Processes that Involve in producing sound and music
Process of in producing sound and music which consists of 4:-
² Sound Design Methodology
² Sound File Formats
² Audio Limitation
² Audio Recording System
Sound Design Methodology
For the design methodology will be talking about the application that can be use in order to record the sound and what type of software that can be use to edit the sounds. Therefore, to make it easy Table.1 below shows 2 categories that consists of what applications that can be use for recording and editing sounds.
Recording Software | Editing Software |
Audacity | Premiere Pro |
Premiere Pro | Final Cut |
Table 1
How to use the application in terms of recording?
Meanwhile, in terms of how to use it. First will be talking about how to use the Audacity application. In a short definition, audacity is one of the common and basic software that originally use for recording sound such as for podcast, recording sound effects, and much more. Therefore, in order to record using this application, first they need to open the application that shows on Fig.14 below the icon of Audacity.
After that, if they need to record their voice or record any sound, they need to click the red circle button like shows on Fig.14.1 below to start recording that label with red circle around.
While recording their will be line that moving left to right, that tell the user in terms of the high or volume of the sound, where also can be seen on the right top corner like shows on Fig.14.2 below that label with orange rectangle.
Furthermore, after finish recording they need to press the stop button, then automatically it shows the overall of time that been recorded. Example on Fig.11.2 above shows overall of time that been recorded, where been label by green rectangle. In addition, if done recording by clicking the file button that shows of Fig.14.3 below show, they can export the audio into several format file such as MP3, WAV, OGG and more.
As conclusion, that how the Audacity works, in order how to use it. Furthermore, the another application that can be use for recording is by using Premiere Pro. Example on Fig.15 below shows the icon of Premiere Pro CC 2019.
Figure 15
Before, talking about the how it use, first will be short definition of Premiere Pro. This application also one of the common software that usually use for editing video. However, this application also can be use to record sound or voice as well as editing it. Therefore, in order to record voice by using this software, they need to first to open and by clicking the new project, it will open empty project. That shows on Fig.15.1 below. If they need to record any sound, Premiere Pro will need footage that need to import to the timeline by drag and drop from the file, or else they can’t record sound using Premiere Pro.
Figure 15.1
Furthermore, after by clicking the microphone symbol on the timeline, that shows on Fig.15.2 below. The system will start recording by counting from 3, therefore the user can be ready from the count of 3. Therefore, its really simple steps in order to record sound by using Premiere Pro.
Meanwhile, in terms of the editing part. What software that can be use to editing sound or voice, therefore can be use for video games. The first one will be by using Premiere Pro as well. It might be little confusion but not to worry, to make it simple Premiere Pro not only can record sound but also can edit the sound as well. However, in order to edit the sound, they first need to select the audio and by clicking the effects control they can see all the volume where can control the loudness of the sound. Just like shows on Fig.16 below.
Figure 16
Furthermore, there also another ways to control sound such as by clicking the audio mixer where can been see on Fig.16.1, shows if they want to adjust in terms of which part of sound more louder such as more to Left or Right.
Figure 16.1
Another method will be by changing the Audio Gain. Therefore, in order to make this audio gain appear, they need to click right click and go to Audio Gain. This is where to adjust the loudness as well if the sound around negative number it will be less louder, while if its positive the sound is much louder. Which Fig.16.2 below shows the audio gain looks like.
Figure 16.2
By using this software also, the user can cut and delete the sound that they wanted by using Razors tools or by pressing “C” on the keypad like shows on Fig.16.3 below with blue label. This software can as well edit multiple or add multiple audio therefore, there can add sound effects as well as music background. That shows on Fig.16.2 above shows the example of multiple audio
In conclusion, that’s all about in terms of how to use Premiere Pro to edit sound in basic ways to know about Premiere Pro in terms of adjusting or editing the audio. If the user want to much more detail, Premiere Pro also have the effects in order to edit much more detail in terms of the pitch by dragging and drop to the selected audio from the effects section that been provided or by giving effects such as fade in and fade out effects.
In summaries here are some of the points from above in How to Premiere Pro use for editing sound:-
ü Can adjust the loudness
ü Can cut the audio
ü Have several effects that been provided to edit the sound
ü Edit multiple audio
The next software that also can be use to edit the audio is by using Final Cut. That Fig.17 above shows the logo of Final Cut. Which one of the software that only can be use by Apple MacBook user only. That means, not available for Windows. In short definition, Final Cut is the same like Premiere Pro where not only editing the sound but also editing for video as well. However, in terms of editing the sound the function of the Final Cut feature have the same. Such as :-
The Final Cut also can edit multiple audio inside, where the user can add more audio. The another features or ways the user also can adjust the loudness of the sound such as to make much louder or lower. This application also have several effects that can be use to edit the sound of the audio. Lastly, this software also can use key frame to the audio. Such as the user use key frame to make the audio from low volume to slowly increasing volume.
Therefore, here 2 of the example of Fig.17.1 shows the example of Final Cut that can edit multiple audio inside and Fig.17.2 shows the example of Final Cut that use in terms of adding effects. In conclusion, the different between Premiere Pro and Final Cut is in terms of computer user such as Premiere Pro use for Windows while Final Cut use for MacBook or Apple user only.
Figure 17.1
Figure 17.2
Sound file formats
For the next topic will be about the file formats of audio or sound. People mostly knows that one of the famous format of audio is MP3, but there also lots of different file format of audio. However, before talking about what others file format of audio. In order to understand the format, first need to know about the definition of Lossy and Lossless.
What is Lossy?
The definition of lossy is where the audio can be describe as audio or sound data that been compressed. Which means the audio format are been compressed from the original quality that makes the audio much smaller size. Example one of song original size is 20MB but because of Lossy Format it compress into 3MB. This is because of to store more song or more audio inside small amount of storage example in mobile phone, if lots of lossless format the storage will easily full and less people will buy the song or use the audio.
What is Lossless?
However, the another type of format is different. The definition of Lossless is where the audio original quality keep inside within the sound data and not loss single data form the original size. Such as 20MB audio and reduce the size number however, it will be the same amount of size from the original. This is usually use in a big project that create high type of quality in audio. Therefore, the reason why mostly game have large amount of storage due to the quality of sound as well.
Furthermore Table 2 below shows, the few sound file formats according to what type of formats that the file in.
Lossy | Lossless |
AAC | AIFF |
MP3 | FLAC |
Table 2
Therefore, the first one will be talk about file formats of Lossy that list down on the Table.2 above.
What is AAC?
AAC is stand for Advanced Audio Coding. This is one of the audio coding standard in terms of Lossy compression. That usually used in Apple user and any digital audio including computer. However, the audio data is compressed but it still one of the successor like MP3, where AAC is much higher quality of sound rather than MP3 while, both bit rate are the same. Therefore, the filename for this format are:- shows on Table.3 below the filename of this file format.
For MPEG/3GPP container | Apple container | ADTS stream |
.m4a | .aac | |
.mp4 | .m4b |
|
.3gp | .m4p | |
| .m4r | |
.m4v | ||
Table 3
What is MP3?
MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3 or know as MP3, is one of the sound format that compressing the sound into a very small amount of size data from the original size data. While maintaining the quality level from the original sound data. Therefore, this is also one of the famous and well-known file format that usually used for mobile phone. Due this format only used small size from the mobile phone such as 3MB, 4MB, 2MB and much more according to the songs or sounds that used. In addition, in terms of the filename, MP3 only have one name that is “.mp3”.
However, for the next category will be Lossless. Like mention on Table 2 above shows 2 file format that are AIFF and FLAC. Therefore, what are these two. First will explain about AIFF what the definition of AIFF.
What is AIFF?
AIFF is stand for Audio Interchange File Format, where used to store sound data in their personal devices such as computer, phone, and others electronic audio devices. This type of file format is lossless and also uncompressed which means the big file size however, not well-known by others. Furthermore, this format founded by Apple company which means this file format usually used for Apple user such as on their computer system (Apple Macintosh). While, in terms of the filename, this file format only have 3 filename that are “.aiff ", “.aif “ and “.aifc”.
What is FLAC?
Lastly, one of the Lossless file format is FLAC or Free Lossless Audio Codec. This type of file format is different to others lossless file format. Mostly lossless file format the file are uncompressed but FLAC the file is lossless compression. The reason that its called lossless compression because of this file can compress 50% to 70% from the original audio size but also can decompress it back to the original size or original data. Therefore, its called lossless compression and also the reason why its different from others lossless file format. Furthermore, for the filename extension of this file format only have 1, that is “.flac”. However, this file format can’t be use for Apple user, while others than that might support this file format.
In conclusion, how all those file relate to video game?, the answer is it really helps the game developer. This is because of by knowing all the file format, and which one are the best one for the video game the sound editor can easily pick or choice what type of format that they think the best inside the game. For example they want to create high quality game, therefore, the sound editors of the game might use Lossless file format that mostly are high quality type of audio, that helps the video to make more high quality game. Even though the audience might not care or notice the quality of sound but if the audience listen carefully they will know the different, and because of that the developer might win a award as the best sound award in video game due to the quality of the sound.
Audio Limitation
Figure 19
For the next topic will be about the audio limitation. Talking about audio limitation, the easiest way to explain is by comparing the two platform that have same genre type of video game. Therefore, the platform that will compare with is between PlayStation 1 (PS1) and PlayStation 4 (PS4), that shows on Fig.19 the picture of two platform. While the game that will be compare in terms of the audio will be Resident Evil 3 that played on PS1 and Outlast that played on PS4. Where, Fig.20 below shows the pictures of both games.
Outlast
By looking at both video footage like shows on Video 9 above, it clearly can be see how much different the of sound from old and new type of platform. In that video, where the Resident Evil 3 really have lack of sound that sound example the sound of the character breath that cause to lack of mood that given by that character to the audience. However, nowadays most of game really focusing on the detail of the sound where can be heard on the Video 9 above the main character of Outlast game give more feeling inside the game by adding the breathing sound that really shows what the character feelings and give good impact to the audience. The another differences is in terms of the intro like shows on Video 10 below, clearly can be heard that Resident Evil 3 only use few sound such as only use voice over sound and sound effects without any music background while Outlast intro have more sound that use such as using sound effects, background music that makes more into the theme of the game.
Outlast
Video 10
As a result from the comparation above, it really shows in terms of the sound that use in game, old platform of game have more limited storage for the video game sound. Meaning by this is old platform before only have small amount of sound that can use inside the platform itself while nowadays, the platform is upgrade and can be use more sound inside the platform such as PS4. Where the game have less limited of storage which means have more space for the sound to use inside the platform. For example PS1 have around 8GB that can afford therefore half of that GB are sound, while now maybe PS4 have 500GB, therefore half of it can be sound of the game. This clearly shows that the uses of sound in game are big. Moreover, the platform also need to be bigger in terms of storage and the bigger the storage the more sound can be use inside the game, therefore that the on of the reason why the newer the platform the better the game itself due to keep on upgrading.
Audio recording system
Following to the next one, will be about the audio recording system. Audio recording system is equipments in terms of output and input sound. Which are below shows the Input equipments that use in sound that are:-
ü Microphone
ü Audio Recording
Microphone
Microphone is one of the equipments in recording system really need to have. This is because of without any microphone example how to record any sound example like how foley will works if no microphone. The purpose of microphone is to make it heard or to make the sound more clear that will be use inside the video game. For example by using microphone the small sound like breathing, walking sound, sound of shoes and much more that hard to be heard. Furthermore, in microphone also have lots of type such as:-
1. Shotgun Microphone
Like shows on Fig 21 above the example of shotgun microphone looks like. This is usually use in talk show, in film making and also can be use in video game if the game have cutscene where the actors need to record the sound while doing the motion capture. This microphone is really long, therefore mostly people use it to record long distance sound.
2. Dynamic Microphone
For the dynamic microphone, this is like a normal microphone where people mostly have that usually use for concert, for signing and much more. This type of microphone also can be use in recording but rarely use to record sound or audio in terms of video game, however, usually use in recording song such as cover song. Fig 22 below shows how the Dynamic Microphone looks like.
Figure 22
Audio Recording
This is also one of important things need to have, because of without any audio recorder how to record the sound itself. Therefore, the purpose of this audio recorder to record the sound that the sound editor want in game. Furthermore, audio record also have many type it can be portable recorder like shows on Fig 23 below or it can be by using any technology audio devices such as mobile phone, computer, laptop and much more.
Figure 23
Meanwhile, for the output equipments of ways in terms of audio are :-
ü Speaker
ü Headset
ü Save
Headset
The next equipment will be headset or earpiece. Basically this headset use to led the sound editor to hear clearly on the sound while editing it or while using the audio mixer. But headset also usually use for the voice over actors where helps them to hear what are they saying while recording. Fig 24 above shows picture of sound editor using headset to hear the sound clearly.
Speaker
For another ways the sound can output one it will be about speaker, basically this is use to let the sound editor to heard the sound that been edit. This is basically use if the others sound editors of other production member want to heard the final result of the sound. Like shows, Fig 25 below the picture of one of speaker type that usually use for sound editor.
Saving
In terms of the save, since the sound is output therefore, it can be use to save or change with another software which can be to through two type:-
ü Save through Clouds
For the save through clouds, is where the sound save it such as in google drive and one drive. Where it save inside the system in different application. Like shows on Fig. 26 below the example of uploading the audio inside the google drive.
ü Save through File
While for the save through to file is where the sound save such as to pendrive, hardisk or to flash drive. Therefore, by looking at Fig. 27 below shows the example of output the sound to the pendrive. By copy and paste the audio to the pendrive or drag it to the pendrive folder.
Figure 27