Audio

• Audio basic
• The process of capturing and storing audio as electrical voltages
• A technical term for “sound” or a stream of sound, whether produced by electronic or acoustic means

Analog & Digital Recording

• Analog – smooth, continuous flow of voltage
• Digital – converted to distinct steps (0 & 1)

MIDI

• MIDI & audio are completely separate
• Consists of performance instructions

Studio Design

• Mixers
• Recorders
• Signal processors (effects)
• Studio monitors (speakers)
• Integrated (standalone) “All-in-One”
• DAWs
• Computer
• Laptop with USB or FireWire Audio Interface
• Software: Adobe Audition, Nuendo, Pro Tools, etc.

Microphone Basics

• Microphones are transducers
• Basic purpose is to convert acoustical energy (sound waves) to electrical energy (voltages)

Types of Microphones

• Refers to the basic design of the microphone component (element) used to capture the sound.
• There are two common types of microphones:
• Dynamic (Moving electromagnetic coil)
• Condenser (Consists of two plates, one stationary and one moving)
• Pickup (Polar) Pattern

Common Recording Methods

• Stereo Recording
• Record two tracks – left & right
• Basic & direct method
• Multitrack Recording
• More than two tracks (typically 4 – 24)
• Allows for independent recording, editing & mixing of vocals or instruments
• Live Multitrack Recording – Numerous tracks all at the same time
• Overdubbing – Record a track at a later time
• Punch-In/Out – Record a segment of a track starting & ending at precise points

Mixer

• Routes audio signals to a destination
• Mixer combines audio signals into a “mix”
• Channel  Inputs Receives audio from microphones and instruments
• Input Trim (sensitivity or attenuation)
• Adjust volume level, EQ, effects
• Headphones for monitoring
• Near-field Reference Monitors

Miking Ensembles

• Stereo Mic Techniques
• Coincident (X-Y)
• Accent Miking
• Area (Section) Miking

Audio Storage Methods

Linear format

• Analog
• Cassette Tape
• Reel-to-Reel
• Digital
• DAT (Digital Audio tape) stereo format
• Alesis ADAT (VHS tape) 8 track multitrack
• Tascam DA-88 (Hi-8 tape) 8 track multitrack               

Non-linear format

• Hard Disk
• Computer
• Digital audio recording software
• Audio interface
• Dedicated Hard Disk Recorder (HDR)
• Standalone (All-in-One)
• Compact Disc (CD)
• CD-R – write once, read many times
• CD-RW – ReWritable

The Recording Process

• Pre-Production
• Planning, Setup
• Recording
• Post-Production
• Track Editing, Mixing, Mastering, Duplication, Distribution

Recording

• Audio is recorded on a track
• Recorded data is stored on a hard drive
• Recording Tracks
• Adjust input levels
• Select and record enable the tracks
• Press the Record button to begin recording
• Adding More Tracks
• Overdub soloist on a new track
• Use V-Tracks for additional takes

Post-production Mixing

• Use channel volume faders to adjust track levels
• Adjust EQ
• Add effects – reverb, chorus…
• Combine tracks into a stereo mix
• Mixdown to a pair of stereo tracks
• Master the stereo tracks
• Burn the mastered tracks to a CD