Post on 03-Feb-2022
Audio Production ABCs
– Application, Background,
and Constraints David Gordon & Jake Heaton
DocuMedia Learning Group, Inc.
March 23, 2006
Produced by
101
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Audio Production ABCsApplication, Background, and Constraints
Sponsor: DocuMedia Learning Group, Inc.Presenters: Dr. David Gordon
Jake Heaton
Experience Survey
Enter your audio production experience level in the Poll pod
Scale 1 to 51 - Brand new—I am just getting started with audio production basics2 - Experimented a little but still a beginner3 - Some understanding about production but I need tools to do it4 - More experienced—I am looking for references and ideas5 - Expert—I frequently use self-produced audio content
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Storyboard
Resource Available
Equipment Basics
Computer IO (In/Out Sound Card)MicrophoneCables and AdaptersMixer or PreampsSound Conditioning (Booth, Foam, FXs)Recording Software
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Computer IO (In/Out)
Sound Card Connection TypesPCI PCMCIAUSBFirewire
The first crucial component is the computer’s sound input capabilities or soundcard quality.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/rechttp://www.americanmusical.com
This example sound card is an ECHO DIGITAL AUDIO IO. It cost approximately $200.00.
Sound Recording – Mics
Consider your final output:
Computer speakers HeadsetCDsDVDsLive/concert
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Microphone – Names, Types, Uses
Shotgun – long barrel, narrow pickup acceptance, condenser Lavalier – clip-on (wired/wireless)
Omnidirectional – all directions, sphericalCardioid – heart-shapedUnidirectional - small ball
Cardioid or Hyper-cardioid – commonly used as vocal or speech microphones.
Reference: Wikipedia
Microphone
Marshall MXL Studio Condenserwith shock mount and Wind Foam cover $150.00
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Speakers and Headphones
Anchor Audio Monitor AN-100
$150.00
Wal-Mart Computer Speakers
$20.00
Cables and Adapters
XLR cable¼” cableRCA cableRCA stereo to 1/8”RCA to ¼”RCA splitter
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Mixers
Mackie 1402 VLZ Pro Mixer(14 Channels) $400.00
Behringer EurorackUB802 Mixer(8 Inputs) $50.00
Mixer - How to Use
1
2
34
5IN OUT
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Sound Conditioning Sound Isolation Booth and Options (closet)
Foam – Aurlex, Mattress PadAuralex Wedgie, 1' squares of 2"-thick, 24 pieces. $99.99
Auralex2” Wedgie 1' square
$4.95 (American Musical supply)
EggCrate Mattress Pad (painted black) $8-$12 (www.target.com)$1-$3 Spray paint
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Sound Conditioning – Wind Shield
Wind ShieldsPop Screens
Prevent Pops • T’s, P’s, • B’s, S’s • C’s, K’s• H’s, F’s
PC Production – Softwarehttp://audacity.sourceforge.net/
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Software for PC
Demonstration of Audacity
Audacity examples:
Normalize & AmplifyRecord Tracks 1 & 2Mixing Track 2 into Track 1Applying reverb effects
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Popular Audio formats
WAV – Common PC & MacintoshMP3 – MPEG layer 3, Multipurpose (patented)AIFF – Common Macintosh Ogg Vorbis – Free, unpatented Open Source compression MP3 competitor
http://www.sonicspot.com/guide/fileformatlist.html
PC Production MP3http://www.free-codecs.com/download_soft.php?d=50&s=22
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Sample Rate (Hz) & BitsWhat is a sample rate?
A sample rate is the number of samples per second. A sample rate of 44,100 Hz means the digital file will contain 44,100 samples per second. The higher the sample rate, the closer the digital sample will match the analog waveform.
Common sample rates
22,050 Hz – radio44,100 Hz – audio CD48,000 Hz – digital TV, DVD96,000 – DVD-Audio
Comparison Data
----861 KB11.025 kHz, 8-bit, mono
----1.68 MB11.025 kHz, 16-bit, mono
----1.68 MB11.025 kHz, 8-bit, stereo
----3.36 MB11.025 kHz, 16-bit, stereo
----1.60 MB22.05 kHz, 8-bit, mono
----2.94 MB22.05 kHz, 16-bit, mono
----2.94 MB22.05 kHz, 8-bit, stereo
----5.88 MB22.05 kHz, 16-bit, stereo
----2.52 MB44.1 kHz, 8-bit, mono
----5.04 MB44.1 kHz, 16-bit, mono
469 KB938 KB5.04 MB44.1 kHz, 8-bit, stereo
469 KB938 KB10.0 MB44.1 kHz, 16-bit, stereo
MP3 – 64 KbpsMP3 – 128 KbpsWAV
WAV Audio Format Comparison For a 60 second music clip
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Audio Examples per Format
Comparison audio playback of the different formats. Play Files.
Remember the compression, transmission, and your headphones will also effect the quality of what is heard.
Text-to-Speech
Computer generated audio from text.
Voice Fontshttp://www.cepstral.com/downloads
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Text-to-Speech – Audio Capture
TTS Experiment
Using the Chat feature, a few of you please chat a couple sentences for playback in Swift-Talker using the David or Diane voice font.
Cepstral Swift-Talker Application Launch – Breeze audio (upload separately)
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Quality Survey
Enter the acceptability level of using TTS for Audio Production in the Poll Tool window based on the Chat text.
Scale 1 to 51 - Not acceptable at all2 - It is getting better, but not yet3 - Maybe in special circumstances4 - I can imagine several ways this could work5 - Exactly what I am looking for
Audio Physics
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/soucon.htmlhttp:// hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/audio/audiocon.html#c1http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/sprop.html#c1
ReflectionRefractionDiffraction
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-LearningMarch 23, 2006
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Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints -Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Conclusion
With the audio production capabilities discussed, you can use the audio files produced for audio delivery for web, Flash, CD, DVD, and Podcasting.
Questions.
New Media Tools for Developing High-end e-Learning March 23, 2006
Session 101 - AUDIO ABCs – Application, Background, and Constraints - Dr. David Gordon, Jake Heaton: DocuMedia Learning Group
Audio Production ABCs Application, Background, and Constraints
Additional Resources Low Cost Shotgun Microphone Comparison http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/review_shotgun_mics.html
A Review of Seven Microphones http://blog.case.edu/aaron.shaffer/2006/02/17/a_review_of_seven_microphones_the_heart_of_all_podcasting
Sound Audio Physics (HyperPhysics) http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/audio/audiocon.html#c1
Microphone (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone
Music Technology and Home Recording (101 Tips) http://www.keithgemmell.com/music-technology.htm
SAE Reference Material Center (Audio Studies) http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/index.html
Recording Studio Design Forum http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/index.php
Acoustics 101 (Acoustic Room Design) http://www.acoustics101.com/
Free Sound FX Library http://www.grsites.com/sounds/
A Digital Audio Primer http://www.teamcombooks.com/mp3handbook/11.htm
Audio File Formats http://www.sonicspot.com/guide/fileformatlist.html
Ogg Vorbis FAQ http://www.vorbis.com/faq/
Audio Software Summary Recording & Editing Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Free PC/Mac VST
Fasoft N-Track Studio http://www.ntrack.com/
$50 PC MIDI, DirectX, VST
Power Tracks Pro Audio http://www.pgmusic.com/
$50 PC MIDI, DirectX
Cakewalk Home Studio 4 http://cakewalk.com/Products/HomeStudio/
$100 PC MIDI, DirectX, VST
Cakewalk Sonar 5 Studio http://cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/
$300
PC MIDI, DirectX, VST
Adobe Audition 2.0 http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/
$350 PC DirectX, Video
Ableton Live 5 http://www.ableton.com/index.php?main=live
$400 PC/Mac MIDI, DirectX
Sony Sound Forge 8 http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/Products/ShowProduct.asp?PID=961
$250 PC DirectX, VST, Video
Steinberg Cubase SE http://www.steinberg.de/ProductPage_sb_se3_eu.html
$300
PC/Mac MIDI, VST
MP3 Conversion LAME http://lame.sourceforge.net/
Free PC/Mac MP3 encoder (back end only, no interface)
winLAME http://winlame.sourceforge.net/
Free PC Front-end interface for the LAME encoder.