CD 222

AUDIO AND VIDEO PRODUCTION

LECTURE 4: Audio Systems and Production
Audio Recording
• Audio recording and production is an electrical, mechanical, electronic,
or digital inscription and creation of sound waves, such as spoken
voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects.
• The two main classes of audio recording technology which are;-
i. Analog recording
ii. Digital recording
Analog Recording
• Acoustic analog recording is achieved by a microphone diaphragm
that senses changes in atmospheric pressure caused by acoustic
sound waves and records them as a mechanical representation of the
sound waves on a medium such as a phonograph record.
• In magnetic tape recording, the sound waves vibrate the microphone
diaphragm and are converted into a varying electric current, which is
then converted to a varying magnetic field by an electromagnet, which
makes a representation of the sound as magnetized areas on a plastic
tape with a magnetic coating on it.
• Analog sound reproduction is the reverse process, with a bigger
loudspeaker diaphragm causing changes to atmospheric pressure to
form acoustic sound waves.
Digital Recording
• Digital recording converts the analog sound signal picked up by the
microphone to a digital form by the process of sampling.
• This lets the audio data be stored and transmitted by a wider variety of
media.
• Digital recording stores audio as a series of binary numbers (zeros and
ones) representing samples of the amplitude of the audio signal at
equal time intervals, at a sample rate high enough to convey all
sounds capable of being heard.
• A digital audio signal must be reconverted to analog form during
playback before it is amplified and connected to a loudspeaker to
produce sound.
Difference between Analog and Digital Recording
• a purely analog recording would be something that was recorded on
tape and produced using manual equipment to mix, master and press.
• A purely digital recording would be recorded on a computer program
such as Pro Tools, mixed, mastered and produced digitally, and
eventually burned onto a CD as an MP3 or audio file.
• The most ironic aspect of the debate about digital vs. analog recording
is that nowadays a lot of music is a combination of the two.
• For example, you might record a song onto analog tape, but mix and
master it digitally, or release it on the Internet as an MP3.
Cont..,
• Digital is much cheaper.
• Recording an album with analog technology can require a whole
studio full of equipment, but with digital recording technology, it’s
possible to record a whole album in a bedroom on a laptop.
• And whereas analog technology can wear out or be damaged, digital
media can last for an indefinite length of time.
Audio
• Audio is a term used to describe any sound or noise in a range the
human ear is capable of hearing.
• Measured in hertz, the audio signal on a computer is generated using
a sound card and heard through speakers or headphones.
• Any digital information with speech or music stored on and played
through a computer is known as an audio file or sound file.
• One of the most common types of audio file formats used today is the
MP3.
Types of Audio
i. Mono Audio
ii. Stereo Audio
Mono Audio
• Mono is short for monophonic, meaning one sound.
 Mono = One
 Phonē (Greek) – Phonic (English) = Sound
• Mono sound is any sound – in most cases, music, that is recorded and or
played back using one audio channel.
• For example, one microphone recording a guitar is a mono recording,
because you’re using one channel (with one mic) to pick up the sound of the
guitar.
• Even if you record multiple instruments, using one microphone, it is still a
mono recording because everything is being captured and played back
through one channel.
• All you need to know about mono is that it is a system of recording and
playing back audio through one channel.
• It doesn’t matter how many sounds or instruments there are in the recording.
• If it is all sent through one channel, it is mono.
Stereo Audio
• Stereo is short for stereophonic, meaning full sound.
 Stereós (Greek) – Stereo (English) = Full
 Phonē (Greek) – Phonic (English) = Sound
• Stereo is sound recorded with two microphones and or played back through
two channels.
• All our listening systems are configured in stereo; our phones, laptop
speakers, headphones, the sound in films, the sound in video games, the PA
systems in clubs and festivals and so on.
• Everything that produces sound in consumer electronics and media has two
channels and is therefore configured to stereo.
• There two types of stereo.
i. True stereo is when a sound source like an instrument or dialogue is recorded with
two microphones.
ii. Pseudo stereo or, simulated stereo is anything that plays through two channels but
isn’t recorded in true stereo.
• For example, if you record a guitar with one microphone, the guitar will be in mono but played back in stereo,
because all audio playback systems play sound through two channels.
Audio Recording Systems
• Component for audio recording
i. Microphone
ii. Audio interface
iii. Pop filter
iv. Mic stand
v. Recording software
vi. Isolation booth
vii. Headphone
Microphone
• A microphone called a mic or mike is a device – a transducer – that
converts sound into an electrical signal.
• Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones,
hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and public
events, motion picture production, live and recorded audio
engineering, sound recording, two-way radios, megaphones, radio and
television broadcasting.
• They are also used in computers for recording voice, speech
recognition, VoIP, and for non-acoustic purposes such as ultrasonic
sensors or knock sensors.
Types of Microphone
i. Dynamic microphone
ii. Condenser microphone
iii. Ribbon microphone
Dynamic Microphone
• The Dynamic Microphone is a good all rounder
microphone which can be used for vocals,
recording drums as well as guitar amps.
• It does not need a power supply
• They are fairly low cost
• Most common types are the Shure SM57 and
the Shure SM58
Condenser Microphone
• Ideal for recording vocals or acoustic
guitars
• Perfect for precision recording and
capturing subtle tones on pianos or
acoustic guitars
• They do need a power supply
• Very sensitive to breathing and “popping”
Ribbon Microphones
• Extremely sensitive microphone
• Great for vocals, choirs, piano, strings, and woodwind
• Perfect for recording multi-instruments in a room
• Often described as a more vintage vibe
• Can be quite expensive
These are less common and usually used by professionals only.
Audio Interface
• The audio interface is the hub of the modern recording studio.
• From humble home studios to massive media production houses,
• audio interfaces serve the vital function of passing audio from the
outside world into your computer and back again.
• For many artists and engineers, the audio interface is the single most
important piece of hardware, providing microphone preamplifiers,
direct instrument inputs, digital converters, metering, headphone
distribution, even digital signal processing (DSP), all in one unit.
• In more sophisticated setups, high-channel-count audio interfaces
completely replace the role of traditional recording consoles.
What types of audio interfaces are there?
• USB Audio Interfaces
 While you might encounter an old USB 1.1 audio interface, USB 2.0 is the most common
connection type on the market,
 providing moderate speed and near-universal compatibility with both Mac and Windows PCs.
 Many USB audio interfaces include “latency-free” monitoring options, which range from analog
routing options that let you monitor the live input to more advanced onboard digital mixers that
may even include DSP effects/processing.
 USB 3.0 is over 10 times faster than USB 2.0, supporting higher track counts with less latency.

• Thunderbolt and PCI Audio Interfaces

 Audio interfaces connecting via Thunderbolt offer connectivity speeds twice as fast as USB 3.0
and over 12 times as fast as FireWire 800.
 While Thunderbolt ports are universally found on modern Macs, they’re uncommon on Windows
PCs, and many popular Thunderbolt audio interfaces don’t support the Windows OS.
 PCIe audio interfaces boast specifications in line with Thunderbolt audio interfaces but require
PCIe slots for installation.
 PCIe systems - such as Avid Pro Tools | HDX and Apogee Symphony - are typically intended for
high-volume professional audio-production applications.
• FireWire Audio Interfaces
 There are two types of FireWire found on audio interfaces: the older FireWire 400, which is the
same speed as USB 2.0, and FireWire 800, which is almost twice as fast.
 For years, FireWire was the standard for high-speed audio interfaces and was found almost
exclusively on Mac computers.
 Most modern computers connect to FireWire audio interfaces via FireWire-to-Thunderbolt
adapters.
• Ethernet Audio Interfaces
 Referred to with many names - networked audio, Dante, Audio over Ethernet - these interfaces
are nearly latency-free with limitless expandability,
 which makes them well-suited for complex recording or live sound setups.
 Multi-room systems will especially benefit from having an Ethernet solution as it's central audio
interface.
• MIDI Interfaces
 Send and receive MIDI signal between your computer, keyboards, control surfaces, dedicated
audio interfaces and more for even greater flexibility in your recording setup.
 They can connect to any computer or MIDI-equipped hardware via standard 5-pin MIDI jacks.
Labeled Audio Interface
Reading Exercise
1. What should I consider when choosing an audio interface?
2. Is an audio interface the same as a sound card?
3. Compare USB microphone and audio interface.
4. What is the purpose of an audio interface?
5. How do I connect an audio interface to my computer?
6. What is the best external soundcard or audio interface for music
production?
 Pop filter
• A pop filter, pop shield or pop screen is a noise
protection filter for microphones, typically used
in a recording studio.
• It serves to reduce or eliminate popping
sounds caused by the mechanical impact of
fast-moving air on the microphone from
plosives during recorded speech and singing.
 Microphone Stand
• Microphone stands and boom arms offer
advantages when it comes to recording,
live performances, and other activities.
• Boom microphone stands give the best
of both worlds, stability and diverse
positioning options.
• Not all live or studio microphone stands
need booms to work smaller varieties of
mic stands without booms are desirable
for their portability and compact size.
Cont..,
• A microphone stand holds the mic in place,
• It provides stability, and will often offer adjustable positions.
• These stands promote better sound capture by lifting the microphone
off of the ground and protecting it from physical interference.
• Whether you plan on using a mic for chatting online, playing music, or
building a home studio, a stand helps you achieve high-quality audio
results.
 What's a Boom Arm?
• A boom arm is a long rod that attaches to the top of a
stand.
• It allows for vertical and horizontal movement, and
increases the number of possible mic positions.
• A wide range of placement options makes it easy to
precisely adjust the mic, resulting in accurate and effective
sound capture.
• Most boom mic stands don't come with clips, so it's a good
idea to get them separately.
• Microphone clips screw on to the end of boom arms and
hold the mics in place.
 Isolation Booth
• An isolation booth is a cabinet used to
prevent a person or people from seeing or
hearing certain events, usually for television
programs or for blind testing of products.
OR
• Is a small soundproof booth used (as in a
television studio) as a small studio within a
larger studio.
Headphone
• Headphones are a pair of small loudspeaker drivers worn on or around
the head over a user's ears.
• They are electroacoustic transducers, which convert an electrical
signal to a corresponding sound.
• Headphones let a single user listen to an audio source privately, in
contrast to a loudspeaker, which emits sound into the open air for
anyone nearby to hear.
• Headphones are also known as earspeakers