Sound and Recording, 6th Edition

Sound and Recording, 6th Edition

by Francis Rumsey, Tim Mccormick
Released September 2012
Publisher(s): Focal Press
ISBN: 9781136121739

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Book description

This best-selling book introduces you to the principles of sound, perception, audio technology and systems. Whilst offering vital reading for audio students and trainee engineers, this guide is ideal for anyone concerned with audio, sound and recording, beginners and professionals alike.

This new edition is bang up to date, with a new chapter on sound quality, expanded information on sequecing, rewire and digital audio synchonisation, pitch correction and blue ray disk.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Halftitle
  3. Title
  4. Copyright
  5. Contents
  6. Fact File Directory
  7. Preface to the Second Edition
  8. Preface to the Third Edition
  9. Preface to the Fourth Edition
  10. Preface to the Fifth Edition
  11. Preface to the Sixth Edition
  12. Chapter 1 What is Sound?
    1. A Vibrating Source
    2. Characteristics of a Sound Wave
    3. How Sound Travels in Air
    4. Simple and Complex Sounds
    5. Frequency Spectra of Repetitive Sounds
    6. Frequency Spectra of Non-repetitive Sounds
    7. Phase
    8. Sound in Electrical Form
    9. Displaying the Characteristics of a Sound Wave
    10. The Decibel
    11. Sound Power and Sound Pressure
    12. Free and Reverberant Fields
    13. Standing Waves
    14. Recommended Further Reading
  13. Chapter 2 Auditory Perception
    1. The Hearing Mechanism
    2. Frequency Perception
    3. Loudness Perception
    4. Practical Implications of Equal-loudness Contours
    5. Spatial Perception
    6. Recommended Further Reading
    7. Recommended Listening
  14. Chapter 3 Microphones
    1. The Moving-coil or Dynamic Microphone
    2. The Ribbon Microphone
    3. The Capacitor or Condenser Microphone
    4. Directional Responses and Polar Diagrams
    5. Specialized Microphone Types
    6. Switchable Polar Patterns
    7. Stereo Microphones
    8. Microphone Performance
    9. Microphone Powering Options
    10. Radio Microphones
    11. Recommended Further Reading
  15. Chapter 4 Loudspeakers
    1. The Moving-coil Loudspeaker
    2. Other Loudspeaker Types
    3. Mounting and Loading Drive Units
    4. Complete Loudspeaker Systems
    5. Active Loudspeakers
    6. Subwoofers
    7. Loudspeaker Performance
    8. Setting up Loudspeakers
    9. Thiele–Small Parameters and Enclosure Volume Calculations
    10. Digital Signal Processing in Loudspeakers
    11. Recommended Further Reading
  16. Chapter 5 Mixers
    1. A Simple Six-channel Analog Mixer
    2. A Multitrack Mixer
    3. Channel Grouping
    4. An Overview of Typical Mixer Facilities
    5. EQ Explained
    6. Stereo Line Input Modules
    7. Dedicated Monitor Mixer
    8. Technical Specifications
    9. Metering Systems
    10. Automation
    11. Digital Mixers
    12. Mixers with Integrated Control of Digital Workstations
    13. Introduction to Mixing Approaches
    14. Basic Operational Techniques
    15. Recommended Further Reading
  17. Chapter 6 Analog Recording
    1. A Short History of Analog Recording
    2. Magnetic Tape
    3. The Magnetic Recording Process
    4. The Tape Recorder
    5. Magnetic Recording Levels
    6. What are Test Tapes For?
    7. Tape Machine Alignment
    8. Mechanical Transport Functions
    9. The Compact Cassette
    10. Recommended Further Reading
  18. Chapter 7 Noise Reduction
    1. Why is Noise Reduction Required?
    2. Methods of Reducing Noise
    3. Line-up of Noise Reduction Systems
    4. Single-ended Noise Reduction
    5. Recommended Further Reading
  19. Chapter 8 Digital Audio Principles
    1. Digital and Analog Recording Contrasted
    2. Binary for Beginners
    3. The Digital Audio Signal Chain
    4. Analog-to-Digital Conversion
    5. D/A Conversion
    6. Direct Stream Digital (DSD)
    7. Changing the Resolution of an Audio Signal (Requantization)
    8. Introduction to Digital Signal Processing
    9. Pitch Shifting and Time Stretching
    10. Audio Data Reduction
    11. Recommended Further Reading
  20. Chapter 9 Digital Recording, Editing and Mastering Systems
    1. Digital Tape Recording
    2. Mass Storage-based Systems
    3. Audio Processing for Computer Workstations
    4. Mass Storage-based Editing System Principles
    5. Editing Software
    6. Mastering and Restoration
    7. Preparing for and Understanding Release Media
    8. Recommended Further Reading
  21. Chapter 10 Digital Audio Formats and Interchange
    1. Audio File Formats for Digital Workstations
    2. Consumer Optical Disk Formats
    3. Interconnecting Digital Audio Devices
    4. Recommended Further Reading
    5. Websites
  22. Chapter 11 Power Amplifiers
    1. Domestic Power Amplifiers
    2. Professional Amplifier Facilities
    3. Specifications
    4. Coupling
  23. Chapter 12 Lines and Interconnection
    1. Transformers
    2. Unbalanced Lines
    3. Cable Effects with Unbalanced Lines
    4. Balanced Lines
    5. Working with Balanced Lines
    6. Star-quad Cable
    7. Electronic Balancing
    8. 100 Volt Lines
    9. 600 Ohms
    10. DI Boxes
    11. Splitter Boxes
    12. Jackfields (Patchbays)
    13. Distribution Amplifiers
  24. Chapter 13 Plug-ins and Outboard Equipment
    1. Plug-ins
    2. Outboard Equipment
    3. Connection of Outboard Devices
    4. Recommended Further Reading
  25. Chapter 14 MIDI and Synthetic Audio Control
    1. Background
    2. What is MIDI?
    3. MIDI and Digital Audio Contrasted
    4. Basic Principles
    5. Interfacing a Computer to a MIDI System
    6. How MIDI Control Works
    7. MIDI Control of Sound Generators
    8. General MIDI
    9. Scalable Polyphonic MIDI (SPMIDI)
    10. RMID and XMF Files
    11. SAOL and SASL in MPEG 4 Structured Audio
    12. MIDI over USB
    13. MIDI over IEEE 1394
    14. After MIDI?
    15. Sequencing Software
    16. Recommended Further Reading
    17. Websites
  26. Chapter 15 Synchronization
    1. SMPTE/EBU Timecode
    2. Recording Timecode
    3. Machine Synchronizers
    4. Digital Audio Synchronization
    5. MIDI and Synchronization
    6. Synchronizing Audio/MIDI Computer Applications
    7. Recommended Further Reading
  27. Chapter 16 Two-Channel Stereo
    1. Principles of Loudspeaker Stereo
    2. Principles of Binaural or Headphone Stereo
    3. Loudspeaker Stereo Over Headphones and Vice Versa
    4. Two-Channel Signal Formats
    5. Two-Channel Microphone Techniques
    6. Binaural Recording and ‘Dummy Head’ Techniques
    7. Spot microphones and Two-Channel Panning Laws
    8. Recommended Further Reading
  28. Chapter 17 Surround Sound
    1. Three-Channel (3-0) Stereo
    2. Four-Channel Surround (3-1 Stereo)
    3. 5.1-Channel Surround (3-2 Stereo)
    4. Other Multichannel Configurations
    5. Surround Sound Systems
    6. Matrixed Surround Sound Systems
    7. Digital Surround Sound Formats
    8. Ambisonics
    9. Surround Sound Monitoring
    10. Surround Sound Recording Techniques
    11. Multichannel Panning Techniques
    12. Recommended Further Reading
  29. Chapter 18 Sound Quality
    1. What is Sound Quality?
    2. Methods of Sound Quality Evaluation
    3. Aspects of Audio System Performance Affecting Sound Quality
    4. Recommended Further Reading
  30. Appendix Record Players
    1. Pickup Mechanics
    2. RIAA Equalization
    3. Cartridge Types
    4. Connecting Leads
    5. Arm Considerations
    6. Laser Pickups
    7. Recommended Further Reading
  31. Glossary of Terms
  32. General Further Reading
  33. Index

Product information

  • Title: Sound and Recording, 6th Edition
  • Author(s): Francis Rumsey, Tim Mccormick
  • Release date: September 2012
  • Publisher(s): Focal Press
  • ISBN: 9781136121739