Unit 10: Essay Structure and Compiled Notes

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Essay Structure

Introduction (150 words)

Mono (400 words)

Stereo (400 words)

Surround (400 words)

Atmos (400 words)

Conclusion (150 words)


Compiled Notes -  

Introduction (150 words) - 

The different sound systems are available today.  

Brief description of the evolution not going into much detail.  


Mono (400 words) - 

Invented late 19th century 

Mono is one channel. 

All audio is the same, no panning. 

No directions perceived by the listener. 

Standard format during late nineteenth and early twentieth century 

Used on radios, records, cinemas 

Advantages: Simplicity and reliability, it was easier and cheaper back then,  

Limitations: Could not imitate spatial sounds. This led to stereophonic sound being invented to give a more realistic, natural sound. 


Stereo (400 words) - 

Invented in 1931, Alan Blumlein. 

Two separate audio channels, left and right 

Allows listeners to perceive space giving a more natural, realistic sound to the songs. 

The concept is based on how humans naturally hear (sound source localization). Stereo replicates it by using two channels to distribute the sound between different positions in the stereo field.  

Panning is important and allows you to choose the blend between the left and right speakers for the tracks. Helps create clarity and helps the listener distinguish instruments and sounds easier.  

Speaker positioning and diagrams 

Speaker blends to trick the brain 

Stereo started being used in the late 50s and 60s and quickly became the standard format used in the music industry and cinemas with home audio equipment being developed with the rise of stereo sound use. 

Benefits – Immersive, natural and realistic sound, clarity in the tracks.  

Limitations – Only gives left-right sound. No surround sound. More expensive to do back in the 60s since they’d have to pay for extra tracks.  


Surround (400 words) -  

Its invention – why was it invented (stereo didn’t offer true immersion. When was it invented (1930/40s but released to consumer’s market in 80s, also used in cinemas from the 40s for some films). Who invented it? (Walt Disney pioneered it with Fantasia using 54 speakers. However Ray Dolby invented Dolby stereo, then Dolby Digital, then Dolby Atmos. 

How does it work. (Relying on timing, reverb, volume; similar to Stereo in this sense).  

Layout (5.1, 7.1, which speakers for each? Where are the speakers, what roles do they play) 

Commonly used in home theatres, cinemas, and video games. How sound is positioned for films (Dialogue usually put in center with music and noises put in other speakers).  

Drawbacks – Limits flexibility since surround sound is still a channel-based system. Dolby Atmos invented in 2012. No height system meaning it only allowed for 2D immersion being on the X and Z axis. 


Dolby Atmos (400 words) -  

Invented in 2012 by Dolby 

Object-based sound system. Stores sound as objects using metadata. 

New Height system using overheads allowing for full 3D immersion 

Where is it used 

System setups 

Benefits: More immersive, object-based, more precise, smoother, allows for full 3D movement, can be used in lots of situations (Cinema, home entertainment, gaming, films, music, etc.), can adapt between different devices. 

Limitations / Drawbacks: Cost and installation for full systems. 


Conclusion (150 words) -  

Concluding how the sound systems have changed for the better and how they can keep changing. (Looking to improve it through AI changing sound systems from hardware to software that understands and adapts to context, emotions, and environments) 

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