Sound and Music for Games: The Basics of Digital Audio for Video Games

ISBN-13: 9781484286609 / Angielski / Miękka / 2022

Robert Ciesla

Opis

Grasp the fundamentals of digital audio work in the context of video games, including the basics of middleware such as Fmod and Wwise. We will review software such as Apple's Logic and Garageband, Paul Davis's Ardour, and many other popular digital audio workstations.We will start with an introduction to the basic terminology of digital audio work while also getting acquainted with current generation audio hardware. We will then discuss the basics of the venerable Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) and how it relates to music composition as well as the tools and techniques for writing tracker music/chiptunes. The book also covers plug-in software, soundproofing at home, and voice work.The book takes a practical approach while tackling both hardware and software components used in cutting edge audio engineering, composition, and audio monitoring.  What You Will Learn• Understand the fundamentals of digital audio production in the context of video games• Learn about audio integration with popular middleware solutions and APIs• Leverage plugin effects software to sculpt your audio to professional levels• Identify modern audio file formats and how and when to use them• Learn best practices when mixing sound effects and music for video games Who Is This Book ForThe intended readership includes beginners in digital audio engineering who use Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Spis treści

Chapter 1:  Bits, Sample Rates, and Other Fundamentals of Digital Audio

Sub -Topics

Main concepts

Characteristics

Limitations of digital audio

Chapter 2:  Current Generation Audio Hardware

Sub - Topics

Audio interfaces

Keyboards

Speakers

Headphones

Chapter 3: Common Digital Audio Workstations

Sub - Topics:  

Free and commercial DAWs for Windows, MacOS, Linux

Chapter 4: Manipulating the Spectrum - Audio Effects

Sub - Topics: 

Basics of compression, EQ, and other widely used audio effects

Recommended free and commercial software plugins

Chapter 5: Voiceover Work: Hardware and Techniques

Sub - Topics: 

Microphones

Sound isolation elements,

Numerous techniques for clear voice capture

Chapter 6: MIDI and Composing in the Digital Age

Sub - Topics: 

Composition software for Windows, MacOS, and Linux (incl. Garageband, Logic Pro, and Reaper)

Chapter 7: Introducing MIDI 2.0

Sub - Topics: 

Specifics on the new MIDI-implementation introduced in 2020

Chapter 8: The Allure of Chiptunes 

Sub - Topics: 

An overview of the chiptune-genre

Modern software for working with chiptunes

Chapter 9: Popular Audio Solutions for Video Games 

Sub - Topics: 

Overviews of current software solutions for audio integration (incl. middleware like Wwise and Fmod)

Chapter 10: Selling and Licensing

Sub - Topics: 

An in-depth look at the current music licensing services and options

O autorze

Robert Ciesla is a freelance writer from Helsinki, Finland. He has a BA in Journalism, an MA in Intercultural Encounters, and a knack for writing urban fiction and directing short films. Robert is the author of four non-fiction books. He has a strong background in audio engineering for bands and video games (starting from tracker/chiptune music in the 16-bit era of the 1990s at age 12).

Blurb

Grasp the fundamentals of digital audio work in the context of video games, including the basics of middleware such as Fmod and Wwise. We will review software such as Apple's Logic and Garageband, Paul Davis's Ardour, and many other popular digital audio workstations.

We will start with an introduction to the basic terminology of digital audio work while also getting acquainted with current generation audio hardware. We will then discuss the basics of the venerable Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) and how it relates to music composition as well as the tools and techniques for writing tracker music/chiptunes. The book also covers plug-in software, soundproofing at home, and voice work.

The book takes a practical approach while tackling both hardware and software components used in cutting edge audio engineering, composition, and audio monitoring. 

 

What You Will Learn

• Understand the fundamentals of digital audio production in the context of video games

• Learn about audio integration with popular middleware solutions and APIs

• Leverage plugin effects software to sculpt your audio to professional levels

• Identify modern audio file formats and how and when to use them

• Learn best practices when mixing sound effects and music for video games