The Art of Digital Audio
Described as "the most comprehensive book on digital audio to date", it is widely acclaimed as an industry "bible". Covering the very latest developments in digital audio technology, it provides an thorough introduction to the theory as well as acting as an authoritative and comprehensive professional reference source. Everything you need is here from the fundamental principles to the latest applications, written in an award-winning style with clear explanations from first principles.
New material covered includes internet audio, PC audio technology, DVD, MPEG audio compression, digital audio broadcasting and audio networks.
Whether you are in the field of audio engineering, sound recording, music technology, broadcasting and communications media or audio design and installation, this book has it all. Written by a leading international audio specialist, who conducts professional seminars and workshops around the world, the book has been road tested for many years by professional seminar attendees and students to ensure their needs are taken into account, and all the right information is covered.
This new edition now includes:
Internet audio
PC Audio technology
DVD
MPEG Audio compression
Digital Audio Broadcasting
Audio networks
Digital audio professionals will find everything they need here, from the fundamental principles to the latest applications, written in an award-winning style with clear explanations from first principles.
John Watkinson is an international consultant in audio, video and data recording. He is a Fellow of the AES, a member of the British Computer Society and a chartered information systems practitioner. He presents lectures, seminars, conference papers and training courses worldwide. He is the author of many other Focal Press books, including: the Kraszna-Krausz award winning MPEG-2; The Art of Digital Audio; An Introduction to Digital Video; The Art of Sound Reproduction; An Introduction to Digital Audio; TV Fundamentals and Audio for Television. He is also co-author, with Francis Rumsey, of The Digital Interface Handbook, and contributor to the Loudspeaker and Headphone Handbook, 3rd edition.
· The 'Bible' of Digital Audio
· Get everything you need on digital audio in just one book
· Gain a thorough understanding of all the latest technology
Why Read This Book
You should read The Art of Digital Audio because it is the definitive, industry-focused reference that connects solid theory to real-world audio engineering practices — from fundamentals through professional system design. You will learn how digital audio systems are built, how codecs and formats work, and how to apply DSP techniques such as filtering and spectral analysis to solve practical recording, broadcasting, and streaming problems.
Who Will Benefit
Audio engineers, recording and broadcast professionals, and DSP engineers who need a comprehensive, practical reference for digital audio theory, formats, and system design.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Basic calculus and signals-and-systems concepts, familiarity with sampling and discrete-time signals, and general understanding of audio recording/production workflows.
Key Takeaways
- Design and evaluate digital filters and sample-rate conversion chains appropriate for high-quality audio.
- Apply FFT-based spectral analysis and practical measurement techniques to audio signals and systems.
- Understand modern audio formats, compression (MPEG/MP3), DVD/PC audio and the trade-offs of perceptual coding.
- Architect real-world audio systems for recording, broadcasting, streaming and networked audio.
- Interpret and use industry standards and formats (CD, DVD, AES/EBU, DAB) when integrating hardware and software.
Topics Covered
- Introduction to Sound and Digital Audio
- Sampling, Quantization, and Digital Representation
- Perception and Psychoacoustics: Implications for Audio Processing
- Digital Filters and Anti-aliasing
- Sample-rate Conversion and Time-domain Processing
- Spectral Analysis and the FFT in Audio Applications
- Audio Compression and Perceptual Coding (MPEG, MP3, Dolby)
- PC, CD, DVD and Consumer/Professional Format Technologies
- Internet Audio, Streaming, and Audio Networking
- Broadcasting Technologies (DAB) and Distribution Systems
- Recording Systems, DAWs and Studio Architecture
- Measurement, Test Methods and System Calibration
- Interfaces, Synchronization, and Clocking
- Standards, Formats and Reference Appendices
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
More comprehensive and industry-oriented than Ken Pohlmann's Principles of Digital Audio, while offering broader system-level coverage compared with algorithm-focused texts like Udo Zölzer's Digital Audio Signal Processing.
