Book excerpt: The sound recording industry encompasses musicians, acousticians, electronic engineers, and broadcasters. A full understanding of the specialised equipment used to record, transmit, and reproduce speech and music, and of the operational techniques which have been evolved over half a century, can be achieved only in the present type of multiple author handbook. Addressing the user rather than the designer or manufacturer, the specialist authors here assembled explain and describe their own approach to their particular part of the industry. In sum, therefore, their book provides a comprehensive guide to each link in the recording chain which students, practitioners, and new entrants to the world of recording will find stimulating and informative. This fourth edition has been comprehensively updated to take account of the many rapid advances in recording techniques, computer-controlled equipment, new digital recording formats, and the proliferation of consumer audio/video media.