Specifications

This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under CCLI Grant DUE 0717743,
Jennifer Burg PI, Jason Romney, Co-PI.
1 Chapter 1 Getting Ready .................................................................. 2
1.1 Sounds Like Fun! ....................................................................... 2
1.2 How This Book is Organized ........................................................ 2
1.3 A Brief History of Digital Sound ................................................... 2
1.4 Basic Terminology ..................................................................... 4
1.4.1 Analog vs. Digital ................................................................. 4
1.4.2 Digital Audio vs. MIDI ........................................................... 4
1.5 Setting up Your Work Environment .............................................. 5
1.5.1 Overview ............................................................................ 5
1.5.2 Hardware for Digital Audio and MIDI Processing ...................... 7
1.5.2.1 Computer System Requirements ...................................... 7
1.5.2.2 Digital Audio Interface .................................................. 10
1.5.2.3 Drivers ........................................................................ 11
1.5.2.4 MIDI Keyboard ............................................................. 11
1.5.2.5 Recording Devices ........................................................ 12
1.5.2.6 Microphones ................................................................ 14
1.5.2.7 Direct Input Devices ..................................................... 22
1.5.2.8 Monitor Loudspeakers ................................................... 24
1.5.2.9 Studio Headphones ....................................................... 25
1.5.2.10 Cables and Connectors ................................................. 25
1.5.2.11 Dedicated Hardware Processors ..................................... 37
1.5.2.12 Mixers ........................................................................ 38
1.5.2.13 Loudspeakers .............................................................. 40
1.5.2.14 Analysis Hardware ....................................................... 41
1.5.3 Software for Digital Audio and MIDI Processing...................... 42
1.5.3.1 The Basics ................................................................... 42
1.5.3.2 Logic .......................................................................... 44
1.5.3.3 Cakewalk Sonar and Music Creator ................................. 45
1.5.3.4 Adobe Audition ............................................................ 46
1.5.3.5 Audacity ...................................................................... 46
1.5.3.6 Reason ....................................................................... 47
1.5.3.7 Software Plug-Ins ......................................................... 48
1.5.3.8 Music Composing and Notation Software ......................... 49
1.5.3.9 Working in the Linux Environment .................................. 49
1.5.4 Software for Live Performances ........................................... 51
1.6 Learning Supplements ............................................................. 52
1.6.1 Practical Exercises ............................................................. 52
1.6.2 Flash Tutorials ................................................................... 53
1.6.3 Max and Pure Data (PD) ..................................................... 53
1.6.4 MATLAB and Octave ........................................................... 55
1.6.5 C++ and Java Programming Exercises .................................. 56
1.7 Where to Go from Here ............................................................ 57
1.8 References ............................................................................. 57