U2 L1: Audio Production: Basic Tools And Techniques

Question 1

Who are Sound Engineering Technicians?

Answer 1

Professionals who work in audio facilities to do mix-downs, mastering and other sound techniques

Question 2

What are Digital Audio Workstations? (DAW)

Answer 2

Portable studios, operated by a software, used to record and create music

Question 3

What is Direct Sound?

Answer 3

Sound that comes from the source (production sound, person near you)

Question 4

What is Reflected Sound?

Answer 4

• Sound that bounces off surfaces

- More complex than direct sound because surfaces are at different distances

Question 5

What are ‘live’ materials?

Answer 5

Materials on which sound bounces off (metal, stone, glass)

Question 6

What are ‘not live’ materials?

Answer 6

Materials that absorb and deaden sound (carpet, padded furniture, draperies)

Question 7

What is Production Sound?

Answer 7

Sound that is recorded on the location of filming

Question 8

What is a Locked Picture?

Answer 8

The stage where the movie is fixed and the director and producer no longer intends to make any changes

Question 9

What does Mixing mean?

Answer 9

When an editor blends all clips to create a balanced sound experience

Question 10

What is a Program Timeline?

Answer 10

In a software, shows all editing decisions made in chronological order

Question 11

What does a Location Recordist/ Production Mixer do?

Answer 11

• Records clear dialogue on a set location
• Captures little background noise
• Captures room tone and sounds specific to the location for the editor in post-production

Question 12

What does a Boom Operator do?

Answer 12

• Uses a boom microphone to record dialogue

- Needs to be as close as possible without appearing in frame

Question 13

What is Room Tone?

Answer 13

Sound in a location when no one is talking

Question 14

What do Live Sound Engineers do?

Answer 14

Controls sound at live events (concerts, theater)

Question 15

What is Sound Design?

Answer 15

The setting up of equipment to capture music

Question 16

What is a PA?

Answer 16

• Public Adress

- System only makes sounds louder

Question 17

What is Sound Reinforcement?

Answer 17

Designing the sound design so it is evenly distributed to the audience

Question 18

What are the two main ways to set up speakers for events?

Answer 18

Directional Installation and Non-Directional Installation

Question 19

What is Directional Installation?

Answer 19

• Setting up speakers so that they are facing the same direction
• Listeners will hear sound coming from one direction

Question 20

What is Non-Directional Installation?

Answer 20

Setting up speakers so that sound-pressure is equally distributed

Question 21

What are Supplementary Speakers used for?

Answer 21

• Speakers to fill in gaps where primary speakers do not reach
• Used in large spaces that are reverberant (echo effect)

Question 22

What is SPL and what is it measured on?

Answer 22

Sound-pressure level and is measured in Decibels (dB)

Question 23

For a PA announcement how high should the SPL be?

Answer 23

6 dB higher than the ambient noise

Question 24

If there is background music playing during a PA announcement, how high should the SPL be?

Answer 24

3 dB higher than the background music

Question 25

How does CEILING height affect the sound coverage of a speaker?

Answer 25

Low - less coverage, needs more speakers
High - more coverage, but higher output level needed

Height of the listener is also important

Question 26

How should speakers be mounted on a wall?

Answer 26

best height and angle

Question 27

For every doubling of the distance how much will the SPL decrease?

Answer 27

6dB

Question 28

What is attenuation?

Answer 28

reduction of sound

Question 29

What is the maximum sound level a person can handle?

Answer 29

120 dB

Question 30

What are Line Arrays?

Answer 30

Narrow and vertical speakers in front of a stage

Question 31

What are the four main components with which Technicians and Engineers set up sound systems?

Answer 31

Input Transduction Devices
Mixing/Effects and Processors
Amplification
Output/Speakers

IT MEP AM OS

Question 32

What do Input Transduction Devices do?

Answer 32

• Converts source sound into electrical signals to feed playback devices or a microphone
• Microphones and Audio Players

Question 33

What is the process through with Microphones convert acoustic sound to electrical signals?

Answer 33

• Sound waves
• Mic diaphragm vibrates
• Voice coil vibrates in a magnetic field with the microphone’s magnet
• Electrical signal

Question 34

What does the Mixing/Effects and Processors part of the chain do?

Answer 34

Takes Electrical signals, mixes the input sources and may add effects

Question 35

What does the Amplification part of the chain do?

Answer 35

• Increases the processed audio signals to a level that is suitable to power a speaker
• Two-channel amplifiers= 2 channels
• Multi-channel amplifiers= 4-8 channels

Question 36

What does the Output/Speakers part of the chain do?

Answer 36

Takes the amplified electrical signals and turns it back into acoustic sound

Question 37

What does a Recording Engineer do?

Answer 37

Operates equipment in a recording studio to capture and create sound for artists and producers for recording