Introduction to Digital Audio

Essential Question: How does understanding time based media effectively enhance the multimedia process?

Introduction to Sound Sounds are vibrations that travel though the air or some other medium A sound wave is an audible vibration that travels through air or water. The loudness or intensity of a sound is measured in Decibels (dB). The frequency of a sound is measured in Hertz (Hz). 1000 Hertz=Kilohertz (kHz)

The Range of Human Hearing 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz (20 kHz Normal Conversation – 1 kHz to 4 kHz Dogs can hear up to 35 kHz (ultrasound) Sounds below 20 Hz are infra sounds (earthquakes) http://www.vanderbilt.edu/exploration/resources/shapematters_range_800.jpg

Anatomy of a Sound Wave 1 2 3 Crest: Point that exhibits maximum amount of upward displacement from the rest position. Trough: Point that exhibits maximum amount of downward displacement from the rest position. Wavelength: Distance from crest to crest. Amplitude: Distance from rest to crest or rest to trough. Frequency: Number of waves to pass a point in one second. (How Fast) Pitch: Quality of a sound determined by the rate of vibration. The degree of highness or lowness of a tone. (How High)

AMPLITUDE FREQUENCY PITCH

Click on the image to visit: inknowthat.com to view a sound animation

Converting Analog Sound to Digital Sound Analog sound is a continuous phenomena, such as speaking or an electrical pulse from an instrument. Computers can only deal with discrete information, so analog sound must be converted to digital, which is called sampling. Sampling converts electrical energy to binary code (1’s and 0’s) that is readable by computers. Click to View Sampling Animation

Sampling (Continued) Sample Rate: The rate or frequency at which a sound is sampled to digitize it. Measurements of a sound wave over time measured in Hz (cycles/sec). 48 kHz: standard for digital audio CD audio is sampled at 44.1 kHz Bit Rate (Depth): the number of computer bits that are conveyed or processed per unit of time. Normally expressed in kilobits per second (kbps). A higher bit means generally means better quality (resolution). 16 bit: 65,536 24 bit: 16,777,216 Digital Audio 101 - Bit Depth, Sampling Rate, Interpolation

Audio Software Terms Waveform: a visual representation of an audio signal. Clip: is a short segment of audio. It can be combined with others to make an audio track. Track (Channel): an area upon which audio moves. It may be a single waveform or could be made up of clips.

Audio Software Terms (Continued) Channel Single Channel=Mono Two Channels=Stereo reproduction of sound using two or more independent audio channels in a way that creates the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing. Trim: removes everything from the left and right of selected audio. Amplify: change the volume of selected audio.

Exporting Files Exporting: the process of saving an audio file in a format other than the format of the program it was created in. Common Audio Formats WAV (.wav) Developed by IBM and Microsoft for Windows High Quality (Lossless) Large File Size AIFF Developed by Apple MP3 (.mp3) Compressed format Popular for music (MP3 Players) Well suited for Internet Ogg Vorbis (.ogg) Open Source Well Suited for Internet Popular with Gaming Industry

AUP Audio File An AUP file is the native file format for Audacity. An AUP can be opened only in Audacity where the original content can be edited. When you use the Save or Save As command in Audacity, it saves the file in the .aup format. The export command is used to convert an Audacity file to a .wav, .mp3, .aiff, or.ogg.

Question: A group of NTHS students are analyzing audio files to identify short segments to be included in a photo montage for the year-end picnic. These segments are examples of:   Waveforms Clips Track Channels Answer: B

Question: Margie has compiled a collection of funniest moments from her weekly radio show and wants to share them on her website. Which file formats are best suited for use on the internet?   WAV or AIFF AIFF or OGG WAV or MP4 OGG or MP3 Answer: OGG or MP3

In figure 3.01B, if the soundwave represents one second of time, what is the frequency? NCCTE.9_12.BE.BD10.3.01 RBT: 2 4 5 10 Question: Answer: C In figure 3.01B, if the soundwave represents one second of time, what is the frequency? A. 2 B. 4 C. 5 D. 10

Question: Which sound characteristic would be most represented by a bull frog croaking?   crest trough pitch wavelength Answer: Pitch

Question: The mix master is using the visual representation of different sound clips to determine where they are most effectvely combined. These visuals are examples of :   Waveforms Clips Storyboarding Channels Answer: Waveforms

Question: Christopher has finished a presentation on music history and wants to include the highest quality the music samples. Which file type would be most appropriate?    WAV or AIFF AIFF or OGG WAV or MP3 OGG or MP3 Answer: WAV or AIFF

What have you learned? What is soundwaves? What is the range for human hearing? For dogs? What is a crest? Trough? Wavelength? Frequency? Amplitude? Pitch What is sample rate? Bit rate? What is waveform? Clip? Track? Channel? Trim? Amplify? What are common audio formats? Why is each used?

Assignment: 3.01 Sound Basics Worksheet and Determine File Types

Class Assignment: Learning Audacity Piano Movers

Assignment: A Wild Night in Kansas Check microphone & headphones before starting Can move so you are not next to someone Do both audio and sound effects. Search internet for free sound effects. Save as AUP file first. Export as Mp3. Turn in on Canvas when completed as MP3

Assignment: A Night in the Graveyard Check microphone & headphones before starting Can move so you are not next to someone Do both audio and sound effects as MP3. Today: Add effects from Audacity. Example: Fade In/Out, etc. Save as aup file first. Export as Mp3. Turn in on Canvas when completed as MP3

Assignment: Create a Radio Promotion Requirements: Choose a worthy cause, business, club or sport that you can promote Thursday: Must plan what you will say and have it typed or written (50 Points – must be turned in) Friday: Put Together Promotion Audio length: 90 Seconds (20 Points) Promotion must have good flow, sound effects, effects, etc. (30 Points)