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Audio Engineering: Know It All

  • 1st Edition, Volume 1 - September 29, 2008
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Douglas Self, Ben Duncan, Ian Sinclair, Richard Brice, John Linsley Hood, Andrew Singmin, Don Davis, Eugene Patronis, John Watkinson
  • Language: English

The Newnes Know It All Series takes the best of what our authors have written to create hard-working desk references that will be an engineer's first port of call for key in… Read more

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Description

The Newnes Know It All Series takes the best of what our authors have written to create hard-working desk references that will be an engineer's first port of call for key information, design techniques and rules of thumb. Guaranteed not to gather dust on a shelf!

Audio engineers need to master a wide area of topics in order to excel. The Audio Engineering Know It All covers every angle, including digital signal processing, power supply design, microphone and loudspeaker technology as well as audio compression.

Key features

  • A 360-degree view from our best-selling authors
  • Includes such topics as fundamentals, compression, and test and measurement
  • The ultimate hard-working desk reference; all the essential information, techniques and tricks of the trade in one volume

Readership

Electronics Engineers; Audio Engineers and Technicians

Table of contents

Part I Fundamentals of Sound

Chapter 1 Audio Principles

1.1 The physics of sound

1.2 Wavelength

1.3 Periodic and aperiodic signals

1.4 Sound and the ear

1.5 The cochlea

1.6 Mental processes

1.7 Level and loudness

1.8 Frequency discrimination

1.9 Frequency response and linearity

1.10 The sine wave

1.11 Root mean square measurements

1.12 The deciBel

1.13 Audio level metering
References
Chapter 2. Measurement

2.1 Concepts Underlying the Decibel and Its Use in Sound Systems

2.2 Measuring Electrical Power

2.3 Expressing Power as an Audio Level

2.4 Conventional Practice

2.5 The Decibel in Acoustics—LP, LW, and LI

2.6 Acoustic Intensity Level (LI), Acoustic Power Level (LW), and Acoustic Pressure Level (LP)

2.7 Inverse Square Law

2.8 Directivity Factor

2.9 Ohm’s Law

2.10 A Decibel Is a Decibel Is a Decibel

2.11 Older References

2.12 The Equivalent Level (LEQ) in Noise Measurements

2.13 Combining Decibels

2.14 Combining Voltage

2.15 Using the Log Charts

2.16 Finding the Logarithm of a Number to Any Base

2.17 Semitone Intervals

2.18 System Gain Changes

2.19 The VU and the VI Instrument

2.20 Calculating the Number of Decades in a Frequency Span

2.21 Deflection of the Eardrum at Various Sound Levels

2.22 The Phon

2.23 The Tempered Scale

2.24 Measuring Distortion

2.25 The Acoustical Meaning of Harmonic Distortion

2.26 Playback Systems in Studios

2.27 Decibels and Percentages

2.28 Summary
Bibliography
Chapter 3 Acoustic Environment

3.1 The Acoustic Environment

3.2 Inverse Square Law

3.3 Atmospheric Absorption

3.4 Velocity of Sound

3.5 Temperature-Dependent Velocity

3.6 The Effect of Altitude on the Velocity of Sound in Air

3.7 Typical Wavelengths

3.8 Doppler Effect

3.9 Reflection and Refraction

3.10 Effect of a Space Heater on Flutter Echo

3.11 Absorption

3.12 Classifying Sound Fields

3.13 The Acoustic Environment Indoors

3.14 Conclusion
II. Audio Electronics
Chapter 4 Components

4.1 Building Block Components
Chapter 5 Power supply design

5.1 High Power Systems

5.2. Solid State Rectifiers

5.3. Music Power

5.4. Influence of Signal Type on Power Supply Design

5.5. High Current Power Supply Systems

5.6. Half-wave and Full-wave Rectification

5.7. DC Supply Line Ripple Rejection

5.8. Voltage Regulator Systems

5.9. Series Regulator Layouts

5.10. Over-current Protection

5.11. Integrated Circuit (Three Terminal) Voltage Regulator ICs

5.12. Typical Contemporary Commercial Practice

5.13. Battery Supplies

5.14. Switch-mode Power Supplies

III Preamplifiers and Amplifiers
Chapter 6 Introduction to Audio Amplification
CHAPTER 7 Preamplifiers and input signals

7.1 REQUIREMENTS

7.2 SIGNAL VOLTAGE AND IMPEDANCE LEVELS

7.3 GRAMOPHONE PICK-UP INPUTS

7.4 INPUT CIRCUITRY

7.5 MOVING COIL PU HEAD AMPLIFIER DESIGN

7.6 CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS

7.7 INPUT CONNECTIONS

7.8 INPUT SWITCHING

7.9 Voltage amplifiers and controls

7.10 PREAMPLIFIER STAGES

7.11 LINEARITY

7.12 NOISE LEVELS

7.13 OUTPUT VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS

7.14 VOLTAGE AMPLIFIER DESIGN

7.15 CONSTANT-CURRENT SOURCES AND 'CURRENT MIRRORS'

7.16 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

7.17 AUDIBILITY OF DISTORTION

7.18 GENERAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

7.19 CONTROLS
Chapter 8 Interfacing and processing

8.1 The Input

8.2 RF filtration

8.3 The balanced input

8.4 Sub-sonic protection and high-pass filtering

8.5 Damageprotection

8.6 What are process functions?

8.7 Computer control
Chapter 9 Audio amplifiers

9.1. Junction Transistors

9.2. Control of Operating Bias

9.3. Stage Gain

9.4. Basic Junction Transistor Circuit Configurations

9.5. Emitter-follower Systems

9.6. Thermal Dissipation Limits

9.6. Junction Field Effect Transistors (JFETs)

9.7. Insulated Gate FETs (MOSFETs)

9.8. Power BJTs vs. Power MOSFETs as Amplifier Output Devices

9.9. U and D MOSFETs

9.10. Useful Circuit Components

9.11. Circuit Oddments

9.12. Slew Rate Limiting
Chapter 10 Audio amplifier performance

10.1 A brief history of amplifiers

10.2 Amplifier architectures

10.3 The three-stage architecture

10.4 Power amplifier classes

10.5 AC- and DC-coupled amplifiers

10.6 Negative feedback in power amplifiers
References
Chapter 11. Valve (tube-based) amplifiers

11.1 Valves or Vacuum Tubes

11.2 Solid State Devices

11.3 VALVE AUDIO AMPLIFIER LAYOUTS

11.4 Single-ended vs. Push–pull Operation

11.5 Phase Splitters

11.6 Output Stages

11.7 Output (Load-matching) Transformer

11.8 Effect of Output Load Impedance

11.9 Available Output Power
Chapter 12 Negative feedback

12.1 Amplifier stability and NFB

12.2 Maximising the NFB

12.3 Maximising linearity before feedback

12.4 References
Chapter 13 Noise and grounding

13.1. Audio amplifier PCB design

13.2. Amplifier grounding

13.3. Ground loops: how they work and how to deal with them

13.4 Class I and Class II

13.5 Mechanical layout and design considerations
Part IV Digital Audio
Chapter 14 Digital audio fundamentals

14.1 Audio as data

14.2 What is an audio signal?

14.3 Why binary?

14.4 Why digital?

14.5 Some digital audio processes outlined

14.6 Time compression and expansion

14.7 Error correction and concealment

14.8 Channel coding

14.9 Audio compression

14.10 Disk-based recording

14.11 Rotary-head digital recorders

14.12 Digital audio broadcasting

14.13 Networks
Chapter 15 Representation of Audio Signals

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Analogue and Digital

15.3 Elementary Logical Processes

15.4 The Significance of Bits and Bobs

15.5 Transmitting Digital Signals

15.6 The Analogue Audio Waveform

15.7 Arithmetic

15.8 Digital Filtering

15.9 Other Binary Operations

15.10 Sampling and Quantising

15.12 Transform and Masking Coders

15.13 Bibliography

15.14 Other titles of interest
Chapter 16.Compact disc

16.1 PROBLEMS WITH DIGITAL ENCODING

16.2 THE RECORD-REPLAY SYSTEM

16.3 THE REPLAY SYSTEM

16.4 ERROR CORRECTION
Chapter 17 Digital audio recording basics

17.1 Types of Media

17.2 Recording Media Compared

17.3 Some Digital Audio Processes Outlined

17.4 Hard Disc Recorders

17.5 The PCM Adaptor

17.6 An Open Reel Digital Recorder

17.7 Rotary Head Digital Recorders

17.8 Digital Compact Cassette

17.9 Editing Digital Audio Tape
Chapter 18 Digital audio interfaces

18.1 Digital audio interfaces

18.2 MADI (AES10–1991) serial multi-channel audio digital interface
Chapter 19 Data compression

19.1 Lossless compression

19.2 Intermediate compression systems

19.3 Psychoacoustic masking systems

19.4 MPEG layer 1 compression (PASC)

19.5 MPEG layer 2 audio coding (MUSICAM)

19.6 MPEG layer 3

19.7 MPEG-4

19.8 Digital audio production
Chapter 20 Digital audio production

20.1 Digital audio workstations (DAWs)

20.2 Audio data files

20.3 Sound cards

20.4 PCI bus versus ISA bus

20.5 Disks and other peripheral hardware

20.6 Hard drive interface standards

20.7 Digital noise generation – chain-code generators

20.8 Notes

Chapter 21 Other Digital Audio Devices

21.1 Video Recorders

21.2 HDCD

21.3 CD Writers

21.4 MPEG Systems

21.5 MP3

21.6 Transcribing a Recording by Computer

21.7 WAV Onwards

21.8 DAM CD

21.9 DVD and Audio
V. Microphone and Loudspeaker Technology
Chapter 22 Microphone technology

22.1 Microphone Sensitivity

22.2 Microphone Selection

22.3 Nature of Response and Directional Characteristics

22.3 Wireless Microphones

22.4 Microphone Connectors, Cables, and Phantom Power

22.5 Measurement Microphones

22.6 Bibliography

29.17. References
Chapter 23 Loudspeakers

23.1 Radiation of Sound

23.2 Characteristic Impedance

23.3 Radiation Impedance

23.4 Radiation from a Piston

23.5 Directivity

23.6. Sound Pressure Produced at Distance r

23.6. Electrical Analogue

23.7. Diaphragm/Suspension Assembly

23.8. Diaphragm Size

23.9. Diaphragm Profile

23.10. Straight-Sided Cones

23.11 Material

23.12 Soft Domes

23.13 Suspensions

23.14 Voice Coil

23.15 Moving Coil Loudspeaker

23.16 Motional Impedance
Chapter 24 Loudspeaker enclosures

24.1 Loudspeakers

24.2 The interrelation of components
Chapter 25 Headphones

25.1 A Brief History

25.2 Pros and Cons of Headphone Listening

25.3 Headphone Types

25.4 Basic Headphone Types

25.5 Measuring Headphones

25.6 The Future
Part VI. Sound Reproduction Systems
Chapter 26 Tape Recording

26.1 Introduction

26.2 Magnetic theory

26.3 The physics of magnetic recording

26.4 Bias

26.5 Equalisation

26.6 Tape speed

26.7 Speed stability

26.8 Recording formats – analogue machines
Chapter 27 Recording consoles

27.1 Introduction

27.2 Standard levels and level meters

27.3 Standard operating levels and line-up tones

27.4 Digital line-up

27.5 Sound mixer architecture and circuit blocks

27.6 Audio mixer circuitry

27.7 Mixer automation

27.8 Digital consoles

27.9 Note
Chapter 28 Video synchronization

28.1. Introduction

28.2. Persistence of vision

28.3. Cathode ray tube and raster scanning

28.4. Television signal

28.5. Colour perception

28.6. Colour television

28.7. Analogue video interfaces

28.8. Digital video

28.9. Embedded digital audio in the digital video interface

28.10. Timecode

28.11. Notes
Chapter 29 Room acoustics

29.1 Introduction

29.2 Noise Control

29.3 Studio and Control Room Acoustics
Reference
Part VII Audio Test and Measurement
CHAPTER 30 Fundamentals and instruments

30.1 INSTRUMENT TYPES

30.2 SIGNAL GENERATORS

30.3 ALTERNATIVE WAVEFORM TYPES

30.4 DISTORTION MEASUREMENT










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Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Volume: 1
  • Published: March 6, 2009
  • Language: English

About the authors

DS

Douglas Self

Douglas Self has a worldwide reputation as a leading authority on audio amplifier design, but it is perhaps less well known that he has devoted a good deal of study to small-signal circuitry, including many years as the chief design engineer at one of the major mixing console manufacturers, where his achievements included winning a Design Council Award. His rigorous, skeptical, and thoroughly practical approach to design has been applied to the small signal area as well, and some of the results to be found in this book. Senior designer of high-end audio amplifiers and contributor to Electronics World magazine, Douglas has worked with many top audio names, including Cambridge Audio, TAG-McLaren Audio, and Soundcraft Electronics.
Affiliations and expertise
Senior designer of high-end audio amplifiers; Contributor to Electronics World magazine

BD

Ben Duncan

Ben Duncan is well known to many users of audio power amplifiers around the world, both professional and domestic, through his hundreds of articles, reviews and research papers on music technology in the UK and US press, and through his part in creating several notable professional power amplifiers.Since 1977, he has been involved in the design of over 70 innovative, high-end audio products used by recording and broadcast studios, on stages, in clubs and by the most critical domestic listeners - as well as creating bespoke equipment for top musicians. Born in London, he has travelled widely but has lived mainly in Lincolnshire, home of his family for over 150 years. Outside a wide spectrum of music and festivals his interests include managing an organic garden, woodland and nature reserve; industrial archaeology, historic building restoration, psychic research, and 20th century political, social and engineering history. He is twice co-author of the book Rock Hardware in which he has chronicled the history of rock’n’roll PA.
Affiliations and expertise
International consultant in high quality Audio Electronics, Pro & Hi-Fi; and prolific equipment designer

IS

Ian Sinclair

Ian Sinclair was born in 1932 in Tayport, Fife, and graduated from the University of St. Andrews in 1956. In that year, he joined the English Electric Valve Co. in Chelmsford, Essex, to work on the design of specialised cathode-ray tubes, and later on small transmitting valves and TV transmitting tubes. In 1966, he became an assistant lecturer at Hornchurch Technical College, and in 1967 joined the staff of Braintree College of F.E. as a lecturer. His first book, “Understanding Electronic Components” was published in 1972, and he has been writing ever since, particularly for the novice in Electronics or Computing. The interest in computing arose after seeing a Tandy TRS80 in San Francisco in 1977, and of his 204 published books, about half have been on computing topics, starting with a guide to Microsoft Basic on the TRS80 in 1979. He left teaching in 1984 to concentrate entirely on writing, and has also gained experience in computer typesetting, particularly for mathematical texts. He has recently visited Seattle to see Microsoft at work, and to remind them that he has been using Microsoft products longer than most Microsoft employees can remember. Ian Sinclair is the author of the following Made Simple books: Lotus 1-2-3- (2.4 DOS version) MS-DOS (up to version 6.22) PagePlus for Windows 3.1 Hard drives He is also the author of many other books published under our Newnes imprint.Visit Ian's website at http://website.lineone.net/~ian_sinclair
Affiliations and expertise
Long-standing technical author, UK

RB

Richard Brice

Commercial Director of Miranda Technologies, a global company specialising in television and channel-branding equipment. Worked previously as a senior designer in several of Britain’s top broadcast companies. Previously Richard worked for Pro Bel where he designed the Freeway product series. For this he was cited in Post Update magazine as “one of the twelve disciples of TV design”. Richard was also responsible for the stereo enhancement system `Francinstien’ and the ‘OM’ three-dimensional stereo system. Both these systems have been used on many records, tapes and CDs as well as on television and film scores.Richard is author of Multimedia and Virtual Reality, Music Engineering and Newnes Guide to Digital Television.Director, Electric Perception Ltd
Affiliations and expertise
Commercial Director of Miranda Technologies, a global company specialising in television and channel-branding equipment in Saint-Laurent, Canada

JH

John Linsley Hood

John Linsley Hood (1925-2004) was head of the electronics research laboratories at British cellophane, for nearly 25 years. He worked on many instrumentation projects including width gauges and moisture meters, and made several inventions which were patented under the Cellophane name. Prior to his work at British Cellophane he worked in the electronics laboratory of the Department of Atomic Energy at Sellafield, Cumbria. He studied at Reading University after serving in the military as a radar mechanic. Linsley Hood published more than 30 technical feature articles in Wireless World magazine and its later incarnation Electronics World. He also contributed to numerous magazines including Electronics Today.
Affiliations and expertise
(1925-2004) Independent Technical Author; Formerly at Department of Atomic Energy at Sellafield, Cumbria

AS

Andrew Singmin

Most recently Quality Assurance Manager at Accelerix in Ottawa, Canada. Currently working as an ISO 9000 Quality Assurance Manager for Conexant Systems Inc. in Ottawa, Canada.Over 25 years of experience in electronics/semiconductor device technology.Has written for Popular Electronics and the Electronics Handbook, as well asBeginning Analog Electronics Through Projects, 2E and Beginning Digital Electronics Through Projects, Modern Electronics Soldering Techniques,Dictionary of Modern Electronics Technology, and Practical Audio Amplifiercircuit Projects
Affiliations and expertise
ISO 9000 Quality Assurance Manager for Conexant Systems Inc. in Ottawa, Canada

DD

Don Davis

Don Davis and his wife, Carolyn, founded Synergetic Audio Concepts in 1972, he later retired in 1995. Don is a Senior member of the IEEE, Fellow of the AES and has received the Heyser Award, Life Time Achievement Award from NSCA and from USITT, Recognition for participation in the Brussels World Fair 1958 from the U.S. Dept. of State, and for the U.S. Exhibition in Moscow in 1959.
Affiliations and expertise
Founder of Synergetic Audio Concepts

EP

Eugene Patronis

Eugene Patronis is Professor of Physics Emeritus at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He has also served as an industrial and governmental consultant in the fields of acoustics and electronics.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Physics Emeritus at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

JW

John Watkinson

John Watkinson is an independent international consultant in advanced applications of electronics to audiovisual and avionics systems. He is a Fellow of the AES, a member of the Society of Expert Witnesses, and the British Computer Society and is a chartered information systems practitioner. He presents lectures, seminars and training courses worldwide. He is the author of many other Elsevier books, including The Art of DigitalVideo, An Introduction to Digital Video, Convergence in Broadcast and Communications Media, Television Fundamentals and The Art of the Helicopter.
Affiliations and expertise
Reading, UK; International consultant in audio, video and data recording