Audio By Design
Mary C. Gruszka is a systems design engineer, project manager, consultant and writer based in the New York metro area. She can be reached via
TV Technology.
Serial Multichannel Audio Digital Interface
by Mary C. Gruszka, 10.15.2008
So why not multiplex a bunch of AES3 channels together to make it easier to wire among studios, control rooms, and central equipment rooms for digital audio consoles and routing switchers, and between stage boxes and mixing More...
The Function of Channel Status
by Mary C. Gruszka, 08.20.2008
The channel status bits provide a wealth of information about its associated audio channel, which can be used by an AES receiver/decoder for subsequent processing. More...
Demystifying AES3 Digital Audio
by Mary C. Gruszka, 02.20.2008
We casually speak of digital audio, often referring to it as AES audio, perhaps AES3 (for the number of the AES standard), or by an older term AES/EBU. But what exactly is this AES3 signal? More...
The Sound of Love in ‘One Six Right’
by Mary C. Gruszka, 12.19.2007
“You can make a love story about anything, and in this case it’s a long piece of pavement in the middle of the San Fernando Valley in southern California that has the name ‘One Six Right.’ And for me the way to do that was to More...
Sound Design for ‘One Six Right’ Part 1
by Mary C. Gruszka, 11.21.2007
While Audio by Design usually examines issues relating to audio systems design and engineering, this month we’re going to look at another aspect of design—sound design—for the high-definition documentary feature “One Six Right,” More...
Understanding Consumer Digital Audio Formats
by Mary C. Gruszka, 09.19.2007
Last time we looked at the standards for the professional digital audio interface, AES3-2003 and SMPTE276M, as well as an AES information document, AES-3id-2001 (r2006). AES3 describes a balanced interface using 110 ohm shielded More...
5.1 Audio for HD: YES Case Study, Part I
by Mary C. Gruszka, 06.27.2007
When designing and building an HD facility, the video part can be relatively simple compared to audio. More...
Searching for a Surround Sound Audio Console
by Mary C. Gruszka, 04.02.2007
With NAB2007 fast approaching, here are some tips to help in your search for a surround sound mixing system. More...
5.1 Source Channels for Digital Audio Consoles
by Mary C. Gruszka, 01.24.2007
Last time we looked at some general characteristics of digital consoles. Now we will look more closely at those specifically needed for surround sound mixing. More...
Microphones With Switchable Polar Patterns
by Mary C. Gruszka, 10.18.2006
It is consistent with what I've learned, taught and lived with through the years: slits behind the microphone diaphragm allow the sound to enter and create acoustic cancellations. More...
Listening With Nature's Gear to Fix Audio
by Mary C. Gruszka, 08.23.2006
As much as I like test and measurement equipment, sometimes the best troubleshooting tools for a job are two good ears and the gray matter between them. More...
What to Do About Microphone Pet Peeves
by Mary C. Gruszka, 06.28.2006
An Audio By Design reader named "Bro Duke," writes in about his microphone pet peeve, "their lack of internal filters. More...
Understanding Microphone Specifications
by Mary C. Gruszka, 04.03.2006
While microphones may not have the same glitz factor as some of the new digital audio recording devices to be unveiled at NAB2006, they are first in line in capturing a quality acoustic audio signal, with appropriate frequency More...
The Importance of Spec Design, Part 2
by Mary C. Gruszka, 01.25.2006
Last time we started to take a critical look at audio specifications by using as an example, a particular audio mixer with both digital and analog inputs and outputs. Most of the inputs and outputs on this console are analog, More...