2.2: Audio Glossary + Tutorials

Read by Thu Sep 11, 8am
Reading Response due Thu Sep 11, 8am
Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller, Experiment in F# Minor, 2013

Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller
Experiment in F# Minor, 2013

Why?

To better understand how a medium functions and how it is used can help you determine how you might approach it and discover new ways to interact with it. In the case of sound, understanding terminology and learning about things like amplitudes, wave forms, and more will help you as you take tutorials because you will understand the jargon used by those in the field.

We won’t be going into too much depth with specific tutorials since experimentation and self-directed study based on individual project needs can be more fruitful. There are tutorials below to get you started, but there is still much that can be learned as you figure out your specific needs. We will introduce you to Audacity since it is a robust, open-source, free software that you can download to you own computers if needed. There are supplementary readings on Audacity which is an Adobe product that is a bit more advanced.

Required

Audio Glossary
By Christopher Lynn
2025
Words: 5,304
~35 minutes
This glossary of terms should help you understand some of the jargon used in the field of audio and audio recording.
Analogue Audio Tape Editing
November 20, 2015
06:22
“Editing and splicing analogue audio tape using a vintage Revox reel-to-reel tape deck.”
How to Use Audacity to Record & Edit Audio | Beginners Tutorial
By Kevin Stratvert
April 5, 2021
38:26
“In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to record and edit audio using Audacity. Audacity is free and open source and works across platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.”
What are Audio Effects? Sound Basics with Stella – Episode 1
By Waves Audio
August 15, 2016
03:18
“What is reverb? What is delay? How about overdrive, fuzz or distortion? Watch audio engineer Stella Gotshtein guide you through the evolution of sound effects in music production.”
EQ Explained – Sound Basics with Stella Episode 2
By Waves Audio
November 22, 2016
05:20
“What is EQ? When and why do we use it? How can it change the sound of a single instrument or a full mix? Watch audio engineer Stella Gotshtein explain the importance of EQ in audio mixing.”
Reverb and Delay Explained – Sound Basics with Stella Episode 4
By Waves Audio
March 28, 2017
06:29
“Reverb and delay both create echo effects and are often used in recording and mixing. Watch audio engineer Stella Gotshtein demonstrate them on vocals and drum loops.”

Supplementary Readings

Audacity
Audacity Tutorials, LinkedIn Learning
Once you have logged in using your Provo City Library credentials, then you can click here, or do you own search for “Audacity.”
Adobe Audition
Learn Audition, Adobe
This series of relatively short video tutorials covers how to use Adobe's Audition, a professional tool for precision audio editing, mixing, and sound effects.
Learn How to Use Adobe Audition in 8 Minutes!
By Scott Luu
July 31, 2021
08:45
“This was a quick tutorial on how to get started with Adobe Audition.”
Adobe Audition Tutorials, LinkedIn Learning
Once you have logged in using your Provo City Library credentials, then you can click here, or do you own search for “Adobe Audition.”
Multi-channel Audio Editing
Multi-channel Audio Installation Guide
By Collin Bradford
Words: 1,621
~11 minutes

Collin Bradford wrote this guide specifically for BYU students using the equipment available through tech checkout. “How to use the MOTU UltraLite AVB audio interface with your software (Adobe Audition or Max/MSP) to control spatialization of sound in sound installations.”

Response Question

Remember to cite specific instances from the “readings” to support your views.

  • What are the most helpful things that you learned, and how might you use this in your own sound art projects?