This best-selling book introduces you to the principles of sound, perception, audio technology and systems. Whilst offering vital reading for audio students and trainee engineers, this guide is ideal for anyone concerned with audio, sound and recording, beginners and professionals alike. Comprehensive and easy to understand, this fifth edition is bang up to date, with expanded information on digital audio principles, systems and applications, as well as an extensively updated chapter on MIDI and synthetic audio control. It provides a thorough introduction to the subject in an easy to read, clearly illustrated form. The Fact Files give succinct information on the areas covered, address key points and aid learning process. It covers the latest digital audio technology, including MP3, networking and file formats.

Table of Contents

Fact file directory; Preface; What is Sound?; Auditory perception; Microphones; Loudspeakers; Mixers; Analogue recording; Noise reduction; Digital audio principles; Digital recording and editing systems; Digital audio applications; Power amplifiers; Lines and interconnection; Outboard equipment; MIDI and synthetic audio control; Time code and synchronisation; Two-channel stereo Surround Sound; Glossary of terms; Appendices.

Author Biography

Professor of Sound Recording at the University of Surrey (UK) and a Visiting Professor at the School of Music in Pitea (Sweden). Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society and a regular contributor to the AES Journal. Formerly Deputy Head of sound at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester (UK) and has since worked at Klark Teknik and the RSC.