Hybrid Audio Production
By combining MIDI and digital audio loops in a program like Acid, the
best of both worlds can be optimized. On the digital audio side (loops),
Acid will optimize a high quality playback format by playing back loops.
Only one copy of each loop used need be part of the file, saving space.
Using the MIDI features takes advantage of the very small data size of
MIDI instruction code and relies on the installed synthesizer of the playback
system, whether this is a software synthesizer, a custom wave table in
the game platform memory, or an external hardware synthesizer in a professional
recording studio. These features can also be created in Pro Tools.
Most MIDI editors will allow editing in a variety of views; including Event List, Graphic (piano roll) and even Musical Notation view. This is a great improvement on the original MIDI editors that only showed a command line event list, similar to basic code programming.
Typical Components of a MIDI Sequencer Program
A MIDI Event as Binary Information
MIDI Events in a Sequencer's List View
Dynamic allocation allows for seamless playback of MIDI data to be performed on a system with a limitied number of voices, such as platform game machines and early sound cards. Early game audio tools required detailed editing to ensure that only the maximum number of voices was being used.
Dynamic Allocation of Synthesizer Voices
How a Synthesizer Filters MIDI Data
General MIDI was a way to systemize instrument patches to provide universal playback
The General MIDI Instrument Specification
The General MIDI Drum Specification on Channel 10
audio production for animation
Animation
AKA: Animated, Animator
The process of creating the illusion of motion by creating individual
frames, as opposed to filming naturally-occuring action at a regular
frame rate. See also computer generated animation, claymation, time
lapse. Contrast with motion capture, rotoscoping.
All of the audio components in full motion picture are even more critical when supporting animation:
- Dialogue Production
- Sound Effects
- Musical Score
Tips for spotting to cues in cut videos
- anticipate the action by sliding the cue forward and backward
- use the M key for initial spotting session; go through the whole footage several times, placing and labeling markers
- think in layers! What is going on in the different areas of foreground, middleground and background
- what is the most important sound in the scene?
Mid Term Audio Design project, due the Week 11; NEXT WEEK!