Product Description

Handbook for Sound Engineers is the most comprehensive reference available for audio engineers. Written by many of the top professionals in the field, including Glen Ballou on interpretation systems, intercoms, assistive listening, and image projection; Ken Pohlmann on compact discs and DVDs; David Miles Huber on MIDI; Dr. Eugene Patronis on amplifier design and outdoor sound systems; Bill Whitlock on audio transformers and preamplifiers; Pat Brown on fundamentals and gain structures; Ray Rayburn on virtual systems and digital interfacing; and Dr. Wolfgang Ahnert on computer-aided sound system design and acoustics for concert halls.

* The most complete reference work on sound engineering on the market

* Contributors are the leading experts in their fields

* Explains MIDI, cinema sound, transformers, consoles, and more

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #172318 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-12
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1584 pages

Review
"The audio industry has seen many changes since the previous edition, particularly in the digital area, all of which are included in this edition." - audioXpress

Review
"The audio industry has seen many changes since the previous edition, particularly in the digital area, all of which are included in this edition." - audioXpress

HOWARD W SAMS & CO
The most complete audio information available! Ideal for all audio professionals. "Includes the latest technological advancements. Explains MIDI, cinema sound, transformers, and compact discs. Condenses years of information and technology to one source. Details sound system design and proper installation techniques for many applicati". --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. (this review taken off of Amazon)

From Book News, Inc.
Comprehensive desk reference on all aspects of sound recording. Covers fundamentals of sound and acoustics, electronic components, electroacoustic devices, electronic audio circuits and equipment, recording and playback, design applications, and measurements. Incorporates technical innovations such as digital circuitry, integrated circuits, and computer technology, and discusses specific concerns such as voice coloration, sound room design and construction, and audio broadcasting. Book News (taken off Amazon)

"There's a book out there called Handbook for Sound Engineers, Third Edition, and it pretty much explains everything...It's like the Bible. I keep it right under my bed."
Thes One, from People Under The Stairs - quoted in Remix Magazine

Book Info
The most comprehensive reference work on sound engineering on the market. Explains MIDI, cinema sound, transformers, consoles, and more.

Customer Reviews

sound engeneer book
yess i'm very happy with this book is a kind of enciclopedia of sound engeneering and is very updated to now years...

thank u very much amazon

an essential reference
In its first edition, this book referred to itself as "the new Audio Cyclopedia," as it was conceived as an update to Howard Tremaine's exhaustive reference of 1959, updated in 1969. Back in the mid-1980's, I read the first edition of Ballou's Handbook for Sound Engineers cover-to-cover, finding nearly all of it to be essential information for any audio professional. As one might expect from a book "written by a committee," some chapters were more engaging than others. The chapter on "Consoles and Systems" by Steve Dove was so entertaining, while sacrificing nothing in the way of technical substance, that it changed my thinking about what technical writing could be. While his chapter in the latest edition is somewhat more subdued, I could not be more satisfied with the thoroughness of the updating to represent today's state of the art technology. That statement also applies to the entire book - this is not a book that lives in the past, rests on past achievement, or rides on reputation.

Suffice it to say that the latest edition is always my first recommendation for a technical reference book on audio. It belongs on the bookshelf of any facility audio department, as well as any serious audio practitioner in any of the specialties - live sound, recording, broadcast, theatre, etc. The world would have a lot less bad sound in it if more audio practitioners took seriously their responsibility to learn their technical fundamentals, and this book is one of the best places to start on the quest to achieve technical competence in audio.

Of Antiquarian Interest Only!
This book is primarily of value if you are connecting antique equipment or trying to resurrect out-of-date gear for which manuals are no longer available. You're not likely to find a "Zener Diode" in anything made in this century and info on phonograph cartridges is only useful to a group of dedicated specialists.

Casual users who want the best out of a modern sound system should see books by Bill Gibson and other authors who discuss CDs and digital audio processing.