Unit 73: Sound for Computer Games (P2 exercises)

Exercise 1:

The aims:

• Understand the methods and principles of sound design and production

Sound file formats:

Uncompressed: .wav .aiff .au .smp .voc

Lossy compression: .mp3 .ra .vox

This is a file format that is used for storing digital audio on a computer. There are different types of file formats and it also depends on what they are used for. The usage of these file formats can depend on the type of project you're working on.

For example; a mobile platform game wouldn't require uncompressed sound because the game wouldn't be that intense and the mobile platform may not even support it or even deal with it as well as a computer would. A mobile platform game would use files like .mp3 because it's small in file size

For example; if I was making a mobile game, it wouldn't be necessary for me to use uncompressed sound files, so the most suitable thing for this is to use compressed audio files such as .mp3 etc... 

For example; if I was making a console game, it would be necessary for me to use uncompressed sound files. The reason for this is to ensure that the person playing the game can experience good quality sound as well as the gameplay. The sound in a game is just as important as the graphics because the sound can tell the story of the game, make you feel what the characters are feeling etc... 


Audio sampling:

How can resolution and bit-depth constraint file size?
Well, the more content that is added to a file, the larger it gets. When the file size gets larger in size, it can tend to be more difficult to work with. 

Explain what the following words mean:

• Sample rate - The number of samples of audio carried per second. This is measured in Hz or kHz (1 kHz = 1,000 Hz)
• Mono - Sound is played through one audio channel, making the sound not so realistic
• Stereo - Sound is played through multiple audio channels, making it sound so realistic 
• Surround - Sound is played through multiple speakers that are placed around in the room to give it that three-dimensional effect 

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Exercise 2:

Audio Limitations of Games Platforms:

How can the following information limit the recording of sound?

• DSP (Digital Signal Processor) - This is called a microchip processor and the main purpose of this is to filter analogue signals. With this doing it's job, it can also reduce the quality of the sounds that have been filtered.
• RAM (Random Access Memory) - This is a vital piece of hardware, because this is where the sound is stored. Now, providing that you have enough RAM in your computer, saving audio files won't be an issue. 
• File format (eg .mp3, .wav, .aiff) - This all comes down to what file type you use for a project. For example; if you were to use the same sound and have them in both, .mp3 and .wav - you will find that the .wav file will be a higher quality sound than the .mp3, although the .wav file will be larger in size too. 

• Audio output - (e.g. Mono, Stereo, Surround)

Mono - This is a singular sound that is produced and intended to be heard as a single channel. 

Stereo - This can be heard as two channels. For example; some songs will use this. You may hear one part of a song through one speaker and a different part of a song through the other speaker. 

Surround - This is most likely found in cinemas or even at home if you have a 5.1 surround sound system or a 7.1 surround sound system. The whole idea of surround sound is to demonstrate a sense of a realism by having 5 or more speakers connected in different areas (front, back, sides, etc...) 

• PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) - This is another feature that is used for analogue signals. The purpose of this, is that it converts these analogue signals into digital signals. This is most likely found on computer systems, televisions and some other devices. 

Audio Recording Systems:
In what types of scenario may use the following audio recording equipment?:

For example; Multi-track recording, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), DAT (Digital Audio Tape), Analogue, Software Plug-ins, Software Sequencer

• Multi-track recording - This can be used for when putting a piece of music or song together. The reason for this is because it makes the editing process easier. For example; if you were to record everything all together on one track, the editing part becomes virtually and physically impossible. 

• MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) - Some musical instruments such as a keyboard; they come with a MIDI input which allows you to connect the instrument to a computer system and allows you manipulate the software to create realistic music. This can be used to make sound effects for a game or even music. 

• DAT (Digital Audio Tape) - This is a tape that was used for storing analogue sound. 
• Software Sequencer - This allows you to input into a computer by using an external musical instrument (such as a keyboard), and this lets you recreate music in any way without the use of a real instrument (whether if you don't know how to play a real instrument or don't own / can't afford one). There is a wide variety of software out there that you can use (some maybe free whereas others can cost as little as £30 and onwards to £200+)