Audio Engineer's Reference Book, 2nd Edition

Audio Engineer's Reference Book, 2nd Edition

by Michael Talbot-Smith
Released November 2012
Publisher(s): Focal Press
ISBN: 9781136116216

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Book description

The Audio Engineer's Reference Book is an authoritative volume on all aspects of audio engineering and technology including basic mathematics and formulae, acoustics and psychoacoustics, microphones, loudspeakers and studio installations. The content is concise and accurate, providing quick and easy access to everything you will need to know, from basic formulae to practical explanations and operational detail.


Compiled by an international team of experts, this second edition has been updated to keep abreast of fast-moving areas such as digital audio and transmission technology. Much of the material has been revised, updated and expanded to cover the very latest techniques. For professionals engaged in the design, manufacture and installation of all types of audio equipment, this reference book will prove an invaluable resource. It will also be of interest to anyone employed in recording, broadcasting or audio-visual units in industry, and students on university courses.

Michael Talbot-Smith is a freelance audio consultant and writer who, for many years, trained audio engineers at BBC Wood Norton. He is also the author of Sound Assistance and Audio Explained, and is the editor of Sound Engineer's Pocketbook.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Halftitle
  3. Title
  4. Copyright
  5. Contents
  6. Preface to first edition
  7. Preface to second edition
  8. List of contributors
  9. 1 Basic Principles
    1. 1.1 Mathematics, formulae and equations
    2. 1.2 Units used in audio engineering
    3. 1.3 The physics of sound waves
    4. 1.4 The hearing process
    5. 1.5 Perceptual audio coding
    6. 1.6 Noise measurement
    7. 1.7 Electromechanical analogies
    8. 1.8 Introduction to digital audio
  10. 2 Acoustics and acoustic devices
    1. 2.1 Room acoustics
    2. 2.2 Sound isolation and noise control
    3. 2.3 Microphones
    4. 2.4 Loudspeakers and headphones
    5. 2.5 Stereo
    6. 2.6 Microphones for stereo
    7. 2.7 Analogue sound mixing equipment
    8. 2.8 Power amplifiers, control units and preamplifiers
    9. 2.9 Limiters and compressors
  11. 3 Recording and reproduction
    1. 3.1 Analogue tape recording
    2. 3.2 Noise reduction systems
    3. 3.3 Compact disc
    4. 3.4 Digital audio tape
    5. 3.5 Audio editing
    6. 3.6 Audio measurements and test equipment
  12. 4 Digital equipment
    1. 4.1 Artificial reverberation devices
    2. 4.2 Digital mixing and filtering
    3. 4.3 MIDI
  13. 5 Studios and their facilities
    1. 5.1 Radio studio facilities
    2. 5.2 Facilities required in recording studios
    3. 5.3 Facilities required in television sound control rooms
    4. 5.4 Studio installations for local radio
    5. 5.5 Outside broadcast and mobile equipment and operations
    6. 5.6 The tapeless studio
    7. 5.7 Studio air-conditioning systems
  14. 6 Distribution of audio signals
    1. 6.1 Telephony
    2. 6.2 Telephony transmission systems
    3. 6.3 Radio propagation
    4. 6.4 Transmission developments: NICAM and RDS
    5. 6.5 Digital audio interfacing, synchronization and networks
  15. 7 Miscellaneous topics
    1. 7.1 Ultrasonics
    2. 7.2 International standards for sound systems and equipment
    3. 7.3 Digital time signals
    4. 7.4 Health and safety
    5. 7.5 Portable appliance testing
  16. Index

Product information

  • Title: Audio Engineer's Reference Book, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): Michael Talbot-Smith
  • Release date: November 2012
  • Publisher(s): Focal Press
  • ISBN: 9781136116216