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...
Decoding Timeslots For AES3, Part 4
by Mary C. Gruszka, 06.25.2008
There are a few more parts of the AES3 bitstream that still need to be discussed—the timeslots for the digital audio signal, as well as the user and channel status bits. More...
Deconstructing Digital Audio Subframes, Part 3
by Mary C. Gruszka, 04.14.2008
The AES3 digital audio signal is composed of frames, with each frame containing a digital sample from each of two audio channels. More...
Unlocking the Mystery Of AES3 Digital Audio, Part 2
by Mary C. Gruszka, 04.02.2008
When bits are transmitted in sequence, there has to be a way for a receiver to recognize the value of each bit, know where each digital word (audio sample) starts and ends, and where to find and how to interpret any other types 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...