Digital Audio

Digital Audio and Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) provide all individuals with the opportunity to be creative, regardless of their level of music competency. Bauer (2014) states in "Music Learning Today" that by using "loops, MIDI, and digital audio" (p. 64), the product that is created by the user is left up to their own imagination. Since programs like this do not emphasize musical notation as seen in Sibelius, Finale, or MuseScore, users are able to arrange songs that are unique and sophisticated using prerecorded sounds. Since "melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, dynamic, temporal, and timbral elements of music can be explored and varied" (Bauer, 2014, p. 64) on DAWs, the possibilities are endless! One of the best parts about these programs is that users can create, mix, and/or change loops immediately and safely because the original file remains unaltered in the program's library. Another key feature is that these programs will allow users to include their own sound files, whether it be vocal, instrumental, or sound effects, in order to personalize their songs. As an educator, the most exciting part about programs such as Soundation, is that it "advocates for allowing students to compose without notation" which will "often speak to the large percentage of students who have an interest in music but are not involved in school music programs" (Bauer, 2014, p. 60). High-quality sound files such as WAV and MP3 can be produced using these programs, which will provide the opportunity for the user to keep and share his song on his iphone, iPod, and/or other digital music device.

In regard to sound files, there are many forms of sound files that exist in the digital world, but what is the difference? Often times I will select whatever file type I know will compress a song so it is small enough to email, but I am unaware of what this actually does to the track. Bauer (2014) informs that WAV and AIFF are lossless compressions, which create "an exact reproduction of the original sound source" (p. 31).  Lossy compression files such as MP3, AAC, and WMA, however, remove "audio data deemed unimportant to the original sound" (Bauer, 2014, p. 31) and the eliminated data is not recoverable. As I read this, my curious and mechanical mind began to wonder what exactly this unimportant data would be. 

This YouTube Video discusses the difference between the two compression types and explains that regardless of what file type is used, it is extremely difficult to hear any major sound difference. This video does well at demonstrating exactly what the unimportant sounds are that will not be included in a song when compressed to a lossy audio file like MP3. I prefer the sound of the WAV file since it produces a natural sound as if an artist was performing live in a recording studio. For most educational purposes, however, a smaller sound file is just simply more practical. For example, if I have my students use a lossless compression file for their performance recordings, there will be no way for my Google account to store the massive size of the files. Now that I have a better understanding of the different, I will be more considerate as to which compression file I use, or ask for, as I begin to use incorporate more technology into my classroom. The decision may be based on the project; Am I looking for the absolute best sound quality, or am I looking for practicality in regard to storage space?