Analog connections are the foundation of a digital studio. Matt compares microphone, instrument, and speaker cables with 1/4" TS and TRS connectors, XLR connectors, and other plugs and jacks. Headphone connectors and other 1/8" plugs are also TRS connectors, where the two signals share a common ground connection.
- All digital audio involves the analog domain as well.…Because of this it's important to be familiar…with analog connections.…Let's talk about physical connectors and cables,…the types of signals passed along those cables,…and some rules of thumb about which connections…are used and when.…There are nearly infinite combinations of these…so we'll only go through a few common examples.…As I discussed in the video about signal flow,…there are three main categories…of the strength or level…of the electrical analog signal.…
Mic level, line level, and speaker level.…Mic level is the weakest of the three.…This is usually somewhere around…a few thousandths of a volt.…Very low voltage.…It can't shock you.…It's less powerful than even a small…watch battery.…For processing and mixing,…the weak mic level signal…needs a microphone preamplifier,…or mic preamp, to boost it up to line-level.…Line-level is still low voltage…and not dangerous but it's a good…deal stronger than mic level.…
It's usually a little less than one volt.…To play through a loudspeaker though,…
Author
Matt Mayfield
Released
4/22/2016The course starts with explanations of what sound really is and how we hear it, including discussions on frequency, amplitude, phase, and psychoacoustics. Matt explores analog audio signal path, explaining connections, gain staging, and metering. Next, he brings the audio signal into the digital domain, discussing analog to digital conversion, digital gain staging, file formats and compression, and dither.
Then the course digs into digital audio workstations (DAWs), explaining the concepts and misconceptions involved in digital recording systems. Matt describes how memory, CPU speed, and storage affect your DAW's performance, as well as how to manage computer resources and understand the plethora of file formats associated with digital recording. He follows with an overview of MIDI: how to generate, store, process, and communicate MIDI data. He wraps up with the audio processors that are often used for mixing in a DAW—including EQ, compressors, reverb, delay, and many others.
- What is sound?
- The three domains of sound: acoustic, analog, and digital
- The analog vs. digital signal paths
- Converting analog audio to digital
- Digital formats and data compression
- Understanding the five types of DAWs
- Recording performances with MIDI
- Mixing and processing audio with EQ, compression, and other effects
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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Welcome2m 2s
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1. Concepts of Sound
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What is sound made of?2m 51s
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Frequency and amplitude8m 21s
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Phase and time4m 37s
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How do we hear?6m 16s
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2. The Signal Path: Acoustic and Analog
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Overview of a signal path4m 20s
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Types of analog connections7m 54s
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Metering5m 52s
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3. The Signal Path: Digital
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Adding the digital domain3m 54s
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Analog to digital conversion7m 11s
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Dither6m 59s
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Digital to analog conversion9m 13s
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4. Digital Audio Workstations
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Introducing the DAW4m 51s
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Managing computer resources8m 57s
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5. MIDI
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How MIDI is communicated6m 18s
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Storing and processing MIDI3m 22s
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6. Mixing and Processing Audio
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Levels, pan, and automation6m 54s
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Types of EQ components7m 48s
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Reverb5m 55s
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Conclusion
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Next steps2m 15s
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Video: Types of analog connections