Assignment 03

Question 1 of 4 (40.0 Points)

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PURCHASE

You are a blue grass band leader which comprises of a banjo, double bass, lap steel
guitar, lead vocalist and a minimal drum kit (snare,hi-hat and bass drum). The band
collectively decided to enter SA’s Got Talent. The first round of the audition stage
requires every participant to send in a demo. The band has been doing a few paying
gigs and in the band’s bank account is R40,000 to purchase recording studio equipment.
For this you will need digital audio equipment that can be used for both the making and
editing of live recordings.

Your task: Describe what hardware and software you will buy in a detailed essay.

• You need to include all the necessary elements of a recording system that will enable
you to record the band when everyone is playing simultaneously.
• Your band members already own instruments – you therefore need to focus on
recording equipment. Do not include any equipment if you cannot explain its purpose.
You HAVE to stay within the limits of your budget.
• You need to go beyond just the minimum requirements as this could affect the quality
of the output material sent to
• Your answer should be in essay format and not in the form of a list. You have to
motivate your choices and their function and usefulness for your purpose.
• You have to mention equipment makes and models, and also prices for each.
• You need to discuss the microphone pickup patterns you will require for individual
instruments.
• Your essay needs be clear on a thorough understanding of the purpose and function of
each piece of equipment you list.
Question 2 of 4 (20.0 Points)

IMPEDANCE
There are different levels of impedance for the inputs and outputs of audio hardware
depending on the type of equipment being used. Some have high levels of impedance
and others have lower levels thereof.

a. Name the three principal types of audio signal impedance level, and explain their
relationship to particular types of audio device. (10 marks)

b. Discuss the impedance level requirements of the system you developed in Question
1, in terms of the types of input and output you will need in order to accommodate all
your devices. (10 marks)

Question 3 of 4 (25.0 Points)

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
Draw a schematic diagram that shows how you will connect all the hardware you
purchased in Question 1.

Your drawing needs to show the complete signal chain from input to output and
everything that comes in between. Your diagram needs to include the instruments that
are to be recorded. Aside from the hardware components themselves, you also need to
show:

a. The type of cables used

b. The type of data (digital/analogue) transmitted through the cables.

Question 4 of 4 (15.0 Points)

CONFIGURING THE DAW

Explain how you will configure the software of your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that
you acquired as part of your purchases in Question 1.

a. You will need to explain how the DAW can send and receive data to and from audio
devices (or audio sources).

b. Your discussion needs to include mention of audio input and output settings, and the
creation of a sequences track to send and receive audio information. You have already
discussed hardware configuration in the previous questions, so do not repeat that
information here.

c. Exclude a description of the software installation process (as it is irrelevant).