Bit-Depth Tonal-Range Sample-Rate Clarity Timbre Pitch Activity: Write the definition for each of the following terms on your worksheet: Bit-Depth Tonal-Range Sample-Rate Clarity Timbre Pitch

Activity: You must explain the main properties of digital sound (Bit Depth, Tonal-Range, Sample-Rate, Clarity, Pitch and Timbre) You must give examples for each one (don’t copy and paste from internet) You should include relevant images

Sample Rate Explained Number of times analog signal is measured (sampled) per second Think of the process as the more ‘snapshots’ per second, the better the sound quality  Higher samples rates = higher sound quality Considerations – Source material you’re working with, capability of audio interface (e.g. sound recorder), final destination of audio (e.g. TV, Radio, Internet)

Sample Rate Explained Number of samples of audio carried per second Measured in Hz or kHz (one kHz being 1 000 Hz) For example, 44 100 samples per second can be expressed as either 44 100 Hz, or 44.1 kHz. 44100 Hz is the Audacity default setting. (Software we will be using) You may wish to change the sample rate in order to reduce file size/CPU usage, but this will impact on quality.

Bit Depth Explained Remember – Digital audio samples use binary numbers (bits) The accuracy of each sample is based on its bit-depth Higher bit rate = audio signal more accurate when sampled Most digital audio system use a minimum of 16 bits per sample (Can represent just of 65500 possible levels) 24-bit can represent over 16 million levels Think of bit depth as a ladder Full Volume Each rung on ladder is a possible volume that a sample can represent When a sample is made, the audio level of the analog signal often falls in the spaces between rungs. In this case, the sample must be rounded to the nearest rung.  Silence

Bit-Depth Explained The more bits per sample, the more accurate the audio signal being recorded is represented

Bit-Depth Explained The more bits per sample, the more accurate the audio signal being recorded is represented

Tonal-Range Explained Also referred to as ‘dynamic range’ Difference between the quietest and loudest volume of a sound (e.g. instrument)

Clarity Explained Quality of sound that is transferred to the listener http://www.ecophon.com/uk/acoustic-solutions/acoustic-knowledge-bank/Basic-acoustics/Room-acoustic-descriptors/Speech-clarity/

Amplitude and Pitch Explained When an object vibrates, it produces sound the greater the amplitude, the louder the sound The greater the frequency, the higher the pitch

Timbre Explained Sound quality is referred to as ‘timbre’ (tone-colour) Characteristic sound produced from every sound source (e.g. voices, instruments, sounds) Timber is what makes one sound different from another (e.g. difference between one instrument playing the same note at the same volume as a completely different instrument) Consider each instrument being represented by its own colour – you can then mix them (produces unique timbre) Tam-bur