Audio

Audio refers to sound, a general term used in discussions about sound reinforcement, recording, and reproduction. Sometimes, people intentionally create sound for music production or communication purposes, like talking. Mechanical or electronic devices can also be used to deliberately enhance experiences, such as the frightening noises in a haunted house at a carnival, soft music for a romantic dinner, or the sound of wind blowing through brush to create a desolate atmosphere in a western movie.

Below is a link to a tutorial flash presentation for free.

Intro to Audio Tutorial

Thanks to modern technology, we can record these sounds and play them back later. While music recordings naturally interest many people, recorded audio can also be combined with images (photographs) to create cinema. Contemporary recording equipment is small, relatively inexpensive, and capable of producing very high fidelity recordings. The latest digital audio recorders have opened up new possibilities for capturing sounds more easily than ever before.

However, the act of recording desired sound has become problematic. In today's mechanized cultures, sound has become so prevalent as a by-product of various activities that densely or moderately populated areas suffer from sound pollution. Offices, homes, city streets, and small towns are filled with noises from computers, fans, heating and ventilation systems, automobiles, aircraft, entertainment venues, refrigerators, power tools, kitchen appliances, and other devices, creating a constant and pervasive din in contemporary civilization. This makes it nearly impossible to obtain clean and pure audio recordings. The exceptions to this are recording in specially designed soundproof facilities or in very remote rural or wilderness settings.

People who use recorded sound to craft artistic or entertaining experiences for an audience are often referred to as Sound Designers. Sound Designers face the challenge of creating convincing sonic experiences for audiences. In everyday life, the average person's attention has shifted towards visual images, distancing them from the constant barrage of sound in their daily routines. The buzzing and humming of the office, the constant traffic rumble, and even police sirens fail to arouse awareness, let alone interest, in pedestrians in densely populated areas. However, when people find themselves in a theater, auditorium, or a home listening environment, they become more attuned and intent on being aware of the design of sound. Therefore, sound designers must take care to create thoughtful and detailed experiences for their intended listeners.

UPDATED August 2, 2023