Desktop Audio Technology: Digital Audio and MIDI Principles

ISBN-13: 9780240519197 / Angielski / Miękka / 2003 / 288 str.

Francis Rumsey

Opis

In this introduction to the technology behind audio workstations, Francis Rumsey explains not only how digital audio works but also how to make the best use of its capabilities. It covers developments such as surround sound formats and direct stream digital.

Recenzje

Published reviews (of 'MIDI Systems and Control'):

'Superb ... we thoroughly recommend it. It should prove a valuable addition to any musician's library, be they beginner or seasoned midiphile'
Sound on Sound

'Invaluable to the engineer.'
Studio Sound

'A very readable and not overly technical exposition of this fascinating subject.'
Line Up

'Invaluable for reference to any student of audio engineering or of music technology.'
Image Technology

'Very strongly recommended.'
Musicus

Spis treści

1. Introduction to audio technology for computers:
About this book; Audio workstations; Audio and the computer industry; Audio and quality;

2. Digital audio principles:
Analogue and digital information; Binary number systems; Basic A/D and D/A conversion of control information; A/D conversion of audio signals;
D/A conversion; Sound quality versus sample rates and resolutions; Direct Stream Digital (DSD); Changing the resolution of an audio signal(requantisation); Dynamic range enhancement;
Error correction; Introduction to digital audio signal processing; Audio data reduction;
Further reading;

3. Recording, replay and editing principles:
The sound file; RAM buffering; Disk drive performance issues; Allocation units or transfer blocks; Multichannel recording and replay; System latency; Principles of audio editing;

4. MIDI and synthetic audio control:
Background; What is MIDI?; MIDI and digital audio contrasted; Basic MIDI principles; MIDI messages in detail; MIDI control of sound generators; MIDI tuning control; General MIDI; Scalable polyphonic MIDI (SPMIDI); Standard MIDI files (SMF); Downloadable sounds (DLS) and Soundfonts; RMID and XMF files; SAOL and SASL in MPEG 4 Structured Audio; MIDI and synchronisation; MIDI machine control (MMC); MIDI over USB; MIDI over IEEE 1394; After MIDI?; Further reading; Web sites;

5. Hardware and systems issues
Storage media; Peripheral interfaces; Filing systems and volume partitions; Formatting, fragmentation and optimisation of media; Audio processing and synthesis hardware; External synchronisation interfaces; User interfaces;
Serial control interfaces; Drivers and audio I/O software; Further reading; Useful websites;

6. Audio formats and data interchange:
Audio file formats; Disk pre-mastering formats; Interconnecting audio devices; Computer networks and digital audio interfaces compared; Dedicated audio interface formats; Networking; Streaming audio over computer interfaces; Digital content protection;

7. Audio software:
Sequencers; Plug-in architectures; Virtual instruments; Librarians and editors; Audio editing and post-production software; Mastering and restoration software; Advanced audio processing software and development tools; Computer music software; Further reading;

8. Operational and systems issues:
Level control and metering; Spatial reproduction formats; Controlling and maintaining sound quality; Preparing for and understanding release media; Synchronisation; System troubleshooting; Further reading

O autorze

Professor of Sound Recording at the University of Surrey (UK) and a Visiting Professor at the School of Music in Piteå (Sweden). Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society and a regular contributor to the AES Journal.