Sound Design Midterm

The 4 Modes in Pro Tools

Shuffle, Slip, Spot, and Grid

The 7 Tools in Pro Tools

Select, Grab, Trim, Smart Tool, Zoom, Scrub, and Pencil.

Pro Tools Windows

Edit, Mix, and Score.

Destructive vs. Non-Destructive Editing

Destructive editing permanently alters the original audio file, while non-destructive editing allows changes to be made without affecting the original file.

What are film clappers used for?

Film clappers are used to synchronize audio and video during the editing process. They provide a visual and audible cue for aligning sound recordings with corresponding footage.

Various names for clappers

include slate, clapboard, and sound slate.

What can be done to reduce wind noise?

To reduce wind noise, use dead cats on microphones, position the mic away from the wind source, or employ directional microphones that focus on sound from specific angles.

What type of tape is used?

Gaffer tape

Single system vs Dual system sound recording

refers to the method of recording audio directly onto the camera's media (single system) versus recording audio separately on a different device (dual system), allowing for greater control and flexibility in post-production.

Common causes of problems when recording

include issues such as background noise, equipment malfunction, improper mic placement, and environmental factors that can affect sound quality. Batteries dying.

Dynamic Mic

Best for live events like concerts, durable (Like speakers in reverse)
When sound waves push the diaphragm, an electric signal is generated on the coil as it moves in the magnetic field

Condenser Mic

Better at reproducing the soft decays and subtle nuances of quieter sounds. Wide range frequency response

Shotgun Mic

A highly directional microphone designed to capture sound from a specific area while rejecting noise from the sides and rear, commonly used in film and television production.

Lavaliere Mic

A small, clip-on microphone used primarily in television, theater, and public speaking to capture the voice of the speaker discreetly while minimizing background noise.

Polar Patterns: Omnidirectional, Bidirectional (figure 8), Unidirectional (cardioid)

Omnidirectional picks up sound equally from all angles, bidirectional captures sound from the front and back, while unidirectional (cardioid) focuses on sound from one direction.

Phantom Power

A method of supplying power to condenser microphones through the microphone cable, allowing them to function without a separate power source.

Amplitude

The maximum extent of a sound wave's pressure variation, measured from the midpoint to its peak. It determines the loudness of the sound; greater amplitude results in higher volume.

Frequency

The number of cycles that a vibration completes in one second, measured in Hz.

Pitch

Highness or lowness of a sound
➤depends on frequency of sound wave
➤human range: 20 - 20,000 Hz

Octave

the interval between two pitches where one has a frequency that is double (or half) that of the other

Hertz

the number of sound wave cycles (or vibrations) that occur per second

Decibels

Intensity or loudness of sound

Human Hearing Hz Range

typically within the frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hertz

Sample Rate

how frequently the analog signal is measured
during the sampling process, The more frequently the signal is sampled, the better the approximation to the original sound

Nyquist Theorem

a signal must be sampled at least twice as fast as its highest frequency component

Bit Depth

the number of bits used to represent each individual audio sample

Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)

Converts an analog signal to a digital one.

Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)

Converts digital signals to analog ones.