Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Work Stations
Final Review
87
Music
Undergraduate 2
11/20/2008

Additional Music Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Is there generation loss between digital Files?
Definition
No, there is no generation (quality) loss.
Term
What is a DAW?
Definition
Digital Audio Workstation (Digital Sequencer, Hard-Disk Recorder)
Term
What are the three characteristics of a DAW?
Definition
Pointer Based, Non Linear, and Non Destructive.
Term
How Many tracks are available in Pro-Tools LE? Track Types?
Definition
32 Mono tracks, 128 Total tracks (96 inactive), Music production tool kit extends to 48 active tracks.
(128 Aux inputs)
(64 Master Faders)
(256 Midi Tracks)
(32 Instrument Tracks)
Term
What File types and sample rates are supported?
Definition
16 or 24bit BWF, AIFF, or SDII files.
Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96kHz
Term
Name 3 things stored in a session folder.
Definition
Audio Files, Fade Files Folder, Session File.
(Session File is a map of all elements associated with project) (Wave Cache File stores waveform display data for session) (Fade files are audio files)
Term
What is the difference between an audio file, and an audio region?
Definition
Audio file is digital audio stored on drive, and an Audio Region is a graphic object representing audio
Term
What are types of regions?
Definition
Whole File Regions: Bold Type representing complete file
Non-Whole File Regions: Plain type, part of audio file.
Term
How many active rulers are available at any given time?
Definition
Only 1 active ruler at a time.
Term
How many primary windows exist in Pro-Tools?
Definition
2 Primary Windows: Edit window and Mix window
Term
What are the 4 edit modes in Pro-Tools?
Definition
Slip: moves freely to any sample location
Grid: moves between points on a defined grid (absolute grid snaps material to a grid point; relative grid moves material by a grid value)
Shuffle: Moves material within region boundaries
Spot: places audio in a specific location
Term
What edit tools are available?
Definition
Zoom, Selector, Time Grabber
Term
What are the available file formats?
Definition
Stereo Interleaved: L&R channels together in a file
Split Stereo: separate L&R files
(Pro-Tools does not support stereo files, but does support stereo tracks and regions)
Term
What is an offline region?
Definition
A region in the region list whose source file does not exist on the hard drive?
Term
What is the difference between Add/Copy/Convert when importing?
Definition
Add: Uses and references original audio file without moving it to the Audio Files Folder
Copy: copies files to Audio Files folder
Convert: copies to Audio Files folder after converting sample rate, bit depth, and file format.
Term
What are three ways to import audio?
Definition
Import Audio from file menu
Use Digibase browser
Use Finder/Explorer
Term
What is minimum selection length for loop playback?
Definition
1/2 second minimum
Term
What trim options are available in the edit menu?
Definition
Trim to selection (removes all region except selection)
Start to Insertion (Removes between start and cursor)
End to Insertion (Removes between cursor and end)
Term
How do you reverse the trim tool's direction?
Definition
Option button (in slip mode Control lets you trim exactly to next region)
Term
How are regions nudged in Pro-Tools?
Definition
Use plus or minus sign on numeric keypad.
Term
Can a locked region be moved, edited or recorded over?
Definition
It can not be moved or edited, but it still may be recorded over when locked.
Term
How can you move the cursor to the previous transient?
Definition
With Tab to Transient engaged, Option Tab will move cursor to previous dynamic peak (Select mode with shift button)
Term
What are the four ways to save?
Definition
Save: updates changes in session file
Save as: creates new session file with current status
Save Copy In: Complete backup copy of session (for use when saving to older version of PT)
Auto Backup: Makes backup session automatically
Term
What is a DSP chip?
Definition
Digital Signal Processors (processes digital audio)
Term
What is an audio interface?
Definition
A physical audio connection to the computer
Term
What is the difference between primary and secondary storage?
Definition
Primary: used for main storage of session (OS, software, session files)
Secondary: used for back up purposes (CD-R, DVD-R, removable hard drive, etc.)
Term
What is the difference between hardware and host based systems?
Definition
Hardware: Engine and plug in processing handled by DSP chips
Host Based: Engine and plug in processing handled by CPU
Term
What is a Hybrid-System?
Definition
Host based system with added DSP chips.
Term
Name the Digital I/O formats and their channel capabilities.
Definition
AES/EBU: 2 channels
S/PDIF: Sony Phillips Digital Interface
TDIF: 8 Channels (Tascam Digital Interface)
ADAT: 8 Channels (Alesis Digital Audio Tape)
MADI: 56 Channels (Multichannel Audio Digital Interface)
Term
Can memory locations be made on the fly?
Definition
Yes they may be created while playing or recording.
Term
What 3 options are available when setting Time Properties in a memory location?
Definition
Marker: to set a placeholder at specific point for return
Selection: Remember for later editing
None: Remembering settings for zoom, track height, etc. (independent of marker or selection)
Term
What are the general properties of Memory locations?
Definition
Zoom settings, Pre/Post Roll Times, Track Show/Hide, Track Heights, Group Enables, Comments
Term
How many levels of undo are available in LE?
Definition
Up to 32 levels of UNDO are available
Term
What clears the undo queue?
Definition
Deleting Tracks, Closing Sessions, Quitting Pro-Tools, Destructive Recording, Certain File Management Functions (Saving Session DOES NOT clear the queue)
Term
What are the main differences between Analog and Digital audio?
Definition
Analog is a smooth, continuous variation of air pressure; Digital is discrete measurements of air pressure at a pre determined number of snapshots
Term
What is Sample Rate? Quantization?
Definition
Sample Rate is the number of amplitude snapshots taken per second
Quantization is the measurement of amplitude which is rounded to the nearest interval (causing ERRORS)
Term
What is Quantization Error? At what amplitudes is it most significant?
Definition
The distortion caused by rounding an amplitude measurement up or down to the nearest quantization interval. It is most significant at lower amplitudes.
Term
How many quantization intervals are present in 16-bit resolution? 20-bit? 24-bit?
Definition
16=65,536 quantization intervals
20=1,048,576 " "
24=16,777,216 " "
Term
What is the theoretical dynamic range of 16-bit audio? 20-bit? 24-bit?
Definition
16= 96dB
20= 120dB
24= 144dB
Term
What is another name for maximum digital level?
Definition
Full Scale (0dBFS....there are no numbers above 0dBFS)
Term
What are the advantages of recording at a higher bit depth?
Definition
Greater potential Dynamic range
Greater effective resolution
Lowers the dynamic level of quantization errors
Greater headroom before clipping
Term
What is dither? Does it counteract QE?
Definition
Dither is low level noise added to signal which DOES COUNTERACT QUANTIZATION ERROR
Term
What does Nyquist's Theorem state?
Definition
The sample rate must be at least twice the highest frequency to be accurately reproduced (example is a 10k tone must have a sample rate of 20k)
Term
How many samples per period are in the Nyquist frequency?
Definition
2 samples per period (sample rate divided by 2 is Nyquist Frequency)
Term
When is the anti-aliasing filter applied?
Definition
Used in Audio to Digital conversion to remove all frequencies above the Nyquist Frequency.
Term
When is the anti-imaging filter applied?
Definition
Used in Digital to Audio conversion to remove high frequencies.
Term
How do we determine bits per second?
Definition
The sample rate multiplied by the bit depth determines bits per second ( a 44.1 sample rate at a bit depth of 16 = 705,600 bits per second)
Term
What is a voice? Do inactive tracks use voices?
Definition
A voice is an audio event, and a pathway to or from storage. Inactive audio tracks DO NOT use voices.
Term
Do Pro-Tools Faders change levels recorded to the hard drive?
Definition
No, the source signal from an instrument or mic determines level of signal recorded.
Term
Which monitoring mode monitors playback until you record?
Definition
Auto Input monitoring monitors playback of record enabled track until you are recording (input only monitoring monitors source input on record enabled tracks)
Term
Which monitoring mode monitors playback until you record?
Definition
Auto Input monitoring monitors playback of record enabled track until you are recording (input only monitoring monitors source input on record enabled tracks)
Term
Monitoring latency is the delay between what two things?
Definition
It is the delay between an input and the output through which it is monitored
Term
Which recording mode is selection based?
Definition
Auto-Punch recording is selection based
Term
What does destructive recording do?
Definition
It directly overwrites audio file, replacing original data on disk, and alters any regions that refer to that portion of the whole file region. CAN NOT BE UNDONE OR REVERSED
Term
Quick-Punch recording uses how many voices on a mono track?
Definition
Uses 2 voices on mono, and 4 on stereo ( up to 200 running punches)
Term
How long does a selection have to be to loop record?
Definition
Must be at least one second (records multiple passes of a selection)
Term
What modifier key allows you to view all loop recorded takes?
Definition
Apple click with selector on region will show list of alternate takes/loops.
Term
Can offline regions be edited or processed?
Definition
They may still be edited but not processed.
Term
What is the minimum length of a fade be?
Definition
It must be at least 4 samples.
Term
What 3 options are available when linking fades?
Definition
Equal Power: gives 3dB boost in amplitude at middle of fade.
Equal Gain: Linear fade in or out
None: disables the linking between the fade out and fade in curve
Term
Mixing Definitions-
Definition
DAE- Digital Audio Engine
TDM-Time Division Multiplexing
Bus- Internal audio pathway
Send- Routes copy of signal to output or buss
Insert- Redirects signal to plug in or I/O
Pre Fader- Copy before fader affected by track fader or pan
Post Fader- copy sent after fader passing through track fader
Term
What is a Plug in? Where can it be placed?
Definition
A plug-in is an application within an application, placed and created on insert and used for effects (gate, delay, etc.)
Term
Can a track's format be changed after it's created? Output format?
Definition
The track format can not be changed, but the output format can.
Term
Do aux tracks and master faders handle audio?
Definition
Aux inputs contain no audio data
Term
How are mixer windows different from actual signal flow?
Definition
The mix window is the order of elements in a channel strip, not the flow of the actual signal
Term
How much of a signal does an insert affect?
Definition
An insert affects 100% of a signal.
Term
What is the difference between Dynamic and Time based processing and routing?
Definition
A dynamic processor is placed directly on the track's insert, and a time based processor takes a copy of the signal, routed to an aux input, and places itself on the insert of that aux
Term
What is the Target button within a plug-in?
Definition
It allows multiple plug-in windows to be viewed at once.
Term
How are plug-ins moved and copied?
Definition
They may be dragged from insert to insert or track to track and may be copied by option dragging
Term
What are the functions of bounce to disk? How, why and where?
Definition
Renders entire or partial mix to disk, Bounces a single output or buss,bounces selection in time line, bounces in real time only
Term
What is the optimized audio protocol for Mac OSX? For Pro-Tools?
Definition
It is Core Audio for Mac OSX and DAE for Pro-Tools.
Term
Can Pro Tools be run on non-Digi hardware?
Definition
No it can only use Digi hardware
Term
What are 4 Plug in formats? What does Pro-Tools LE support?
Definition
VST, DirectX, AudioUnits,RTAS- Pro-Tools LE supports RTAS and AudioSuite
Term
What is monitored in the Pro-Tools System Usage Window?
Definition
CPU activity, PCI Activity, and disk traffic
Term
Should the Hardware Buffer size be raised to maximum for tracking?
Definition
No, the hardware buffer should be set as small as possible, which will create less delay
Term
Monitoring latency is the delay between what two things?
Definition
It is the delay between an input and the output through which it's monitored
Term
Is AudioSuite File based? Is it destructive?
Definition
It is file based processing, that can either be destructive or non-destructive.
Term
What 2 graphical places can an AudioSuite process be found?
Definition
Either in Playlist or Region List
Term
How many MIDI tracks does Pro-Tools LE support?
Definition
Up to 256 MIDI tracks
Term
What MIDI track views are available?
Definition
Track View, Regions View, Notes View, Velocity View, Controller View
Term
Are MIDI regions stored in a session file?
Definition
Yes
Term
Can MIDI Notes be edited in Regions view?
Definition
No individual notes may be edited in this view
Term
What can the Grabber Tool do with MIDI?
Definition
It can be used to move, transpose, and trim
Term
Which pencil will draw in a series of notes?
Definition
Draw in Notes
Term
What does flatten performance do in Pro-Tools?
Definition
It locks the current state of selected notes and creates a new "restore to" state for specified note attributes
Term
What does restore performance do?
Definition
It restores all selected MIDI notes to their original state.
Term
How do you export MIDI out of Pro-Tools?
Definition
File-Export-MIDI...... Choose type
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