Sound (Audio)
Session 3: Audio
(ICT and communication tech)
After this bog you should be able to:
Define analogue and digital sounds
Describe how music is created using MIDI
Describe how music is created using natural sound
Critically evaluate the use of MIDI and natural sound for creating music
Understand how to edit music tracks and apply filters
Understand how to mix multiple audio tracks
Analogue and Digital sound:
Too tired to read aren’t you, here you go 3 points only✌️
1-Analog audio: involves using a microphone to capture sound and convert it into electrical signals. These signals are then directly recorded onto master tapes (like cassettes) through a process called magnetization.
2-Digital audio:also starts by converting sound into an electrical analog signal. However, it extends the process by converting this analog signal into a digital signal—a series of numbers that digital software (like those in computers or MP3 players) can read and reproduce. This digital format can then be easily copied onto compact discs, hard drives, or uploaded online for widespread playback on digital audio systems.
3-Advice:Think of analog as capturing sound in a continuous wave, while digital captures it in discrete steps or bits, making it easier to store, copy, and share.
For nerds:
Digital sound:Discrete waveforms have only two values at any given moment, represented by a series of ones and zeros. The signal can be separated from noise, allowing repeaters to detect and correct errors. Digital sound provides clearer reproduction, especially at high frequencies, and is easier to edit, manipulate, and distribute. Each recorded signal can be reproduced at various resolutions for any sound system, but the sound quality largely depends on one key factor: its bandwidth, which is the difference between the upper and lower frequencies in a continuous frequency range.
People can hear sound frequencies as low as 20 Hz and as high as 20,000 Hz. The concept is simple — the greater the audio bandwidth from the original sound, the better the audio quality. It's similar to imaging: you can't enlarge a low-resolution image and expect to see high-quality details in the final result.
Analogue sound:Continuous waveforms vary continuously over time. An analog signal is represented by a voltage level that corresponds to physical measurements, using a continuous range of values to convey information, such as the human voice in air. Analog sound is prone to noise and distortion, making it difficult to separate the signal from noise. As a result, repeaters cannot be used with this type of sound.
Why do we use digital instead of analogue audio?
Digital audio is preferred over analog because it makes producing and consuming content more convenient. With digital audio, anyone with a laptop can create music, eliminating the need for expensive studio time. Additionally, smartphones provide access to a vast catalogue of music, podcasts, and entertainment, making digital audio easily accessible.
While analog audio, like cassettes, remains popular, most new recordings are done digitally. Although both formats are still used, fully analog recordings are rare today.
Which method to use and when?
We’ve looked at the good and bad sides of analog and digital audio. There’s no one “best” way to listen to music. Fans and collectors often like 100% analog audio because it has a warm, vintage sound that digital can’t fully copy.
But for storing music for a long time, sharing it easily, and listening anywhere, digital audio is the best. That’s why modern cars don’t have tape decks, and MP3 players are still more popular than Walkmans.
Do you know what MIDI is?
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard that lets electronic musical instruments, computers, and other devices communicate and sync. Instead of transmitting actual audio, it sends data about musical notes, timing, and control signals. This allows you to record, edit, and play back music without capturing audio. MIDI is essential in music production, performance, and composition.
How is music created using MIDI ?
Instead of transmitting actual audio, it sends data about musical notes, timing, and control signals. This allows you to record, edit, and play back music using MIDI data without capturing the audio itself. MIDI is commonly used in music production, performance, and composition, making it an essential tool for musicians and producers.
Here’s how music is created using MIDI:
In 3 steps if u don’t have time to read👌
1-Input Devices
Musicians use different input devices to send MIDI data, such as:
MIDI Keyboards: Standard piano-style keyboards that send MIDI signals when keys are pressed.
MIDI Controllers: Devices with knobs, pads, or sliders to control various parameters.
Guitar MIDI Pickups: Convert guitar playing into MIDI data.
2-MIDI Data
When a note is played on a MIDI device, it sends specific data, including:
Note On/Off Messages: Indicates when a note is played or released.
Velocity: The speed at which a note is played, affecting its loudness.
Control Change Messages: Adjust parameters like volume, modulation, and effects.
3. Software and DAWs
Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio are used to record, edit, and produce music. MIDI data is displayed as a piano roll or in a notation view,
where users can:
Edit Notes: Change pitch, length, and timing.
Quantize: Snap notes to a grid for tighter timing.
Arrange: Organize MIDI tracks into a full composition.
THANKS FOR READING😊
CREDIT BY: Seif Khaled and Malek Mohamed.
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