Forms of Media and Audio Techniques

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of an oscillator in a synthesiser?

To program preset patches

To filter out unwanted frequencies

To shape the sound's envelope

To generate and produce waveforms (correct)

What distinguishes a preset patch from an initialised patch?

A preset patch can only be used in hardware synths, an initialised patch can be used in DAWs.

A preset patch is created by professionals for specific sounds, an initialised patch is a basic configuration. (correct)

A preset patch is customizable, an initialised patch is not.

A preset patch contains multiple sound waves, an initialised patch contains only one.

In sound synthesis, what does the term 'envelope' refer to?

The control of a sound's duration and dynamics (correct)

The configuration of settings that makes a particular sound

The filtering of specific frequency ranges

The graphical representation of sound waveforms

What type of sound is a sawtooth wave known for?

A rich, bright sound Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the use of voice-over?

An off-screen voice used in various media to convey information Signup and view all the answers

What equipment is essential for achieving perfect synchronization with footage?

Audio recording equipment Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of using libraries of sound effects compared to recording Foley?

They are sorted into categories and easy to find. Signup and view all the answers

Which method is most effective for recording environmental sounds realistically?

XY microphone method Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement when using the Mid-Side stereo recording technique?

Processing in DAW is necessary post-recording. Signup and view all the answers

What type of sound effects are utilized to emphasize specific moments in visual media?

Spot effects Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a challenge associated with recording environmental sounds?

Difficulties in controlling every sound Signup and view all the answers

What is typically true of commercial sound effects libraries?

They are professionally recorded but require a purchase fee. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common drawback of recording environmental sounds outdoors?

Outdoor locations can be unpredictable due to weather. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of using original music in media?

It will match actions and emotions on screen. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario is an example of Foley sound creation?

Recording the sound of a chair creaking live in a studio. Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of using Foley in media production?

It requires a quiet space without background noise. Signup and view all the answers

What is underscoring in sound creation for media?

Incorporating background music while other sounds are present. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reason pre-existing music might be used in media?

It can be familiar to the audience, attracting them. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following techniques is NOT typically used during Foley editing in a DAW?

Creating a musical score Signup and view all the answers

What type of media typically uses jingles?

Radio broadcasts Signup and view all the answers

What is a major disadvantage when choosing pre-existing music for a project?

It is difficult to license and may require adjustments. Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended solution for eliminating plosive 'pop' noises in a voice-over recording?

Use a pop filter Signup and view all the answers

Which technique can be used to reduce unwanted sounds between words and phrases in a recording?

Use a noise gate Signup and view all the answers

What effect does side-chain compression have in voice-over work?

It allows another track to reduce its volume when the voice-over sounds. Signup and view all the answers

Why is room tone important in recording dialogue?

It fills silence spaces between dialogue naturally. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a condenser microphone used for voice-over?

It has a cardioid polar pattern, focusing on sound from the front. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes diegetic sound from non-diegetic sound in film?

Diegetic sound can be heard by characters on screen. Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided to ensure that recorded dialogue sounds realistic?

Positioning the microphone too far from the speaker. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason for using overdubbing in film production?

To re-record dialogue due to background noise during filming. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Forms of Media

Video games, Movies, TV Shows, Installations, Advertisements and Animations are all examples of Visual media forms.
Jingles, Podcasts and Radio Broadcasts are examples of Non-Visual media forms.
Theatre, TV Shows, Radio Broadcasts are Live forms of media.

Jingle

A jingle is a short, memorable slogan or catchphrase with an accompanying melody and music.
Original music can be custom composed for actions and emotions on screen. However, it may require an external composer and take more time and money.
Pre-existing music may not be possible to license, however, existing music takes less time, is familiar to consumers and may attract a target audience.

Underscore

Underscore music plays in the background with other sound components, such as dialogue.

Foley

Foley is a way of creating and performing everyday sounds using physical props in a recording studio.
Foley examples include footsteps, door slamming, and objects being moved on a table.
Foley recordings are performed live and need to be synchronized to the action on screen.

Foley Studio

A Foley studio should be quiet and without any interference from background noise.
Foley requires the use of microphones with the appropriate polar pattern for the recording environment.

Benefits of Foley

Foley provides sound effects that are perfectly synchronized to the actions on screen.
Foley can be re-recorded to provide variations of sounds.
Foley is unique due to its original recordings.
High-quality recordings can be achieved with Foley.

Disadvantages of Foley

Foley production can be time-consuming due to its live recording nature.
Background noise interference can be an issue, requiring quiet spaces for production.
It can be physically impossible to recreate certain sounds exactly.
Foley requires the use of audio recording equipment and a variety of visual props.
Producers need to know how to professionally record sound.
Foley requires time to record and edit in a DAW.

Editing Foley in a DAW

Editing Foley can include time stretching, EQ/filters, trimming/top and tailing, pitch shifting, and looping.

Effects Libraries

Effects Libraries are collections of sounds that can be used as an alternative to Foley recordings.
These libraries are organized into categories for easy access.

Types of Libraries

Commercial Libraries can be purchased for a fee to cover copyright and are often professionally recorded.
Online Resources are often free or sometimes have fees. Online libraries can include both professional and amateur recordings.
DAW Loops are pre-recorded sound effects that can be imported and used in DAWs. Some loops may require separate installations.

Spot Effects

Spot Effects are sound effects that are used to emphasize specific moments within media, such as an action on screen or text.

Environmental Sounds

Environmental sounds are the background sounds of a place or space.
Environmental sounds can be layered in DAWs to create realistic soundscapes.

Recording Environmental Sounds

Environmental sound recordings should be lengthy to avoid sounding repetitive when looped.
The XY Microphone method is used to capture a wide stereo image.
The Mid-Side stereo recording method can also be used for wide stereo images. It uses a cardioid microphone to capture the middle and a figure-of-eight microphone to capture the sides.
The Mid-Side stereo recordings must be processed in a DAW after recording by panning the side microphone tracks left and right, and inverting the polarity on one side track.

Problems Recording Environmental Sounds

Environmental sound recording can be difficult to control due to many external factors, such as background noise and weather.
Recording environmental sounds requires portable equipment and power supplies.
It can be expensive to travel to locations for environmental recordings.
Weather can significantly impact outdoor recording.

Sound Synthesis

Sound synthesis generates sound using waveforms within a synthesised to create original sound effects.
Synthesisers can be physical hardware or DAW plugins.
Synthesisers can create both musical and non-musical sounds.

Sound Synthesis – Key Terms

Patch is a configuration of settings on a synthesiser to create a specific sound.
Initialised Patch refers to the most basic sound setting on a synthesiser which is often a single sound wave.
Preset Patch is a programmed setting created by a professional to have a specific sound. DAWs come with many preset patches.
Synth Pad is a long, synthesised note or chord that fills and enriches the space in the music.

Components of a Synthesizer

Oscillator is a component in a synthesiser that generates sound by producing waveforms at specific frequencies, creating different tones and textures.
Filter allows specific frequencies to be filtered out, changing the tone of the sound.
Envelope shapes the duration of a sound by controlling how it starts, holds, and fades. It is often represented as a graph.
Sawtooth is a type of sound wave created by a synthesiser with a rich bright sound.
Sub Drop is a sound effect created with a deep, heavy, dramatic sound.

Voice-over

Voice-over is any voice coming from a character that is not visible on screen.
Voice-over is commonly used in advertising, film trailers, and other media.

Recording Voice-over: Problems and Solutions

Shut windows, turn off air conditioning, or record in a quieter space to avoid background noise.
Use a pop filter to reduce plosive ‘pop’ noises that occur during recording.
Place the microphone slightly off-axis to the mouth to reduce the harshness of plosives.
Use a High Pass Filter (HPF) to remove low rumble.
Trim tracks to remove unwanted sounds between words and phrases.
Use a noise gate to reduce unwanted ambient noise.
Use a compressor to even out the large jumps in volume.
Use a condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern for voice-over recording.

Side-chain Compression

Side-chain compression occurs when a compressor listens to an additional track, applying compression when that track hits a threshold.
Side-chain compression can be used to make the underscore music quieter when voice-over is present.

Dialogue

Dialogue is any speech that comes from a person on screen and may be recorded during filming or overdubbed.

Overdubbing

Overdubbing is recording a track over a previously recorded track.

Reasons for Overdubbing

Overdubbing can be used to reduce the amount of background music from an on-location recording.
It can be used to replace the voice of an actor on camera with a different voice actor.
Overdubbing can be used when recording different languages for media production.

Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound refers to sound that comes from the actions on screen, and characters can hear.

Non-diegetic Sound

Non-diegetic sound is sound that is not included in the action, such as voice-over and underscore.

Recording Dialogue

Dialogue recording must sound realistic and not like voice-over.
Room tone should be recorded to fill in silent gaps between dialogue. Room tone is the natural sound of a space.
Dialogue must be perfectly synchronized with the actor.

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Description

Explore various forms of media, including visual and non-visual types, and learn about key audio techniques such as jingles, underscores, and Foley. This quiz will test your knowledge on how these elements play a crucial role in media production.