Audio Engineering

• 1. AUDIO ENGINEERINGRoberto Clavero (100161415)and Andrew Thomas (9701095)

2. WHAT IS AUDIO ENGINEERING? Audio engineering is the reproduction or recording of sound through variousmeans. An Audio engineer uses several forms of equipment to reproduce or record thissound. Whilst the engineer presses all the buttons, its the producer in a studiothat directs the artists ideas. This sound can be reproduced at a live event. E.g. Concert, conference, Radio,or Live TV. Recorded sound can be stored so it can be reproduced later. E.g. Studiorecording, Film, television, as well as radio.(McMahon,M, 2014) 3. AREAS COVEREDThis presentation aims to be an informative resource, covering The types of equipment used Computer programs used The techniques used in production Influential sound engineers and producersIn the areas of: Film industry Studio Recording 4. Recording Studio This is the facility where most of recordings take place. It is a venuedesigned by acoustic technicians to provide the best possible soundwith the least interference. A basic studio has the recording booth where the artist performs anda control room where most of the recording devices are installed, aswell as other equipment to assist the recording process. Both rooms are sound proof to ensure no spill between the boothand control room, which normally has a lot of chatter and devicenoise. chatter.(Wikipedia 2014) 5. Equipment UsedA Standard list of equipment used in a recording studioinclude: Microphones, stands and leads. Mixing desk with various amount of channels(tracks). Recording device. Hard disk digital recording. Talk-back systems to facilitate communication between thesound booth and control room. This is also how the artistslistens to the recording track to perform to it. Speakers.(Crosby 2008) 6. Recording and Digital EquipmentThe recording process has changed since the advent of recording sound. From 1900 to 1950s, all sound was recorded to vinyl. From 1950s to mid 90s, they used magnetic tape. From the on hard disk recording or digital recording. Digital recordingallowed engineers to record infinite amount of tracks where as tape had itslimits. Computer programs used in the recording process include Pro Tools, Cubase,and Reaper. Other digital devices include effects units, compressors, and samplers.(Technology and the Audio Engineer Part I, no date) 7. Techniques used in production Individual tracks recording Where a band choose to record everyinstrument or vocal tracks one at a time and build different layers forthe engineer to mix later. (Rudolph, 2013) Live Recording Where and band chooses to record all tracks in onego to achieve a live performance feel. (Rudolph, 2013) Though digital is the norm in recording, sometimes to achieve a vinylfeel, bands would opt to record on magnetic tape though processorscan still try to imitate that sound in post mix. . (Rudolph, 2013) Wall of sound was invented by Phil Spectre whos technique was tosaturate the studio with sound. (YouTube, 2008) 8. Wall of Sound by Phil SpectorPlay Video 9. Influential Sound Engineers/ProducersAs previously mentioned, one of the most influential soundengineer/record producer was Phil Spector who recorded some of thegreatest bands of all time. Others include: George Martin who produced the Beatles Sgt Peppers Lonely HeartsClub Band. Nile Rodgers-Madonna, Diana ross, David Bowie Rick Rubin-AC/DC, Rd Hot Chilli Pepper. Quincy Jones-Michael Jackson, George Benson.(Chester, No date) 10. Audio Engineering- FilmThis section will concentrate on Audio Engineering within the filmindustry 11. Influential film Audio EngineersIt was not until the 1926 film Don Juan that music and sound effectswere successfully integrated into a feature length film, heralding a newage in the film industry (Feaster, 2014).This was only possible due to the invention of the Vitaphone byWestern Electric, using the audion tube (invented by Dr Lee DeForest)and electromagnetic photograph producer (invented by DR Irving BCrandall and F.W Kranz) (Neibaur, 2013)Although not a audio engineer by trade, it was the visionary SamWarner, of Warner Brothers, who first introduced the Vitaphone into afeature film.This was the first step in the introduction of sound into film. 12. Computer programs usedThe evolution of sound in film has lead inevitably to the creation oftechnology to assist engineers in, mainly, editing and mixing sound forfilm.Some of the more advanced and common software programs include(Alire,2012): Final Cut Studio Pro Tools Logic Pro 13. Techniques used in productionThere are many techniques involved in producing sound for filmdepending upon which area you specialise in. For Example (Weis,1995): Recording- Boom microphones where there is limited backgroundnoise or lavalier mike on actors chest where there is excessivebackground noise Designing- Selecting sounds which compliment the on screen visulasto create tension, atmosphere and emotion Editing- Using software to clean up unwanted background noise andadd sound effects 14. ConclusionThe role of an Audio Engineer is one which is vital in the reproductionand recording of sound in a magnitude of applications. From workingwith artists in a recording studios, through to recording sound on a filmset, the role of an Audio Engineer can take many forms.Without Audio Engineers, the high quality music and film which weenjoy today would simply not be possible. 15. ReferencesAlire, J 2012, Best Software for Post Production Audio Editing and Mixing, 5jmedia.com, viewed 8 September 2014, Chester, Tim. The 50 Greatest Producers Ever, 10 September 2014.Feaster, F 2014, Don Juan (1926), TCM.com, viewed 8 September 2014, McMahon, Mary. What Is Audio Engineering? 3rd September 2014. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-audio-engineering.html> Retrieved 11 September 2014MPG. Technology and the Audio Engineer Part I, No date. http://www.music-production-guide.com/audio-engineer-and-technology.htmml Retrieved 10 September 2014Neibaur, J L 2013, Vitaphone: When Sound Came to the Screen, Examiner.com, viewed 8 September 2014, Phil Spectors Wall of Sound 2008, YouTube, Viewed 10 September 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmRBrnQq8o8oRecording Arts Canada 2014, Sound Engineering for Film, Recording Arts Canada, viewed 8 September 2014, Rudolph, Barry. In The Studio: Techniques To Get Great Sounding Vocals 22 August 2013. http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/the_tradecraft_of_recording_vocals/P33/Retrieved 11 September 2014Weis, E 1995, Sync tanks- The Art and Technique of Postproduction Sound, Filmsound.org, viewed 8 September 2014,