1. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
1
Produce a glossary of terms specific to the methods and principles of sound design and production. Using a provided template, you must
research and gather definitions specific to provided glossary terms. Any definitions must be referenced with the URL link of the website you
have obtained the definition.
You must also, where possible, provide specific details of how researched definitions relate to your own production practice.
Name: Liam Fryers RESEARCHED DEFINITION (provide short internet researched
definition and URL link)
DESCRIBE THE RELEVANCE OF THE
RESEARCHED TERM TO YOUR OWN
PRODUCTION PRACTICE?
SOUND DESIGN
METHODOLOGY
Foley Artistry Foley is the reproduction of everyday sound effects which are added
in post-production to enhance the quality of audio for films,
television, video, video games and radio. These reproduced sounds
can be anything from the swishing of clothing and footsteps to
squeaky doors and breaking glass.
http://www.videomaker.com/article/7220-real-time-sound-effects-
the-foley-way
I have gone out and recorded many
different sounds such as walking, doors
opening and closing and ambient noise
to enhance and sound productions I
produce.
Sound Libraries a collection of sounds stored on file (for example on CDs, DVDs, or as
digital audio files)
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sound-library
I have built up and accessed several
sound libraries to allow me to continue
my work.
SOUND FILE FORMATS Uncompressed A raw file that hasn’t been compressed.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/uncompressed
I have recorded several field recordings
that have been in a raw uncompressed
format for use later.
.wav Waveform Audio File Format is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format
standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs.
http://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-ema-vpim-wav-00
I have rendered several sounds out into
this format.
.aiff Audio Interchange File Format is an audio file format standard used
for storing sound data for personal computers and other electronic
audio devices.
http://www-
mmsp.ece.mcgill.ca/Documents/AudioFormats/AIFF/Docs/AIFF-
1.3.pdf
I have not used this file format in my
work so far; however can see how it
may be useful to me for uncompressed
files.
.au A digital audio file format from Sun that is used on the Internet and
can be played by a Java program. It provides toll-quality sound and
uses the .AU extension. It generally uses the u-Law (mu-Law)
encoding method, and raw u-Law files and AU files are the same
I have not used this file format in my
work so far; however can see how it
may be useful to me for uncompressed
files.

2. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
2
except for the file header.
http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/38149/au-file
.smp The file extension ".smp" shows up on several different types of files
used for very different programs including audio files, images and
email messages.
http://www.ehow.com/info_12198596_file-smp.html#ixzz2zeYlMJed
I have not used this file format in my
work so far, however can see how it
may be useful to me such as for having a
sound that can be accessed over
multiple programs without having to
worry about compatibility.
Lossy Compression lossy compression is a data encoding method that compresses data
by discarding (losing) some of it. The procedure aims to minimize the
amount of data that needs to be held, handled, and/or transmitted
by a computer
http://www.bobulous.org.uk/misc/lossy_audio_2006.html
Lossy compression is relevant to my
work as it allows me to save my work
into small and accessible ways.
.mp3 MP3 is compressed audio file format. MP3 files are typically about
one tenth the size of uncompressed WAVE or AIFF files, but maintain
nearly the same CD-quality sound. Because of their small size and
good fidelity, MP3 files have become a popular way to store music
files on both computers and portable devices like the iPod.
http://www.techterms.com/definition/mp3
I have not used this file format so far
however it would be useful to my work
as it would allow me to save high quality
sounds at small file sizes allowing more
to be saved.
AUDIO LIMITATIONS Sound Processor Unit (SPU) Integrated circuit that generates an audio signal and sends it to a
computer's speakers. The sound card can accept an analog sound (as
from a microphone or audio tape) and convert it to digital data that
can be stored in an audio file, or accept digitized audio signals (as
from an audio file) and convert them to analog signals that can be
played on the computer's speakers. On a personal computer, the
sound card is usually a separate circuit board that is plugged into the
motherboard.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Audio+processing+unit
I have not used this during my work so
far; however I understand that it could
become useful if I was to record
analogue sounds and want to convert
them into a digital format that could be
edited.
Digital Sound Processor (DSP) A digital sound processor is a tool that incorporates computer
technology to change the technical aspects of analog sound.
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5879513_define-digital-sound-
processor.html#ixzz2zhAS5CQ9
I have not used this so far within my
work however can see how it may be
useful to my work in enhancing my
sounds.
Random Access Memory (RAM) the most common computer memory which can be used by programs
to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated
circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in
any order and all storage locations are equally accessible.
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=random-
access%20memory
This is relevant to my work as it allows
the sound editing software that I have
been using to function and work.

3. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
3
Mono Audio Commonly called mono sound, mono, or non-stereo sound, this early
sound system used a single channel of audio for sound output. In
monophonic sound systems, the signal sent to the sound system
encodes one single stream of sound and it usually uses just one
speaker. Monophonic sound is the most basic format of sound
output.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/monophonic_sound.html
I have used mono audio in my sound
recordings for directional sounds and is
useful for picking up specific sounds that
can be edited later.
Stereo Audio Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method of
sound reproduction that creates an illusion of directionality and
audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two or more
independent audio channels through a configuration of two or more
loudspeakers (or stereo headphones)in such a way as to create the
impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural
hearing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound
I have used stereo audio in my sound
recording for ambient sounds and is
useful for picking up background noise
that isn’t focused on anything. I also
render all of my work into a stereo
format.
Surround Sound Surround sound is a term used to describe a type of audio output in
which the sound appears to "surround the listener" by 360 degrees.
Surround sound systems use three or more channels and speakers in
front and behind the listener to create a surrounding envelope of
sound and directional audio sources. The term surround sound has
become popular in recent years and more commonly used since the
advent of home theater systems. Surround sound can be either an
analog or digital system.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/surround_sound.html
I have not used surround sound so far
within my work; however can see how it
may be useful to my projects. It could
allow me to project my sounds in a
more realistic and believable way such
as being able to create the illusion of
depth such as in a car with people
talking behind.
Direct Audio (Pulse Code
Modulation – PCM)
Pulse-code modulation is a method used to digitally represent
sampled analog signals. It is the standard form of digital audio in
computers, Compact Discs, digital telephony and other digital audio
applications. In a PCM stream, the amplitude of the analog signal is
sampled regularly at uniform intervals, and each sample is quantized
to the nearest value within a range of digital steps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-code_modulation
This is relevant to my work as all my
work so far has been in a digital format
and would allow me to take my sounds
and place them onto a CD for later use.
AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEMS Analogue Refers to recording audio in a format of continuous vibrations that
are analogous to the original sound waves. Before audio recording
became digital, sounds were "carved" into vinyl records or written to
tape as magnetic waveforms.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/analog+sound
This is relevant to my work as I have
recorded analogue sounds in my field
recordings that are picked up by the
microphone and converted and save
into a digital format for editing later.
Digital Mini Disc A compact digital audio disc from Sony that comes in read-only and I have not used this so far within my

4. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
4
rewritable versions.MD discs store disc and track titles displayed by
the player. Used for music recording, rewritable MiniDiscs employ
magneto-optic technology and come in 60 and 74-minute cartridges.
http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/47064/minidisc
work however I can see how this may be
useful to me. It could possibly be used
for transferring sounds onto for easy
transportation or to create exact copies
of the sound.
Compact Disc (CD) a compact disc is a polycarbonate with one or more metal layers
capable of storing digital information. The most prevalent types of
compact discs are those used by the music industry to store digital
recordings and CD-ROMs used to store computer data. Both of these
types of compact disc are read-only, which means that once the data
has been recorded onto them, they can only be read, or played.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/compact_disc.html
I have not used this so far within my
work however I can see how this may be
useful to me. It could possibly be used
for transferring sounds onto for easy
transportation or to create exact copies
of the sound.
Digital Audio Tape (DAT) A signal recording and playback medium developed by Sony and
introduced in 1987.the recording is digital rather than analog. DAT
has the ability to record at higher, equal or lower sampling rates than
a CD (48, 44.1 or 32 kHz sampling rate respectively) at 16 bits
quantization. If a digital source is copied then the DAT will produce
an exact clone, unlike other digital media such as Digital Compact
Cassette or non-Hi-MD MiniDisc, both of which use a lossy data
reduction system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Audio_Tape
I have not used this so far within my
work however I can see how this may be
useful to me. It could possibly be used
for transferring sounds onto for easy
transportation or to create exact copies
of the sound. Although it is now an
obsolete form of storage.
MIDI is a technical standard that describes a protocol, digital interface and
connectors and allows a wide variety of electronic musical
instruments, computers and other related devices to connect and
communicate with one another.[1] A single MIDI link can carry up to
sixteen channels of information, each of which can be routed to a
separate device.
http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~nd/surprise_97/journal/vol1/aps2/
I have used MIDI to create sound effects
within my work projects on many
occasions for the majority through a
digital interface. This is relevant as it
allows me to create musical
compositions for example without
having to have those instruments.
Software Sequencers A music sequencer (or simply sequencer) is a device or application
software that can record, edit, or play back music, by handling note
and performance information in several forms, typically MIDI or
CV/Gate, and possibly audio and automation data for DAWs and
plug-ins.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_sequencer#Software_sequencers
I have used this for all of my sound
productions so far through the Cockos
Reaper sound editing software.
Software Plug-ins An audio plug-in, in computer software, is a plug-in that can add or
enhance audio-related functionality in a computer program. Such
I have used many software plugins for
my work and they are very relevant to

5. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
IG2 Task 1
5
functionality may include digital signal processing or sound synthesis.
Audio plug-ins usually provide their own user interface, which often
contains GUI widgets that can be used to control and visualise the
plug-in's audio parameters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_plugin
my work. They have allowed my to
manipulate sounds with different
effects such as being able to make a
sound seem more distant or adding an
echo effect.
MIDI Keyboard Instruments A MIDI keyboard is typically a piano-style user interface keyboard
device used for sending MIDI signals or commands over a USB or
MIDI cable to other devices connected and operating on the same
MIDI protocol interface. This could also be a personal computer
running software such as a digital audio workstation (DAW) that
listens to and sends MIDI information to other MIDI devices
connected by cable or running internal to the personal computer
system. The basic MIDI keyboard does not produce sound. Instead,
MIDI information is sent to an electronic module capable of
reproducing an array of digital sounds or samples that resemble
traditional analog musical instruments. These samples or waveforms
are also referred to as voices or timbres.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_keyboard
I have not used a physical MIDI
keyboard so far within my work
however I can see how it may be useful
to me rather than the MIDI keyboards I
have used through a graphical user
interface. It would allow me to work
quicker and more efficiently and more
naturally.
AUDIO SAMPLING File Size Constraints - Bit-depth In digital audio using pulse-code modulation (PCM), bit depth is the
number of bits of information in each sample, and it directly
corresponds to the resolution of each sample. Examples of bit depth
include Compact Disc Digital Audio, which uses 16 bits per sample,
and DVD-Audio and Blu-ray Disc which can support up to 24 bits per
sample.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_bit_depth
My sound projects have all been in a bit
depth of 16 making this very relevant to
my work. It determines some of the
quality of my sounds along with the
amount of devices that are compatible
with this property.
File Size Constraints - Sample
Rate
Sample rate is the 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.
Bandwidth is the difference between the highest and lowest
frequencies carried in an audio stream.
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Sample_Rates
This is relevant to my work as it
determines how my sounds come
across. A low sample rate in my work
would not allow as many sounds to be
played simultaneously.