| A | B |
|---|
| Monaural (Mono) | all sources of audio play out of one single channel |
| Stereophonic (Stereo) | audio sources can be separated into two different channels (left and right) |
| Surround Sound | multiple audio channels; usually 5-7 separate channels |
| Streaming Audio | Transmitting audio files that can begin playing over the Internet as the remaining data is still being downloaded |
| Streaming Audio | Example websites that use streaming audio technology include Pandora, Spotify, Grooveshark, etc. |
| Streaming Audio | Creates little to no wait time to begin hearing the audio file |
| Pre-Production | define parameters of the audio project and make preliminary decisions |
| Production | record audio from original source |
| Post-Production | use an audio editing software to edit the recorded audio; optimize the audio output file for specific client needs |
| Pre-Production | Determine the overall purpose of the project |
| Pre-Production | Define the intended target audience |
| Pre-Production | Consult with the client and write a script that effectively conveys the intended message to the audience |
| Pre-Production | Determine specific hardware needs |
| Pre-Production | Determine specific software needs |
| Audio Editing Software | captures audio from the original source and imports it into the editing software |
| Audio Editing Software | manipulates audio clips and adds the desired tracks and effects to convey the intended message |
| Production | Record audio from original source |
| Production | Maintain audio levels throughout recording to ensure quality |
| Production | Save recorded audio |
| Track | separate layers of audio used to record sources individually |
| V.U. Meter (Volume Units Meter) | a visual representation of the audio volume level; used to ensure all audio clips recorded are at the same level and not too loud |
| Master Level | used to control the overall output volume of an audio recording |
| Audio Panning | when audio is recorded through separate channels (left or right) |
| Over-Modulation | sound interference that occurs during recording when audio levels are too high and causes the signal to distort or lose clarity |
| Post-Production | Import / Capture audio clips into software |
| Post-Production | Edit the audio clips according the the script and add desired effects and/or background audio to convey the intended message to the audience |
| Post-Production | Export the audio into a portable format |
| Clip | a section of recorded sound used to create an audio production |
| Trim / Splice | starting and stopping audio clips at a defined point in the recording |
| Fade | a gradual change of volume used to change between clips of audio |
| Fade Up (In) and Fade Down (Out) | gradually increasing or decreasing the volume of an audio clip |
| Crossfade | a gradual volume transition from one audio clip to another |
| Adjusting Track Levels | increasing or decreasing the volume of individual tracks to ensure all tracks are audible and blend well together |
| Loop | used to make a particular section of audio repeat |
| Audio Effects | adjustments to audio clips used to change the original sound in order to reach the desired outcome |
| Background Audio | music and/or sounds used together with a voiceover (usually at a lower volume) to add interest and depth to an audio production |
| Voiceover | a voice recording used to convey a message to the audience |
| Post-Production | Optimize the audio output file for specific client needs |
| .MP3 | most popular audio file format - standard for downloading and storing music files; commonly used for streaming over the Internet |
| .WAV | standard file format for PCs - native sound format within the Windows® environment |
| .WMA | uses Windows® Media Player for audio playback - Microsoft® format used for streaming audio files |
| .MIDI | Musical Instrument Digital Interface - standard file format used by digital instruments (keyboards, guitars, etc.) - contains information about musical notes |
| .AAC / .M4A | standard file format for Apple® Computers - higher quality sound than .MP3 - standard file format used by mobile devices |
