U2 L1: Audio Production: Basic Tools And Techniques Flashcards
Who are Sound Engineering Technicians?
Professionals who work in audio facilities to do mix-downs, mastering and other sound techniques
What are Digital Audio Workstations? (DAW)
Portable studios, operated by a software, used to record and create music
What is Direct Sound?
Sound that comes from the source (production sound, person near you)
What is Reflected Sound?
- Sound that bounces off surfaces
- More complex than direct sound because surfaces are at different distances
What are ‘live’ materials?
Materials on which sound bounces off (metal, stone, glass)
What are ‘not live’ materials?
Materials that absorb and deaden sound (carpet, padded furniture, draperies)
What is Production Sound?
Sound that is recorded on the location of filming
What is a Locked Picture?
The stage where the movie is fixed and the director and producer no longer intends to make any changes
What does Mixing mean?
When an editor blends all clips to create a balanced sound experience
What is a Program Timeline?
In a software, shows all editing decisions made in chronological order
What does a Location Recordist/ Production Mixer do?
- Records clear dialogue on a set location
- Captures little background noise
- Captures room tone and sounds specific to the location for the editor in post-production
What does a Boom Operator do?
- Uses a boom microphone to record dialogue
- Needs to be as close as possible without appearing in frame
What is Room Tone?
Sound in a location when no one is talking
What do Live Sound Engineers do?
Controls sound at live events (concerts, theater)
What is Sound Design?
The setting up of equipment to capture music
What is a PA?
- Public Adress
- System only makes sounds louder
What is Sound Reinforcement?
Designing the sound design so it is evenly distributed to the audience
What are the two main ways to set up speakers for events?
Directional Installation and Non-Directional Installation
What is Directional Installation?
- Setting up speakers so that they are facing the same direction
- Listeners will hear sound coming from one direction
What is Non-Directional Installation?
Setting up speakers so that sound-pressure is equally distributed
What are Supplementary Speakers used for?
- Speakers to fill in gaps where primary speakers do not reach
- Used in large spaces that are reverberant (echo effect)
What is SPL and what is it measured on?
Sound-pressure level and is measured in Decibels (dB)
For a PA announcement how high should the SPL be?
6 dB higher than the ambient noise
If there is background music playing during a PA announcement, how high should the SPL be?
3 dB higher than the background music
How does CEILING height affect the sound coverage of a speaker?
Low - less coverage, needs more speakers
High - more coverage, but higher output level needed
Height of the listener is also important
How should speakers be mounted on a wall?
best height and angle
For every doubling of the distance how much will the SPL decrease?
6dB
What is attenuation?
reduction of sound
What is the maximum sound level a person can handle?
120 dB
What are Line Arrays?
Narrow and vertical speakers in front of a stage
What are the four main components with which Technicians and Engineers set up sound systems?
Input Transduction Devices
Mixing/Effects and Processors
Amplification
Output/Speakers
IT MEP AM OS
What do Input Transduction Devices do?
- Converts source sound into electrical signals to feed playback devices or a microphone
- Microphones and Audio Players
What is the process through with Microphones convert acoustic sound to electrical signals?
- Sound waves
- Mic diaphragm vibrates
- Voice coil vibrates in a magnetic field with the microphone’s magnet
- Electrical signal
What does the Mixing/Effects and Processors part of the chain do?
Takes Electrical signals, mixes the input sources and may add effects
What does the Amplification part of the chain do?
- Increases the processed audio signals to a level that is suitable to power a speaker
- Two-channel amplifiers= 2 channels
- Multi-channel amplifiers= 4-8 channels
What does the Output/Speakers part of the chain do?
Takes the amplified electrical signals and turns it back into acoustic sound
What does a Recording Engineer do?
Operates equipment in a recording studio to capture and create sound for artists and producers for recording
