Sound Recording And Reproduction

Term Paper Title	Sound Recording And Reproduction
# of Words	1054
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	4.22

Sound Recording and Reproduction

Sound recording and reproduction can be defined as keeping sound in the form it was meant to be, by the use of electrical, mechanical, or optical means, or by combination of the three.  This makes reproducing the sound much easier.  You can reproduce the sound at will through stereo systems. The sound quality of a recording is usually decided by the fidelity of the recorded sounds.  The best recordings are called high fidelity.   They reproduce the original sounds with a minimal change.  High fidelity is also used to describe the equipment that reproduces a hi-fi recording without loss of fidelity from the original.  The most common forms of sound recording are phonograph records, magnetic tapes, and motion picture sound tracks.
The first recording processes involved the use of an electrical analog, or in simple terms an electric current that is varied in frequency and amplitude in correspondence to the original sound.  The electric current is modulated by the sound by way of a microphone or transducer.  An artificial analog may be created by synthesis, as in an electronic organ.  This signal is then amplified by means of an amplifier to a value that is sufficient enough to actuate the recording mechanism.  A magnetic recording can be made and then played back using a tape recorder.  The electrical signal is given to an iron-core electromagnet called a recording head, while a magnetically covered tape is being run past the head.
The two basic types of sound recording are monaural and stereophonic.  The monaural or mono recording involves the recording of a sound that is picked up by microphone, amplified, and then played back through a single loudspeaker system.  The stereophonic or stereo recording process is basically the same process performed with two complete systems from microphones to loudspeakers.  A more complicated form of stereo recording is quadraphonic recording, which is a process done with four complete systems.
Audio recording engineers that work in recording studios first discuss what style and kinds of music that they would like, with the musicians or producers.  They then set up and test microphones, chords, amplifiers, and recording equipment.  They decide the best way to record the musicians or band, by either isolating instruments or vocalists in separate soundproof rooms or by placing them in certain spots.  Once recording has begun, they listen in the studio through headphones and watch control panel meters to make sure music, voices, and other sounds will work well together.  Engineers often make multiple recordings or copies of a song so that they will be able to mix the best aspects of each song together to make one perfect version.  They work with other producers, engineers, and the musicians to create this final version of the song.  Audio recording engineers are also in charge of maintaining and repairing the sound equipment and controls in the recording studio.  Recording engineers who work in television sometimes travel to places outside the studio to set up and run sound equipment used in on the spot interviews, sports events, or live news reports.  Most radio and television stations operate on a twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week schedule.  This means the engineers may work l...

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