In this session we looked at the different type of sound and how they have progressed though-out history.
History Types of Recording
- Mechanical – “A system of recording sound in which the shape of the medium is mechanically altered”
- Magnetic – Sound waves vibrate the microphone diaphragm and is converted into a representation of the sound as magnetized areas on a plastic tape
- Analog magnetic
- Vinyl
- Digital
Examples
Edoubard Leon Scott De Martinville’s (Mechanical) –
Created in 1857
A cone shaped horn which was turned on it axis with the sound wave recorded in a continuous line on the surface of the cylinder.
Vlademar Poulsen (Magnetic)
Created In 1898
A device which consists of a thin metal wire that helps transmit electrical signals over a wire laid between stations
Tape Recorder(Analog Magnetic)
Developed in the 1920s
As the earliest known magnetic audio recording was invented by Valdemar Poulsen research and development carried on throughout the world, and a new type of recorder was produced were the tape was instead coated with magnetic powder compared to the metal wire.
Peter Goldmak (Vinyl)
Created in 1948
The introduction of the worlds first long play record was a great development in audio recording as Peter was able to have a capacity of 21 minutes of audio each side. This also helped change the music industry as it allowed for longer recording and listening times.
Sony PCM-1 (Digital)
Developed in 1977
Although the first digital recording was publicly launched in Japan during the 60s a development made by Sony was the Sony PCM-1. For this invention you cannot credit one person but you have to credit the company as they were the first to distribute the recorder.
Types of Sound
- Diegetic – we see it, we hear it
- Non-diegetic – we hear it but we don’t see it
- Music
- Dialogue
- Foley sound effects
| Games/VR | Film, TV, Radio and Podcast |
| Non – linear | Linear |
| Interactive | Non – Interactive |
| Adaptive | Pre – determined |
| Music helps to create the emotional state of the player | Music reflects the emotional state of the on screen characters |
| Kinetic Interaction | Passive |
Recording Sound
Omni-directional: A microphone that picks up sound in a circular way which means it is sensitive to sound from the front.
Bi-directional: A microphone that has a figure of 8 pick up pattern. This is good for recording voice of two people taking while facing one another.
Uni-directional: A microphone that is mainly sensitive to sounds that are coming from the front.
Rifle Mic(Hyper Cardioid): A microphone where the sound is mostly sensitive towards the front, used for film and video location sound recording
Sound Recorders and Mixers for Film and TV
- DAT (digital audio tape)
- Tascam
- SQN mixer
- Nagra Mixer
Post Sound Recording
Things to keep in mind in post production:
- Levels : fade up and down to prevent popping at the beginning and of audio clips
- Pan
- Loudness
- Equalisation (EQ)
- Dynamic range
Mono: A single track to output sound to multiple speakers
Stereo: Uses multiple tracks to output different speakers
Post mixing Levels:
- Max peak = -2db
- Dialogue = -12db to -10db
- Loud effects = -3db to -2db
- Soundtrack or sore music must not compete with dialogue = -5db to -4db
Audio File Formats
Uncompressed:
- WAV (Waveform audio format)
- AIFF (Audio interchange file format)
Compressed:
- MP3
- AAC (Advanced audio coding)
- WMA (Windows media audio)
Ways of getting sound effects
- Synthesizer
- Foley
- Purchased (copyright)
- Royalty free
- Samples
bibliography:
https://griffonagedotcom.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/the-first-phonautograph-in-america-1859/
http://www.inventingeurope.eu/globalisation/recording-the-past&object
https://depositphotos.com/21466705/stock-photo-retro-audio-tape-recorder.html
Benjamin Howse Journal 