Practical Audio Electronics. Kevin Robinson. Focal, a Routledge imprint, 2020
https://www.routledge.com/Practical-Audio-Electronics/Robinson/p/book/9780367359850
AES Reviewer: Tom Schlum, Studio Control Systems, Italy
Tom Schlum starts out by explaining that this book is an introduction to basic electronics with a focus on audio signals. "Music, audio, and electronics are so closely linked now," he says, “it is hard to imagine one without the others. Having a basic level of electronics expertise is ever more relevant and valuable to the modern musician and audio professional . . . This book provides a starting point for experimentation and also for expanding boundaries to create new and interesting sounds, without the need for the in-depth studies of an electronics engineer. It combines a moderate level of technicality with a firm focus on the practical. The aim is to allow the reader to become an electronics builder and experimenter.” Although Tom found some unnecessary detail, such as electron movement at a molecular level, and the detailing of power distribution on a metro-wide scale, he concluded that if the reader is willing to persevere, they will find the book a handy resource.
Read the full review from the June 2020 AES Journal >
The Sense of Hearing. 3rd ed. Christopher J. Plack. Routledge, 2018.
https://www.routledge.com/The-Sense-of-Hearing/Plack/p/book/9781138632592
AES Reviewer: Thomas Kaytt, Brüel & Kjær, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Thomas introduces this book by pointing out that it’s intended as a first primer in the neuro-biological and perceptual nature of hearing. "It is geared toward an audience of undergraduate and masters level university students," he says, recommending it to any reader with an interest in neuroscience and psychoacoustics. "Starting from very basic principles of wave theory,” Thomas says, “Dr. Plack builds a compelling and comprehensive picture of the entire hearing mechanism and the complexities of the perception of sound . . . Overall, this text acts as an excellent jumping off point for the study of mammalian hearing and human hearing perception. It is by no means a definitive reference on the subject, but it opens doors for the reader to gain deeper insight in an accessible, good natured demeanor and a thorough curated list of further reading."
Read the full review from the June 2020 AES Journal >
Beep to Boom — The Development of Advanced Runtime Sound Systems for Games and Extended Reality. Simon N. Goodwin. Focal, a Routledge imprint, 2019.
AES Reviewer: Todd Busch, Veneklasen Associates (India) Pvt. Ltd., India
"Curious about things that go beep or boom in the night?" asks Todd Busch in his introduction to the review. "This book, issued as part of the Audio Engineering Society Presents series, is a rigorous and comprehensive guide to interactive audio runtime systems. Packed with practical examples and insights, the book explains each component of these complex sound geometries. Using practical, and often lowest-common-denominator techniques, the author covers soundfield creation across a range of platforms from phones to VR gaming consoles." Todd reckons that the avid audio researcher is likely to find this book to be a useful starting point to introduce themselves to the world of audio runtime systems. There is a variety of programming code for those with more aptitude and interest in hands-on application of the technical topics that are addressed.
Read the full review from the September 2020 AES Journal >
