Understanding Game Scoring explores the unique collaboration between gameplay and composition that defines musical scoring for video games. Using an array of case studies reaching back into the canon of classic video games, this book illuminates the musical flexibility, user interactivity and sound programming that make game scoring so different from traditional modes of composition. Mack Enns explores the collaboration between game scorers and players to produce the final score for a game, through case studies of the Nintendo Entertainment System sound hardware configuration, and game scores, including the canonic scores for Super Mario Bros. (1985) and The Legend of Zelda (1986). This book is recommended reading for students and researchers interested in the composition and production of video game scores, as well as those interested in ludo-musicology.

Learn Audio Electronics with Arduino: Practical Audio Circuits with Arduino Control teaches the reader how to use Arduino to control analogue audio circuits and introduces electronic circuit theory through a series of practical projects, including a MIDI drum controller and an Arduino-controlled two-band audio equalizer amplifier. Learn Audio Electronics with Arduino provides all the theoretical knowledge needed to design, analyse, and build audio circuits for amplification and filtering, with additional topics like C programming being introduced in a practical context for Arduino control. The reader will learn how these circuits work and also how to build them, allowing them to progress to more advanced audio circuits in the future. Beginning with electrical fundamentals and control systems, DC circuit theory is then combined with an introduction to C programming to build Arduino-based systems for audio (tone sequencer) and MIDI (drum controller) output. The second half of the book begins with AC circuit theory to allow analogue audio circuits for amplification and filtering to be analysed, simulated, and built. These circuits are then combined with Arduino control in the final project - an Arduino-controlled two-band equalizer amplifier. Building on high-school physics and mathematics in an accessible way, Learn Audio Electronics with Arduino is suitable for readers of all levels. An ideal tool for those studying audio electronics, including as a component within other fields of study, such as computer science, human-computer interaction, acoustics, music technology, and electronics engineering.

Digital interactive audio is the future of audio in media - most notably video games, but also web pages, theme parks, museums, art installations and theatrical events. Despite its importance to contemporary multi-media, this is the first book that provides a framework for understanding the history, issues and theories surrounding interactive audio. Karen Collins presents the work of academics, composers and sound programmers to introduce the topic from a variety of angles in order to provide a supplementary text for music and multimedia courses. The contributors cover practical and theoretical approaches, including historical perspectives, emerging theories, socio-cultural approaches to fandom, reception theory and case study analyses. The book offers a fresh perspective on media music, one that will complement film studies, but which will show the necessity of a unique approach when considering games music.

Innovation in Music: Future Opportunities brings together cutting-edge research on new innovations in the field of music production, technology, performance and business. Including contributions from a host of well-respected researchers and practitioners, this volume provides crucial coverage on a range of topics from cybersecurity, to accessible music technology, performance techniques and the role of talent shows within music business. Innovation in Music: Future Opportunities is the perfect companion for professionals and researchers alike with an interest in the music industry.

Women in Audio features almost 100 profiles and stories of audio engineers who are women and have achieved success throughout the history of the trade. Beginning with a historical view, the book covers the achievements of women in various audio professions and then focuses on organizations that support and train women and girls in the industry. What follows are eight chapters divided by discipline, highlighting accomplished women in various audio fields: radio; sound for film and television; music recording and electronic music; hardware and software design; acoustics; live sound and sound for theater; education; audio for games, virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, as well as immersive sound. Women in Audio is a valuable resource for professionals, educators, and students looking to gain insight into the careers of trailblazing women in audio-related fields and represents required reading for those looking to add diversity to their music technology programs.

The Sound System Design Primer is an introduction to the many topics, technologies, and sub-disciplines that make up contemporary sound systems design. Written in clear, conversational language for those who do not have an engineering background, or who think more in language than in numbers, The Sound System Design Primer provides a solid foundation in this expanding discipline for students, early/mid-career system designers, creative and content designers seeking a better grasp on the technical side of things, and non-sound professionals who want or need to be able to speak intelligently with sound system designers.

Sound and Image: Aesthetics and Practices brings together international artist scholars to explore diverse sound and image practices, applying critical perspectives to interrogate and evaluate both the aesthetics and practices that underpin the audiovisual. Contributions draw upon established discourses in electroacoustic music, media art history, film studies, critical theory and dance; framing and critiquing these arguments within the context of diverse audiovisual practices. The volume's interdisciplinary perspective contributes to the rich and evolving dialogue surrounding the audiovisual, demonstrating the value and significance of practice-informed theory, and theory derived from practice. The ideas and approaches explored within this book will find application in a wide range of contexts across the whole scope of audiovisuality, from visual music and experimental film, to narrative film and documentary, to live performance, sound design and into sonic art and electroacoustic music. This book is ideal for artists, composers and researchers investigating theoretical positions and compositional practices which bring together sound and image.

This work provides an instructive into applications and problems from the broad field of pattern recognition. It describes basic topics and the required mathematical background of image and speech processing. Algorithms and data structures for filtering, feature extraction, segmentation and classification are discussed, introducing and demonstrating different C++ concepts. The practice of object-oriented programming is illustrated by a step-wise development of a complete class library for image processing.

Whether you're comping a vocal track, restoring an old recording, working with dialogue or sound effects for film, or imposing your own vision with mash-ups or remixes, audio editing is a key skill to successful sound production. Digital Audio Editing gives you the techniques, from the simplest corrective editing like cutting, copying, and pasting to more complex creative editing, such as beat mapping and time-stretching. You'll be able to avoid unnatural-sounding pitch correction and understand the potential pitfalls you face when restoring classic tracks. Author Simon Langford invites you to see editing with his wide-angle view, putting this skill into a broad context that will inform your choices even as you more skillfully manipulate sound. Focusing on techniques applicable to any digital audio workstation, it includes break-outs giving specific keystrokes and instruction in Avids Pro Tools, Apple's Logic Pro, Steinberg's Cubase, and PreSonus's Studio One. The companion websites includes tutorials in all four software packages to help you immediately apply the broad skills from the book.

The acoustics of a space can have a real impact on the sounds you create and capture. Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, Fifth Edition provides supportive tools and exercises to help you understand how music sounds and behaves in different spaces, whether during a performance or a recording, when planning a control room or listening space, and how it is perceived by performers, listeners, and recording engineers.

With their clear and simple style, Howard and Angus cover both theory and practice by addressing the science of sound engineering and music production, the acoustics of musical instruments, the ways in which we hear musical sounds, the underlying principles of sound processing, and the application of these concepts to music spaces to create professional sound. This new edition is fully revised to reflect new psychoacoustic information related to timbre and temporal perception, including an updated discussion of vocal fold vibration principles, samples of recent acoustic treatments, and a description of variable acoustics in spaces, as well as coverage of the environment’s effect on production listening, sonification, and other topics.

Devoted to the teaching of musical understanding, an accompanying website (www.routledge.com/cw/howard) features various audio clips, tutorial sheets, questions and answers, and trainings that will take your perception of sound to the next level.

This book will help you:

Gain a basic grounding in acoustics and psychoacoustics with respect to music audio technology systems

Incorporate knowledge of psychoacoustics in future music technology system designs as appropriate

Understand how we hear pitch, loudness, and timbre

Learn to influence the acoustics of an enclosed space through designed physical modifications

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Introduction to Sound

Chapter 2: Introduction to Hearing

Chapter 3: Notes and Harmony

Chapter 4: Acoustic Model for Musical Instruments

Chapter 5: Hearing Timbre and Deceiving the Ear

Chapter 6: Hearing Music in Different Environments

Chapter 7: Applications: Acoustics and Psychoacoustics Combined

Appendix 1: The Fourier Transform

Appendix 2: Solving the ERB Equation

Appendix 3: Converting between Frequency Ratios and Cents

Appendix 4: Deriving the Reverberation Time Equation

Appendix 5: Deriving the Reverberation Time Equation for Different Frequencies and Surfaces

Appendix 6: The Effect of Speaker Sixe on its Polar Pattern

Appendix 7: Track Listing for the Audio Compact Disc

Index

Despite its significant growth over the past five years, the mobile and social videogame industry is still maturing at a rapid rate. Due to various storage and visual and sound asset restrictions, mobile and social gaming must have innovative storytelling techniques. Narrative Tactics grants readers practical advice for improving narrative design and game writing for mobile and social games, and helps them rise to the challenge of mobile game storytelling. The first half of the book covers general storytelling techniques, including worldbuilding, character design, dialogue, and quests. In the second half, leading experts in the field explore various genres and types of mobile and social games, including educational games, licensed IP, games for specific demographics, branding games, and free to play (F2P). Key Features The only book dedicated to narrative design and game writing in social and mobile games, an explosive market overtaking the console gaming market. Provides tips for narrative design and writing tailored specifically for mobile and social game markets. Guides readers along with conclusions that include questions to help the reader in narrative design and/or writing. Explores real games to illustrate theory and best practices with analyses of game case studies per chapter, covering indie, social/mobile, and AAA games. Includes checklists to help readers critique their own narrative design/writing.

An Introduction to Music Technology, Second Edition provides a clear overview of the essential elements of music technology for today's musician. This book focuses on the topics that underlie the hardware and software in use today: Sound, Audio, MIDI, Computer Notation, and Computer- Assisted Instruction. Appendices cover necessary computer hardware and software concepts. Written for both music technology majors and non-majors, this textbook introduces fundamental principles and practices so students can learn to work with a wide range of software programs, adapt to new music technologies, and apply music technology in their performance, composition, teaching, and analysis. Features: Thorough explanations of key topics in music technology Content applicable to all software and hardware, not linked to just one piece of software or gear In-depth discussion of digital audio topics, such as sampling rates, resolutions, and file formats Explanations of standard audio plug-ins including dynamics processors, EQs, and delay based effects Coverage of synthesis and sampling in software instruments Pedagogical features, including: Further Reading sections that allow the student to delve deeper into topics of interest Suggested Activities that can be carried out with a variety of different programs Key Terms at the end of each chapter What Do I Need? Chapters covering the types of hardware and software needed in order to put together Audio and MIDI systems A companion website with links to audio examples that demonstrate various concepts, step-by-step tutorials, relevant hardware, software, and additional audio and video resources. The new edition has been fully updated to cover new technologies that have emerged since the first edition, including iOS and mobile platforms, online notation software, alternate controllers, and Open Sound Control (OSC).

Guiding you through the history and emergence of modern mastering techniques, then providing practical hints and tips on how to use them in your set up, Practical Mastering is the book for anyone wanting to master this elusive art form. Providing you with solid mastering theory underpinned by years of professional experience and hands-on advice to getting the most out of your set up. Using years of practical and professional experience, Mark and Russ offer a discussion of how to effectively listen to and interpret post-mix tracks, showing you how to pick out areas of the mix that could be optimized or need development. Backing this up with professional tips and tricks on how to develop and fine tuning your hearing skills. Honing your ears to efficiently and effectively listen to your mixes and create perfectly polished master tracks.

Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms, Third Edition explains the physical and perceptual processes that are involved in sound reproduction and demonstrates how to use the processes to create high-quality listening experiences in stereo and multichannel formats. Understanding the principles of sound production is necessary to achieve the goals of sound reproduction in spaces ranging from recording control rooms and home listening rooms to large cinemas. This revision brings new science-based perspectives on the performance of loudspeakers, room acoustics, measurements and equalization, all of which need to be appropriately used to ensure the accurate delivery of music and movie sound tracks from creators to listeners. The robust website (www.routledge.com/cw/toole) is the perfect companion to this necessary resource.

Simon Grimm examines new multi-microphone signal processing strategies that aim to achieve noise reduction and dereverberation. Therefore, narrow-band signal enhancement approaches are combined with broad-band processing in terms of directivity based beamforming. Previously introduced formulations of the multichannel Wiener filter rely on the second order statistics of the speech and noise signals. The author analyses how additional knowledge about the location of a speaker as well as the microphone arrangement can be used to achieve further noise reduction and dereverberation.

This volume provides a comprehensive introduction to foundational topics in sound design for linear media, such as listening and recording; audio postproduction; key musical concepts and forms such as harmony, conceptual sound design, electronica, soundscape, and electroacoustic composition; the audio commons; and sound's ontology and phenomenology. The reader will gain a broad understanding of the key concepts and practices that define sound design for its use with moving images as well as important forms of composed sound. The chapters are written by international authors from diverse backgrounds who provide multidisciplinary perspectives on sound in its linear forms. The volume is designed as a textbook for students and teachers, as a handbook for researchers in sound, media and experience, and as a survey of key trends and ideas for practitioners interested in exploring the boundaries of their profession.

This open access book describes the results of natural language processing and machine learning methods applied to clinical text from electronic patient records. It is divided into twelve chapters. Chapters 1-4 discuss the history and background of the original paper-based patient records, their purpose, and how they are written and structured. These initial chapters do not require any technical or medical background knowledge. The remaining eight chapters are more technical in nature and describe various medical classifications and terminologies such as ICD diagnosis codes, SNOMED CT, MeSH, UMLS, and ATC. Chapters 5-10 cover basic tools for natural language processing and information retrieval, and how to apply them to clinical text. The difference between rule-based and machine learning-based methods, as well as between supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods, are also explained. Next, ethical concerns regarding the use of sensitive patient records for research purposes are discussed, including methods for de-identifying electronic patient records and safely storing patient records. The book's closing chapters present a number of applications in clinical text mining and summarise the lessons learned from the previous chapters. The book provides a comprehensive overview of technical issues arising in clinical text mining, and offers a valuable guide for advanced students in health informatics, computational linguistics, and information retrieval, and for researchers entering these fields.

We're all able to record music; a smartphone will get you quick results. But for a good sound, a lot more is involved. Acoustics, microphone placement, and effects have a huge influence on the resulting sound. Music Production: Learn How to Record, Mix, and Master Music will teach you how to record, mix, and master music. With accessible language for both beginner and advanced readers, the book contains countless illustrations, includes tips and tricks for all the popular digital audio workstations and provides coverage of common plugins and processors. Also included is a section dedicated to mastering in a home studio. With hundreds of tips and techniques for both the starting and advanced music producer, this is your must-have guide.

The two-volume proceedings LNCS 9314 and 9315, constitute the proceedings of the 16th Pacific-Rim Conference on Multimedia, PCM 2015, held in Gwangju, South Korea, in September 2015. The total of 138 full and 32 short papers presented in these proceedings was carefully reviewed and selected from 224 submissions. The papers were organized in topical sections named: image and audio processing; multimedia content analysis; multimedia applications and services; video coding and processing; multimedia representation learning; visual understanding and recognition on big data; coding and reconstruction of multimedia data with spatial-temporal information; 3D image/video processing and applications; video/image quality assessment and processing; social media computing; human action recognition in social robotics and video surveillance; recent advances in image/video processing; new media representation and transmission technologies for emerging UHD services.

This book gives an overview of the research and application of speech technologies in different areas. One of the special characteristics of the book is that the authors take a broad view of the multiple research areas and take the multidisciplinary approach to the topics. One of the goals in this book is to emphasize the application. User experience, human factors and usability issues are the focus in this book.

This straightforward introduction to audio techniques guides the beginner through principles such as sound waves and basic acoustics and offers practical advice for using recording and reproduction equipment. Previously known as Audio Explained, this latest edition includes new material on: reverberation and its use in recording; principles of digital mixing; digital recording; including MiniDisc and MP3; digital artificial reverberation.
Designed with the student in mind, information is organised according to level of difficulty. An understanding of the basic principles is essential to anyone wishing to make successful recordings and so chapters are split into two parts: the first introducing the basic theories in a non-technical way; the second dealing with the subject in more depth. Key facts are clearly identified in separate boxes and further information for the more advanced reader is indicated in shaded boxes. In addition, questions are provided (with answers supplied at the end of the book) as a teaching and learning aid.
Sound Engineering Explained is ideal for both serious audio amateurs any student studying audio for the first time, in particular those preparing for Part One exams of the City & Guilds Sound Engineering (1820) course.
Learn from the beginning about audio techniquesClearly written for ease of understandingCovers the latest advances in technology to keep you completely informed

We are surrounded by noise; we must be able to separate the signals we want to hear from those we do not. To overcome this 'cocktail party effect' we have developed various strategies; endowing computers with similar abilities would enable the development of devices such as intelligent hearing aids and robust speech recognition systems. This book describes a system which attempts to separate multiple, simultaneous acoustic sources using strategies based on those used by humans. It is both a review of recent work on the modelling of auditory processes, and a presentation of a new model in which acoustic signals are decomposed into elements. These structures are then re-assembled in accordance with rules of auditory organisation which operate to bind together elements that are likely to have arisen from the same source. The model is evaluated by measuring its ability to separate speech from a wide variety of other sounds, including music, phones and other speech.

Written in an encouraging and accessible way, this textbook is about how to compose with sound-to make powerful soundwriting like podcast episodes, audio essays, personal narratives, and documentaries. Using ideas and language from rhetoric and writing studies as well as the authors' personal experiences with soundwriting, this book teaches soundwriters how to approach the world with a listening ear and body, determine a writing process that feels right, target the perfect audience, use such rhetorical tools as music and sound effects, and work in an audio editor. The many exercises throughout the book and the supportive resources on the companion website will further help budding makers to strengthen their skills and their understanding of what it takes to make compelling audio projects.

Strike a balance between theory and practice! With this text, you'll, find a balance between theory and practice that allows you to build your understanding of the basic concepts, assumptions, and limitations of the theory of speech analysis and synthesis. The methods for data analysis as well as the theoretical background are provided to help you comprehend the analysis results. And you'll be able to study the features and properties of speech as a signal without having to record data and write software to analyze the data. The text includes two CDs that contain stand-alone and MATLAB software and speech and electroglottographic data. The CDs illustrate the effects that speech models and speech analysis procedures have on the quality of synthesized speech. An extensive speech database provides numerous speech files and other data. Examples included in each chapter demonstrate how to use the software. The CDs allow you to:
* Calculate the parameters of linear prediction speech models.
* Examine procedures for converting the speech of one speaker to sound like that of another speaker (i.e., voice conversion).
* Analyze and alter the temporal structure of the speech signal. This allows you to automatically parse speech into various features, such as voiced segments, unvoiced segments, nasal and non-nasal segments, fricatives, stops, and more.
* Create speech with a "high speaking rate" or generate speech with a "slow speaking rate."
* Adjust the parameters of the vocal fold model to change the vocal fold tension, length, thickness, mass, etc., in order to observe the effects of these parameters on the vibratory motion of the vocal folds.

"Speech Processing and Soft Computing" includes coverage of synergy between speech technology and bio-inspired soft computing methods. Through practical cases, the author explores, dissects and examines how soft computing may complement conventional techniques in speech enhancement and speech recognition in order to provide robust systems. The material is especially useful to graduate students and experienced researchers who are interested in expanding their horizons and investigating new research directions through review of the theoretical and practical settings of soft computing methods in very recent speech applications.