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ways noise could be avoided whilst recording
turn off lights (humming from lights),
use a di box,
change angle of bass player,
balanced cables,
noiseless pickups,
shorter cable,
isolate power supply
how does the threshold effect the signal on a noise gate
higher the threshold, the more sound that is cut,noise/ sound is reduced below the threshold
explain the challenges of using noise gates on a instrument with a low frequency
if noise is low/ similar sound to bass a high threshold is required resulting in some of the bass being cut noise is still present whilst bass is playing so wont be cut
long attack = cut off start of note long release= leaves noise in short release = cut end of notes short attack/release = clicks
explain the challenges of using a noise gate on a vocal recording when trying to remove ambient noise
cut breaths
chattering gate
what type of midi messages are found in midi files
modulation
sustain/hold
pitchbend
tempo
time
sig
key
test event
track name
instrument name
end position
how does distortion affect dynamic range
reduces dynamic range
compresses dynamic range
define audio artefact
unwanted sonic material caused by editing/ digital process sound introduced that wasn’t in the original signal
how to reduce headphone spill whilst recording
turn down headphones
use close ear headphones
ensure headphones are a snug fit
use in ear monitors
how to find a frequency of a note an octave higher
frequency x 2
what type of microphone tends to have a high frequency response
condenser
how does a pronounced low frequency boost in a microphone effect vocals
proximity effect (closer the mic, louder the noise)
could warm up vocals
makes vocals sound boomy
how does the low frequency response in a mic tailing off effect vocals/the sound
reduced rumble
reduced plosives
vocals aren’t effect that much by the tailing as its below the range of vocals (the lows)
removes muddies
creates a HPF
how does an increased sensitivity in the upper mids/high frequency of a mic effect vocals
present peak adds brightness/clarity/air to the vocals
could increase sibilance
brings vocals forwards in the mix
lossy compression does what to some of the data
removes/ loses
how does lossy compression change the sound quaility of a file
reduces sound quailty
what a benefit of lossy compression
the file size is smaller than an uncompressed file
what sort of unwanted sounds can be introduced by data compression
artefacts distortion aliasing
how does a low noise floor of an audio file format effect the sound of audio (specifically noise)
noise is unnoticeable/inaudible
how does a reduction in volume at high frequencies (above 16kHz) effect the sound of audio
sounds dull/muffled
how does a flat/wide frequency response effect the sound of audio
sounds bright and true to the sound source as sound is present in the entire frequency spectrum (not just in human hearing)
how does a hpf on a guitar recording effect its sound
reduces hum/rumble/ proximity effect
reduces spill from bassey instruments
makes ‘space’ for kick/ bass
won’t negatively effect the guitar tone
how does a high mid boost effect the sound of a lead guitar recording
makes it sound brighter
helps lead guitar cut through the mix (especially if mirroring is used)
makes lead guitar a similar range to the lead vocals
how does a low q/ wide bandwith effect the sound from an eq when boosting a frequency (especially when the frequency boosted is in the mid-highs)
makes it sound more natural & less resonant
how does a mid high cut effect the sound of a rhythm guitar recording
makes it less harsh
makes space for lead guitar/ other instruments (especially if mirroring is used)
how does a threshold too high effect a noise gate
its too high therefore it will never ‘open’ resulting in no signal
how does a slow attack time effect a noise gate
transients / the beginning of notes could be cut
how does a slow release time effect a noise gate
some noise could remain ends of notes wont be cut off sounds more natural
how does a very short attack effect a noise gate
causes clicks
how does a very short release effect a noise gate
causes clicks
cuts off the end of notes
sounds unnatural
how can a long reverb time effect a mix
makes it sound clouding/ blurs the mix
how does reverb being after a noise gate in a signal chain effect the sound
the gate wont cut the reverb tails
why should a lead guitar be panned center
because its an important part/ one of the main focus(s) of a mix
describe the ASDR of a bass synth
short/ instantaneous attack
slight decay
flat sustain (equal in amplitude to decay)
instantaneous release
why cannot note velocities exceed 127
MIDI uses values of 0 - 127 because it is using 7-bits of data and when using 7-bits 127 is the maximum value you can use
what are some audible features of analogue tape
hiss sounds warm wow & flutter
what type of data compression is used in AAV files
Lossy compression
what advantages does AAC have over wav audio files
small file size quicker upload/download speed
how does a high ratio (compression )effect the sound of vocals
increased breath
increased reverb
increased hiss
increases avg vocals
increases RMS
vocals controls a wider dynamic range then pre compression
how does a high gain make up (compression )effect an audio file
compensates for high gain reduction therefore increasing the overall loudness of the compressed audio
how does a slow attack effect the sound of a compressed audio file
some transients aren’t fully controlled/ compressed
how does a fast release effect the sound of a compressed file
results in ‘pumping’
how does exposed walls, concrete surfaces, glass windows,ect (no acoustic treatment) for a drum room effect the sound of a drum recording
increased reverb
no diffusion of sound waves
how does an angled ceiling for a drum room effect help a recording
helps reduce standing waves
how does a drummer facing away from the control room window effect the recoding of a track
makes it difficult to communicte with engineer
how does a carpet in a recording room effect the sound of a recording
absorbs reflections
mostly absorbs high freq if its a thin carpet
what is the role of a distance room microphone
captures the reverb/ ambience of the room
what difference would a microphone in side a kick drum have with a microphone in front of the kit/toms, ect
there would be more reverb in front of the kit versus inside the kick
why should there be space between the microphone and a hi-hat
to avoid the proximity effect/ low frequency exaggeration
how does a soft, treated wall effect the sound of a drum recording
absorbs sound
absorbs mid and high freq
creates a ‘dead’ or dry recording
how does fewer microphones effect the mixing of a drum recording
less tracks
less control over balance
less control over EQ/ compression/ processing /fx on each drum
when using multiple microphones, on a drum what issues can occur and what can be done to solve it
phase issues
phase must be checked on all the microphones
can be solved by using the phase button on the desk or by moving the microphones
out of the 2 types of microphones, which has the better transient response
condenser
out of the 2 types of microphones which can cope with high SPL
dynamic microphone
what is SPL
sound pressure level expressed in dB
why is shock mount for a microphone important
reduces mechanically transmitted noise/rumble/ vibration
why are XLR/ balance cables important
they create less noise
why should you put a duvet inside the drum kick and gaff a tape on the skins of a drum
reduces resonance / sustain
how would a bass recording sound when played on a mobile phone speaker
it would sound tinny/thin/quiet
low freq wouldn’t be reproduced
mobile phone speakers are designed for mids/highs (human voice)
some mid/high frequencies would be reproduced
why would an envelope setting cause a click on a recoding
the release is too short therefore the waveform is cut mid cycle
why would a engineer compress vocals
to control the peaks
to keep volume constant
to increase avg RMS levels to help vocals sit in the mix
define RMS
measures the avg loudness of an audio track
what’s a disadvantage of compressing a vocal
increased noise
increased volume of breaths
more reverb
increased sibilance
how does a handheld microphone effect plosives
microphone can get right up against mouth
no pop-shield therefore plosives/ louder plosives
would a hand held microphone effect the low frequencies, if so why.
yes as bringing the microphone closer can result in the proximity effect therefore meaning lows are enhanced
how does a high shelf eq boost effect headphone spill
increases it as highs are louder/ more present
how does a high shelf eq boost effect a vocal recording with a handheld (dynamic )microphone
compensates for the lack of high frequencies in the dynamic microphone
makes it sound brighter/clearer/ airier
cuts through the mix
more sibilance is heard which could be reduced by de-esser
how does a conversion from ACC to Wav effect a audio file
sound quality remains the same
how is a compressor pedal being first in the chain effect a pedal board
prevents clipping on an EQ pedal adds sustain
how does a large low frequency boost effect the a funk bass guitar sound
makes bass boomy
could cause distortion
could mask kick drum
how does a high frequency cut effect the sound of a bass guitar
removes hiss
removes attack/ plucking sound
removes sound of the fretboard
makes the bass sound warm/muffled
adversely effects the timbre of a slab bass technique
in what circumstance would you use an EQ before a compressor
to ‘correct’ the sound of an instrument
in what circumstance would you use a compressor before an EQ
to ‘colour’ the sound and so the compressor isn’t influenced by any filtering done
define signal peak
a meter which shows the highest peak of an audio signal
define true peak
metering which takes into account the actual maximum audio signal that can occur when the audio signal is played back
describe the differences between tremolo, vibrato and chorus
tremolo is a fluctuation in volume
vibrato is a fluctuation in pitch
chorus copies the original sound multiple times and modulates the pitch + time of the copies slightly
what type of distortion does valve + valve pre-amps add
harmonic distortion
define pre-amp
an amplifier which converts a weak signal into an output signal strong enough to send to a power amplifier/ loudspeaker
what would a weak electrical signal sound like if it wasn’t put through a pre-amp
it would sound noisey /distorted
define harmonic distortion
the alteration of a signal by adding new frequencies relating to to the original one.
normally found in analog devices
what does harmonic distortion do
enhances the perceived loudness, richness + fullness of a sound
creates interesting effects and texture
how can you identify an unbalanced cable
only has 1 black ring/ only has 2 conductors
an unbalanced cable is prone to ___?
hum/noise
a short cable reduces ____?
hum/noise
how can you identify a balanced cable
has 3 conductors (including a ground wire) also carries 2 copies of the same incoming audio signal
what type of microphone diaphragm has a better transient response
small diaphragm
having a directional microphone too close to a bass/guitar amp results in what
proximity effect
define impedance
how hard it is for a signal to travel through a medium
define load impedance
connecting a device to the output of a functional block therefore drawing from it a measurable amount of current
define nyquist's theory
the sample rate must be more than twice the highest frequency in the signal.
what does MIDI stand for?
musical instrument digital interface
how many bytes of data is sent when you send a midi message
3 bytes
what is a byte
a small peice of binary code only 8 bits long
what is a bit
a 0/1 in binary code
when sending a midi message what does the first byte of data dictate
the type of message
when sending a midi messahe what does the 2nd and 3rd byte of data dictate
the parameters of the note/ type of message (info about the message)
what are the names for the 2nd and 3rd byte of a midi message
data 1 and data 2
name the types of messages send by midi (what the first byte can dictate)
note
note off
CC
Program change (prog change)
pitch bend
what does CC stand for (regarding midi messages)
continuious controller
why is pitch bend NOT a CC regarding midi messages
because if it was, the amount of pitch bend would only be between 0-127 so you would quite audiblity be able to hear the bend (it isn't smooth) thefore it needed it own midi message so the data 1 and data 2 could be MULTIPLIED together, resulting in more avaliable bending
what is program change (prog change )(regarding midi messages)
message used to specify the type of instrument which should be used to play sounds on a given Channel
Note 
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