Instant Sound Forge (Instant Series) [Paperback]

Jeffrey P. Fisher (Author)

Book Description

Series: Instant Series | Publication Date: January 20, 2004

The third book in CMP's new V.A.S.S.T. series produced in cooperation with the Sundance Media Group, Instant Sound Forge is a general guide to the operation of the application and a graphic "cookbook" of specific techniques for using Sound Forge to fix (hide mistakes) and sweeten (improve) audio. Sony's Sound Forge is a powerful mono and stereo digital audio recorder and editor that beginners and professionals use for audio production of radio, TV, music, video, animation, Web design, and multimedia. Novices can quickly achieve great results by gaining command of the basic recording and editing functions, while professionals will learn how to use the application's more sophisticated tools, advanced features, and shortcuts to streamline their workflow and achieve new audio heights.

This graphical 'cookbook' of specific techniques will help novices achieve great results quickly and professionals to streamline their workflow and achieve new audio heights.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeffrey P. Fisher provides audio, video, music, writing, training, and media production services. He also writes about music, sound, and video for print and the Web. He teaches digital audio production at the College of DuPage Multimedia Arts department, and co-hosts forums on Sound Forge and Vegas on Digital Media Net. His latest music CD, Atmospherics, and music library, Melomania, showcase his musical talent. Jeffrey has authored five music and sound industry books, including, Moneymaking Music, Profiting from Your Music and Sound Project Studio, Ruthless Self-Promotion in the Music Industry, and How to Make Money Scoring Soundtracks and Jingles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (January 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578202442
• ISBN-13: 978-1578202447
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeffrey P. Fisher provides audio, video, music, writing, consulting, training, and media production and post-production services for individuals, corporate, and commercial clients through his own company, Fisher Creative Group. He also writes extensively about music, sound, and video for print and the Web and has authored ten books and two training DVDs (and still counting).

Jeffrey's library music CD, "Dark New Age" (Fresh Music), along with his "Atmospherics" instrumental music CD, and two-volume, buy-out music library, "Melomania," showcase his musical vision. He also teaches audio/video production and post-production at the College of DuPage Motion Picture/Television department in Glen Ellyn, IL and at DePaul University in Chicago. And he co-hosts the Acid, Sound Forge, and Vegas forums on Digital Media Net.

You can benefit from the experience of a in-demand, successful, and creative professional by using the many resources available on his Website, reading his books and/or watching his DVDs, and even working directly with him.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An idex would have helped..., December 9, 2004

By 

G. Melnik - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instant Sound Forge (Instant Series) (Paperback)

This is a horrible reference book! There is no index and the table of contents is not at all detailed so it is really difficult to find the section you need. Even when I have found the section I needed, it hasn't been as detailed as I would have liked. In addition, there are a number of pages that are in the wrong order in the front part of the book (around the second chapter). This book could have used some more work before going to press.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Instant nothing, November 17, 2004

By 

Henry Howard - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instant Sound Forge (Instant Series) (Paperback)

While the Sonic Foundry manuals have usually been sparse in details, this "instant" book comes with even less info.

If you need a book to hold your hand and explain things like:
Custom Workspace... You can choose the toolbars you want to see. Choose View.Toolbars (that's it), then this may be the book for you. But then the manual will tell you more than that.

For the Spectrum Analysis Tools there are just barely 100 words
to cover the entire subject.

My copy is on the way back. No more CMP Books for me.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Instant Sound Forge makes you productive Instantly!, January 27, 2005

By 

John Rofrano (NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instant Sound Forge (Instant Series) (Paperback)

I've used Sony Sound Forge for minor fixing up of audio (EQ, normalize, compress) but I felt that I never really learned the application that well. (I just didn't have the time) I don't like to read so I'm really turned off by those "bible" books that go into tons of background detail. I looked forward to the Instant Sound Forge book because the VASST Instant Series is very concise and task oriented and I wasn't let down. Granted there was a lot of information I already knew in this book, but there were also a couple of gems that made it worth the money for me.

The book has already paid for itself in just the Restoration chapter alone. Jeffrey explains how to reduce excessive room ambience with specific settings that are easy to follow. I had a video that was recorded in a church that had way too much room ambience. Using Jeffrey's technique I was able to lessen the severity of the reverberant room and clean up the audio significantly.

I also liked Jeffrey's suggestions on how to process files that are going to be compressed as MP3's to get the most quality out of the MP3 encoder. It's little details like this, and how to process spoken word, and other finishing secrets that you only figure out after years of using a program that Jeffrey shares with you in this book. Even beginner tips like making sure you edit at zero crossings are helpful in not getting clicks when you loop audio.

This is a great book for someone who needs to get up to speed quickly with Sound Forge. It's very easy reading and I was able to apply the techniques I'd learned quickly. If you are looking for a book that is "Everything you wanted to know about Sound Forge", then this isn't the book for you. But that's not the purpose of the Instant Series. If you just want to get productive quickly with Sony Sound Forge I feel this book will get you there.