Introduction

Without a doubt, audio or sound is the best way to attract attention. Often audio provides the only effective way to convey an idea, elicit an emotion, or dramatize point. For more complex presentations on a hard drive or video, voice-overs and music add depth, making the presentation more enjoyable for the viewer. Sounds also can be combined in a multimedia presentation to provide information and enhance the other media being presented.

Introduction

Audio is one of the most appealing elements of any exciting and successful multimedia presentation. Audio establishes the aural dimension, setting the mood, establishing the ambiance of your presentation. When introducing the element of sound into your application, be aware that there is a fine line between good, supportive sound and excessive, annoying sound.

Sound Wave When we speak, vibrations, called sound waves are created. The sound waves have recurring pattern called analog wave pattern.

The wave pattern has two attributes that affect how work with sound.: volume and frequency. Volume the higher the peak, the louder the sound. Frequency the distance between the peaks, the greater distance , the lower the sound. Frequency is measured in Hertz. A pattern that recurs every second is equal to one hertz (Hz).

Sampling In order for a computer to work with audio waves, they must be converted from analog to digital form. This is done through a process called sampling, in which every fraction of a second a sample of the audio is recorded in digital bits. There are two factors that affect the quality of the digitized audio. 1. Sample Rate Sample rate is the number of times the sample is taken. The three most common sample rates are; 11.025 kHz, 22.05 kHz, and 44.1 kHz. The higher the sample rate, the more samples that are taken and, thus, the better the quality of the digitized audio.

Sampling 2. Sample Size Sample size is the amount of information stored about the sample. The two most common sample sizes are 8 bit and 16 bit. An 8-bit sample allows 256 values that are used to describe audio, whereas a 16-bit sample provides 65, 536 values. The greater the sample size, the better the quality of the audio.

An analog wave pattern and a digital sampling of the pattern.

Sampling Table below shows the file size (in bytes) for 10 seconds of digital audio given various sample rates and bit values.

Sample Rate 44.1 kHz 44.1 kHz 22.05 kHz 22.05 kHz 11.025 kHz

Bit Value 16 8 16 8 8

Size of File 1.76 MB 882 KB 882 KB 440 KB 220 KB

File size of 10 seconds of digitized audio in stereo

Sampling The following formula is used to determine the byte size of a 1 second recording:

Sample rate x bit value / 8

Thus a 1 second recording at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz and 16 bits would be 88, 200 bytes (44 100 x 16 / 8). You would double this number for a stereo recording. The 44.1 kHz 16-bit sample is CD quality, whereas the 11.025 kHz 8-bit sample would be marginal quality.

Storing Sound Data One the sound has been digitized, it can easily manipulated using any sound-editing programs. Sound files can be save in several file formats. WAV - an audio file format developed by Microsoft and IBM that has become widely used. AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) and AIFFC (Audio Interchange File Format Compressed) - a format developed by Apple and use as standard in Macintosh computers. Real Audio - A compression developed by Real Networks that allow streaming sound file over the web. MP3 a format that compresses large audio files (entire audio) for playback near stereo quality. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is standard format that enables computers and electronic musical instruments to communicate sound information.

MIDI Is a set of standardized messages that allow keyboards, computers and electronic music devices to communicate with one another.

It can also be used to control other types of electronic devices like lighting systems and special effects systems.
Midi was invented in 1983 by a group of electronic instrument manufacturers.

-MI=Music Instrument-The controller used to send MIDI into the computer. -DI=Digital Interface-Digital is referred to as binary code-a series of zeros and ones. Example: 00001001011000100100100100100111110001010101101=Middle C!

How MIDI Works?

How MIDI Works? 1. MIDI sends performance instructions, data or information. 2. MIDI is not sound or an audio signal! You cant go MIDI out of your keyboard and plug it into a mixer and get sound. 3. When you press a key on your MIDI keyboard youre not making a soundyoure sending a performance instruction called a note-on message.

4. The computer translates the signal into music VIA A MIDI Interface and that is what you hear. The MIDI interface is connected to the computer through a USB or Firewire port.
5. MIDI interfaces are often combined with Digital Audio interfaces creating an Audio/MIDI interface. This is more common among interfaces used in studios.