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In this assessment you will create a Word document comprising of your own words (approximately 800) and photo’s/images copied from the internet (where appropriate) that demonstrates your level of understanding of the following topics:
Task 1 (AC1)
? What is meant by ADC & DAC?
? What roles do the ADC & DAC play in audio production?
? How does ‘sampling rate’ affect the quality of recorded audio?
? How does ‘bit depth’ affect the quality of recorded audio?
Task 2 (AC2)
? How does the iMac differ from the Atari ST?
? What are the system requirements for Pro Tools11 to run on a Mac?
? What are the system requirements for Logic X to run on a Mac?
Task 3 (AC3)
? What audio editing facilities have you used in Logic X?
? How do these compare to ProTools?
Task 4 (AC4)
? What file formats are commonly used for audio production?
? How does audio quality affect file size?
? Explain the functions of an audio interface.
Principles of Digital Audio
What is meant by ADC & DAC?
In today’s world ADC and DAC are very important components of electronic equipment.
DAC refers to Digital to Analog Converter and is a device that converts processed digital signals into the analog signals that are used by the audio output equipment like speakers. While Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) is a device that converts analog signals (current, voltage etc.) into binary digital code. In real world, mostly the signals that we sense and process are analog signals and these are converted into digital data to be processed by the computers for various purposes.
What roles do the ADC & DAC play in audio production?
Both ADC and DAC form an interface that has a crucial role to play in the audio production in studios or anywhere else for that matter. This digital audio interface converts binary information into the audible information so that we can hear it and this interface can also do the reverse by taking audible information and translating it into binary information. This quality makes it essential for the music producers because they can greatly expand the possibilities in the recording set up.
How does ‘sampling rate’ affect the quality of recorded audio?
The ‘sampling rate’ determines the quality or accuracy of a digital recording. The sampling rate refers to the number of samples per unit time taken from a continuous signal to convert it into a digital signal. So, the sampling rate helps in the perfect construction of the audio signal with a minimum sampling rate of 40kHz.
How does ‘bit depth’ affect the quality of recorded audio?
The ‘bit depth’ refers the number of bits of information recorded for each sample. For example 24bit or 36bit represent the resolution as to how many dots will create a curve or waveform. Therefore, the more number of bit means that the more accurate the curve is and hence the more accurate the sound will be. This is how it affects the quality of sound.
How does the iMac differ from the Atari ST?
The iMac is a series of all-in-one Macintosh desktop computers that are exclusively designed and manufactured by Apple Inc. by the name of Macintosh operating systems. Presently, Apple iMac constitutes either an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor. While, the Atari ST series of computers from Atari Corporation and were created with a purpose to emulate a Macintosh as it was of the interest for Mac lovers.
What are the system requirements for Pro Tools11 to run on a Mac?
For the Pro Tools 11.0, the system requirements are as follows:
Computer: Avid-qualified Apple computers
Total System RAM: 4GB minimum, 8GB required for video playback
And the requirements in terms of compatibility, the iMAC should have the following:
Yosemite 10.10, 10.10.1
Mavericks 10.9.5
Mountain Lion 10.8.5
What are the system requirements for Logic X to run on a Mac?
System Profile Your Computer Minimum Requirements
Operating System: Turn on Mac Match OS X v10.8.4 or later
Processor: Turn on Mac Match Intel Core 2 Duo
Number of cores: Turn on Mac Match 2
Processor Speed: Turn on Mac Match 2 GHz
Memory: Turn on Mac Match 4 GB
Hard Disk Space: Turn on Mac Match 5 GB
Video Card Turn on Mac Match Any with 256 MB of Video Memory
Table 1. System requirements for LogicX
Other Requirements
Display with 1280-by-768 resolution or higher
Requires 64-bit Audio Units plug-ins
35GB of optional content available via in-app download.
What audio editing facilities have you used in Logic X?
As a perfect digital tool for music producer, the most significant feature of LogicX is its highest quality digital audio and it provides an extensive range of tools in order to edit the recording. The different facilities provided by it are – Record, Program, Edit MIDI data, LogicX mixer with the built-in audio effect plug-ins and the music is ready to be released in iTunes, Spotify or YouTube.
How do these compare to ProTools?
The features of both the tools have a lot in common, but Logic has better soft instruments with new drummer and really good synths as well as they handle MIDI best. Whereas, the ProTools has a nice ecosystem and good availability of hardware. With ProTools we can buy a 24 track mixing desk. Also, ProTools are just what the most studios primarily use.
What file formats are commonly used for audio production?
Uncompressed formats – AIFF and WAV, (WAV is more widely used)
Compressed formats – MP3 and OGG.
FLAC for personal music collections.
Basically these formats are used for Audio production
How does audio quality affect file size?
The main aim of an audio file format is to store audio. So, various audio file formats help in encoding the audio data in various ways. So, if more data is compresses in a file, the audio information will be reduced.
Explain the functions of an audio interface.
In most simple terms, an audio interface helps in upgrading the sound output of the computer. The different inputs and outputs in audio interface helps producing and managing the music as well as its gives the flexibility for DJing.
(2016). Retrieved 31 March 2016, from https://www.gameagent.com/games/logic-pro-x
(2016). Avid.force.com. Retrieved 31 March 2016, from http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/compatibility/What-are-the-system-requirements-for-Pro-Tools-with-S3L
ADC and DAC. Macao.communications.museum. Retrieved 31 March 2016, from http://macao.communications.museum/eng/exhibition/secondfloor/MoreInfo/ADConverter.html