound and my music for my game, as it allows me to change and alter the way it sounds.

MIDI Keyboard Instruments ‘A Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) keyboard is a musical instrument like a piano keyboard.’http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-midi-keyboard.htm

‘A standard protocol for the interchange of musical information between musical instruments, synthesizers and computers. MIDI was developed to allow the keyboard of one synthesizer to play notes generated by another. ‘http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/47014/midi

This Is the device which allows the user to make digital music through a keyboard. This device is what I used to make the sound and the music for my game; it allowed me to use my keyboard as an instrument.

AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-depth

 ‘Bit depth describes the potential accuracy of a particular piece of hardware or software that processes audio data.’http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/bit-depth‘Number of bits used in representing the smallest unit of information (such as a byte or pixel) in an audio/video or graphic data file. Greater the bit depth, better the quality of stored or reproduced image or sound.’http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/bit-depth.html

Bit depth measures the accuracy of a certain device. Bit depth was used when I was exporting the sound files which I created through reaper; it had to measure the audio data so that I could be processed correctly.

File Size Constraints - Sample Rate

‘The number of times an analogue signal is measured (sampled) per second.’http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sample+rate

‘In developing an audio sound for computers or telecommunication, the sample rate is the number of samples of a sound that are taken per second 

The amount of times per second that an analogue is measures.Sample rate measure the amount of times that an analogue is measured, it does this to represent the amount of time.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

to represent the event digitally.’http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/sample-rate

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