Diploma in Sound Technology
Faculty: Creative Arts
Module: Sound Engineering 2B
Module Code: SE 220
STUDY GUIDE
,Table of Contents
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ v
List of Figures .......................................................................................................................vi
Module Information .............................................................................................................. vii
STUDY UNIT 1: UNDERSTANDING WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY ..................................... 1
1.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Wireless signals........................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Wireless transmitter and wireless receiver ................................................................... 1
1.4 Conclusion................................................................................................................... 4
Case Study: Cradlestone mall: Providing wireless coverage to South Africa’s latest green
design shopping mall ......................................................................................................... 4
STUDY UNIT 2: RADIO FUNDAMENTALS & BAND TECHNOLOGY ................................ 6
2.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Radio Fundamental (RF) terminology .......................................................................... 6
2.3 Ways to listen to radio ................................................................................................. 9
2.4 The theatre of the mind................................................................................................ 9
2.5 Tools of the trade....................................................................................................... 11
2.6 Radio output .............................................................................................................. 11
2.7 Radio and broadcast technicians ............................................................................... 12
2.8 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 15
Case Study: Superbrands case studies: Classic FM........................................................ 15
STUDY UNIT 3: RADIO TECHNOLOGY .......................................................................... 19
3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 19
3.2 Analogue & digital signals .......................................................................................... 19
3.3 Signal gain and loss .................................................................................................. 21
3.4 Decibel calculation..................................................................................................... 23
3.5 Bandwidth.................................................................................................................. 25
3.6 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 25
Case Study: Exalt delivers scalable bandwidth for Maywood school district 89 ............... 26
STUDY UNIT 4: RADIO BROADCAST TECHNOLOGY ................................................... 29
4.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 29
4.2 C-QUAM AM Stereo .................................................................................................. 29
4.3 How C-QUAM AM stereo works ................................................................................ 29
4.4 VHF FM ..................................................................................................................... 30
4.5 Pre-emphasis & De-emphasis ................................................................................... 31
4.6 VHF FM Broadcast stereo ......................................................................................... 32
4.7 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 35
Case Study: SA on path to digital radio ........................................................................... 35
i
, DTT dependent ............................................................................................................ 36
Previous trials .............................................................................................................. 37
STUDY UNIT 5: DIGITAL AUDIO PROTECTION AND RADIO ........................................ 38
5.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 38
5.2 DAB Digital Radio Technology................................................................................... 38
5.3 DAB band allocations ................................................................................................ 40
5.4 DAB radio equipment................................................................................................. 41
5.5 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 41
Case Study: ICASA makes headway with TV white space regulations ............................ 41
Successful trials ........................................................................................................... 42
Regulatory fit................................................................................................................ 42
STUDY UNIT 6: WIRELESS MICROPHONE TECHNOLOGY .......................................... 44
6.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 44
6.2 What is a wireless microphone? ................................................................................ 44
6.3 The background of wireless microphones .................................................................. 44
6.4 Radio frequencies used ............................................................................................. 45
6.5 Technical problems ................................................................................................... 45
6.6 Solutions to technical problems ................................................................................. 45
6.7 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 46
Case Study: Digital wireless and mics – It’s digital, so why bother?................................. 46
Why digital systems? ....................................................................................................... 46
What is the difference between analog FM and Digital modulation? ................................ 46
What are the disadvantages of digital wireless? .............................................................. 47
What does RFI from digital wireless sound like? .............................................................. 48
How to protect the microphone from a disturbing digitally modulated RF? ....................... 48
STUDY UNIT 7: MIXING .................................................................................................. 49
7.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 49
7.2 Setting up your audio mixing session ......................................................................... 49
7.3 Name the tracks and colour code them. .................................................................... 49
7.4 The right mix to work with .......................................................................................... 50
7.5 Using busses ............................................................................................................. 50
7.6 Balance the levels ..................................................................................................... 50
7.7 Panning ..................................................................................................................... 50
7.8 Equalization ............................................................................................................... 50
7.9 Filters ........................................................................................................................ 50
7.10 Carving EQ .............................................................................................................. 51
7.11 Compression ........................................................................................................... 51
ii
, 7.12 Reverberation .......................................................................................................... 51
7.13 Conclusion............................................................................................................... 51
Case Study: How and why you should use a reference track during mixing .................... 52
Describing Sound ............................................................................................................ 52
Big vs. Little ................................................................................................................. 52
Wide vs. Narrow – The Space...................................................................................... 52
Depth ........................................................................................................................... 52
Colour and Warmth ...................................................................................................... 53
Reference Tracks ............................................................................................................ 53
Why Only One Reference? .......................................................................................... 53
STUDY UNIT 8: AESTHETICS IN LIVE SOUND SYSTEM OPERATIONS ...................... 54
8.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 54
8.2 Aesthetics of music defined ....................................................................................... 54
8.3 Aesthetics and sound ................................................................................................ 54
8.4 Aesthetics in live sound environments ....................................................................... 54
8.5 Environmental aesthetics........................................................................................... 55
8.6 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 55
Case Study: Aesthetics vs Engineering ........................................................................... 56
STUDY UNIT 9: LIVE SOUND SYSTEMS AND ELECTRICITY ....................................... 59
9.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 59
9.2 The main power source ............................................................................................. 59
9.3 AC safety tips ............................................................................................................ 60
9.4 Power source integrity ............................................................................................... 60
9.5 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 61
Case Study: Why isn’t there a standard voltage around the world? ................................. 61
STUDY UNIT 10: SOUND IN ANIMATION ....................................................................... 63
10.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 63
10.2 Sound on picture ..................................................................................................... 63
10.3 Important names in animation sound ....................................................................... 63
10.4 Sound effects approaches ....................................................................................... 64
10.5 New technology, better sound ................................................................................. 64
10.6 Modern sound teams ............................................................................................... 64
10.7 Conclusion............................................................................................................... 64
Case Study: Early Shrek story reel reveals Chris Farley’s voice work.............................. 65
STUDY UNIT 11: SOUND IN FILM AND TELEVISION .................................................... 66
11.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 66
11.2 A little history: The development of technology and techniques ............................... 66
iii
Faculty: Creative Arts
Module: Sound Engineering 2B
Module Code: SE 220
STUDY GUIDE
,Table of Contents
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ v
List of Figures .......................................................................................................................vi
Module Information .............................................................................................................. vii
STUDY UNIT 1: UNDERSTANDING WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY ..................................... 1
1.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Wireless signals........................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Wireless transmitter and wireless receiver ................................................................... 1
1.4 Conclusion................................................................................................................... 4
Case Study: Cradlestone mall: Providing wireless coverage to South Africa’s latest green
design shopping mall ......................................................................................................... 4
STUDY UNIT 2: RADIO FUNDAMENTALS & BAND TECHNOLOGY ................................ 6
2.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Radio Fundamental (RF) terminology .......................................................................... 6
2.3 Ways to listen to radio ................................................................................................. 9
2.4 The theatre of the mind................................................................................................ 9
2.5 Tools of the trade....................................................................................................... 11
2.6 Radio output .............................................................................................................. 11
2.7 Radio and broadcast technicians ............................................................................... 12
2.8 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 15
Case Study: Superbrands case studies: Classic FM........................................................ 15
STUDY UNIT 3: RADIO TECHNOLOGY .......................................................................... 19
3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 19
3.2 Analogue & digital signals .......................................................................................... 19
3.3 Signal gain and loss .................................................................................................. 21
3.4 Decibel calculation..................................................................................................... 23
3.5 Bandwidth.................................................................................................................. 25
3.6 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 25
Case Study: Exalt delivers scalable bandwidth for Maywood school district 89 ............... 26
STUDY UNIT 4: RADIO BROADCAST TECHNOLOGY ................................................... 29
4.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 29
4.2 C-QUAM AM Stereo .................................................................................................. 29
4.3 How C-QUAM AM stereo works ................................................................................ 29
4.4 VHF FM ..................................................................................................................... 30
4.5 Pre-emphasis & De-emphasis ................................................................................... 31
4.6 VHF FM Broadcast stereo ......................................................................................... 32
4.7 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 35
Case Study: SA on path to digital radio ........................................................................... 35
i
, DTT dependent ............................................................................................................ 36
Previous trials .............................................................................................................. 37
STUDY UNIT 5: DIGITAL AUDIO PROTECTION AND RADIO ........................................ 38
5.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 38
5.2 DAB Digital Radio Technology................................................................................... 38
5.3 DAB band allocations ................................................................................................ 40
5.4 DAB radio equipment................................................................................................. 41
5.5 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 41
Case Study: ICASA makes headway with TV white space regulations ............................ 41
Successful trials ........................................................................................................... 42
Regulatory fit................................................................................................................ 42
STUDY UNIT 6: WIRELESS MICROPHONE TECHNOLOGY .......................................... 44
6.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 44
6.2 What is a wireless microphone? ................................................................................ 44
6.3 The background of wireless microphones .................................................................. 44
6.4 Radio frequencies used ............................................................................................. 45
6.5 Technical problems ................................................................................................... 45
6.6 Solutions to technical problems ................................................................................. 45
6.7 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 46
Case Study: Digital wireless and mics – It’s digital, so why bother?................................. 46
Why digital systems? ....................................................................................................... 46
What is the difference between analog FM and Digital modulation? ................................ 46
What are the disadvantages of digital wireless? .............................................................. 47
What does RFI from digital wireless sound like? .............................................................. 48
How to protect the microphone from a disturbing digitally modulated RF? ....................... 48
STUDY UNIT 7: MIXING .................................................................................................. 49
7.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 49
7.2 Setting up your audio mixing session ......................................................................... 49
7.3 Name the tracks and colour code them. .................................................................... 49
7.4 The right mix to work with .......................................................................................... 50
7.5 Using busses ............................................................................................................. 50
7.6 Balance the levels ..................................................................................................... 50
7.7 Panning ..................................................................................................................... 50
7.8 Equalization ............................................................................................................... 50
7.9 Filters ........................................................................................................................ 50
7.10 Carving EQ .............................................................................................................. 51
7.11 Compression ........................................................................................................... 51
ii
, 7.12 Reverberation .......................................................................................................... 51
7.13 Conclusion............................................................................................................... 51
Case Study: How and why you should use a reference track during mixing .................... 52
Describing Sound ............................................................................................................ 52
Big vs. Little ................................................................................................................. 52
Wide vs. Narrow – The Space...................................................................................... 52
Depth ........................................................................................................................... 52
Colour and Warmth ...................................................................................................... 53
Reference Tracks ............................................................................................................ 53
Why Only One Reference? .......................................................................................... 53
STUDY UNIT 8: AESTHETICS IN LIVE SOUND SYSTEM OPERATIONS ...................... 54
8.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 54
8.2 Aesthetics of music defined ....................................................................................... 54
8.3 Aesthetics and sound ................................................................................................ 54
8.4 Aesthetics in live sound environments ....................................................................... 54
8.5 Environmental aesthetics........................................................................................... 55
8.6 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 55
Case Study: Aesthetics vs Engineering ........................................................................... 56
STUDY UNIT 9: LIVE SOUND SYSTEMS AND ELECTRICITY ....................................... 59
9.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 59
9.2 The main power source ............................................................................................. 59
9.3 AC safety tips ............................................................................................................ 60
9.4 Power source integrity ............................................................................................... 60
9.5 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 61
Case Study: Why isn’t there a standard voltage around the world? ................................. 61
STUDY UNIT 10: SOUND IN ANIMATION ....................................................................... 63
10.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 63
10.2 Sound on picture ..................................................................................................... 63
10.3 Important names in animation sound ....................................................................... 63
10.4 Sound effects approaches ....................................................................................... 64
10.5 New technology, better sound ................................................................................. 64
10.6 Modern sound teams ............................................................................................... 64
10.7 Conclusion............................................................................................................... 64
Case Study: Early Shrek story reel reveals Chris Farley’s voice work.............................. 65
STUDY UNIT 11: SOUND IN FILM AND TELEVISION .................................................... 66
11.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 66
11.2 A little history: The development of technology and techniques ............................... 66
iii
