Investigating Audio Production and Technology:
Exercise 2:

a. Why is music and sound FX so important within games development?

Music and sound FX are important in games development because it allows the player to experience a specific mood / atmosphere. For example if the player is currently in a dangerous area, the music will create a sense of danger, fear, suspense etc. using a variety of different sounds. Music can also help to give the player an understanding of a situation or to help the visualise the current scene, it makes the game more immersive.

b. What is waveform, (wavelength, amplitude, frequency); pitch; Hertz (Hz); decibel level (dB); sound generator (loudspeaker)?

Waveform is the shape and form of a signal or sound at a given time.
- Wavelength is the distance between waves
- Amplitude effects how loud or how quiet a sound wave is
- Frequency is the number of wave cycles that occur in one second, essentially how frequent the sound is

Pitch is the quality that makes it possible to judge if sounds are 'high-pitched' or 'low-pitched'
- Hertz is the measurement of frequency
- Decibel (DB) is used to measure sound level
- A sound generator is an object which produces sound through vibrations such as a loudspeaker

c. What is Foley?

Foley is the reproduction of everyday sounds such as glass breaking, walking through leaves, speech, etc. This enhances the audio quality and makes the sound clearer for the viewer, avoiding distortion in the sound that might have been there if the sounds were recorded live, e.g. wind or other background noises. It is essentially artificial sound.