This thesis explores the sound recording aspects encountered on the creation of an album containing Rock music. It follows each project from the recording of the basic tracks through the final album mixes. Microphone technique, signal processing, studio setup, and instrument selection are also dealt with. This thesis documents two separate recording projects.

Dolby Surround technology offers consumers surround sound in their home via a 4:2:4 encode/decode matrix. Although originally intended for audio accompanying visual media, the system has potential as a music-only playback system. / The purpose of the thesis is to investigate this potential, particularly as it applies to acoustic music recording. Dolby Surround encode and decode technology and its relevance to acoustic music reproduction is reviewed. The classic stereo microphone techniques are discussed with particular attention paid to each one's theoretical ability to "encode" information for the Dolby Surround decoder. Practical limitations and benefits of these well-known methods are considered. / Recently proposed microphone techniques are reviewed in theory and in practice and are found to provide many solutions. Methods for optimizing the decoder technology for music reproduction are suggested. The paper is relevant to any acoustic recording application for a number of surround systems as well as for conventional stereo and mono.

In the search for improved reproduction of a classical music performance, the technique of time delay compensation is shown to be a useful tool for balance in recording. This paper investigates the importance and validity of small time adjustments in recordings to compensate for variation in distance between spot microphones and a main stereo pair. Conventional recording techniques, psychoacoustic considerations and technological aspects of the use of delays are researched in order to determine their validity in timbral improvement. / Multiple microphone set-ups are used to record both large orchestral works and smaller-scale classical compositions where auxiliary microphones may be needed to ensure an optimum balance in the final mix. Small time delays are derived from calculations involving the distances between microphones, the speed of sound, and humidity and temperature readings from the hall. Proper synchronization of these delays is desirable to preserve phase coherence and combat comb-filter effects. Precise delay units are used to compile musical exerpts for listening tests. / The results reveal any change in sound quality and provide a basis for investigating both the positive and negative effects through objective study of the value of time delay compensation in the live recording reproduction of classical music performances.

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No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Mus.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

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Thesis (MPhil (Music))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the role of natural or realistic audio recordings in popular music in the context of the different nature of popular music where the goal is not necessarily the recreation of the original acoustic space. Traditional microphone techniques are investigated from the perspective of the identifiable characteristics of popular music to establish the role of microphone techniques to obtain a desired outcome. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die rol van natuurlike of realistiese klankopnames in populêre musiek in die lig daarvan dat die aard van populêre opnames verskil van reproduksie wat poog om die opnameruimte akoesties te herskep. Tradisionele mikrofoontegnieke word bestudeer vanuit die hoek van die identifiseerbare eienskappe van populêre musiek om te bepaal watter rol mikrofoontegniek kan speel om ’n verlangde uitkoms te bewerkstellig.