Sonic Design // Task 1
30.08.23 - 26.09.23 (Week 1 - Week 5)
Emelyne How Sok Hing (0352938)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) Creative Media
Sonic Design // Task 1
Lectures
Week 1:
We got a brief introduction to our module booklet and the material we would be studying this semester. In order for us to acquire a general idea of what we need to perform for this semester, our lecturer also provided us with numerous examples drawn from the work of our seniors.
Week 2:
Sound Fundamentals
We roughly covered some basic knowledge about sound such as the nature of sound, the human ear and how the different parts of the ear affect our sense of hearing. We quickly talked about the properties of sound and even listened to different frequency of sound (listening to 14Hz made me want to puke :D )
Week 3:
Basic Sound Editing Tools
1. Layering
- Taking two or more sound and layer them on the top.
2. Time Stretching
- Sonically stretch the audio without changing its pitch.
3. Pitch Shifting
- Ability to change the pitch of a sound without changing its actual length.
4. Reversing
- Used to give a totally different type of sound. As for example an explosion sound.
5. Mouth it
- Use of vocalisation
Week 4:
We learned how to apply pitch shift and time stretch. Automation and how volume can be used to fade out.
Instructions
Week 2:
Exercise 1 // Equalizing Sound
Our first task was to learn how to use the parametric equalizer in Adobe Audition. To do so, we were given a flat sound and other modified sounds that we had to edit back to make it sound like the flat one.
I tried to play around and see what each frequency and button would do. This is what I managed to decipher, even though I'm not very sure if what I did was the best solution. I'm mostly unsure about whether I played or modified them too much, despite using my headphones.
Here are the screenshots of the EQ after modifying them.
 |
| Figure 1.0 EQ 1, 9th September 2023 |
For the first sound, our lecturer showed us how to use the equalizer and we figured that the bass sound needed to be higher.
 |
| Figure 1.1 EQ 2, 9th September 2023 |
 | |
|
As for the fourth one, the bass needed to be lower and I also adjusted some other sound to be higher.
Additionally, we got some more files to edit including the previous four audios.
Honestly, since I've never done much sound editing before, especially for music, I'm not sure at all about what can be done or not, or if there is a certain range to stay within the limits or not. Even though I tried to Google the answers to my questions, none of them really answered what I wanted to know, so I'm not really certain about my edits.
 | |
|
 | |
|
 |
| Figure 1.6 Filter 1, 10th September 2023 |
 | |
|
Week 3:
Exercise 2 // Sound shaping
Our latest assignment involved the modification of additional sound files that were provided to us. This particular task required us to manipulate these files to create the illusion that they were recorded in diverse environments or different communication devices.
Here are the initial few environments we were tasked with replicating:
- Telephone call
- Inside a closet
- Walkie-Talkie communication
For the submission, we are required to export the audio files and capture screenshots of the EQ (Equalization) settings.
 |
| Figure 1.8 Telephone EQ, 13th September 2023 |
 |
| Figure 1.9 In the closet EQ, 13th September 2023 |
 |
| Figure 2.0 Walkie Talkie EQ, 13th September 2023 |
In our next exercise, we were instructed on the application of reverb effects. Once more, our task involved modifying the audio files to emulate the following environments:
- Voice in toilet
- Announcement in the stadium
-Voice announcement in an airport
 |
| Figure 2.1 Voice in toilet EQ, 13th September 2023 |
 |
| Figure 2.2 Voice in toilet reverb, 13th September 2023 |
 |
| Figure 2.3 Voice in a stadium EQ, 13th September 2023 |
 |
| Figure 2.4 Voice in a stadium reverb, 13th September 2023 |
 |
| Figure 2.5 Voice announcement in an airport EQ, 13th September 2023 |
 |
| Figure 2.6 Voice announcement in an airport reverb, 13th September 2023 |
Week 4:
Exercise 3 // Sound layering and effects
We have been tasked with enhancing an explosion sound file and a punch sound file by incorporating a range of audio effects. For the explosion sound, our objective is to elevate its impact by applying various audio effects, equalization adjustments, and layering techniques. Meanwhile, for the punch sound, we aim to create the impression of three consecutive punches, each more impactful than the last with a final blow at the end.
Link to SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/TnLr5
Explosion Sound
I utilised a total of five tracks to enhance the explosion sound. These tracks involved pitch shifting, parametric equalization adjustments, incorporation of additional sound effects to add depth to the explosion, utilisation of reverse and reverb effects to create a sense of distance, and finally, the application of a hard limiter to ensure the sound did not exceed the maximum limit. I also added the chorus modulation effect to track 3.
Link to sound file: https://on.soundcloud.com/ozSi5
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
Week 5:
Punch Sound
I used five tracks to make three punching sounds and a final blow. I tweaked them with EQ, pitch shifting, reverb, compression, dynamics, and a phaser, and for the final punch, I added reverb and echo. I also reversed one of the track before the final blow so that it would give this cartoonish effect. In the end, I also applied hard limiter like instructed to us.
Link to sound file: https://on.soundcloud.com/CXQ6h
 | |
|
I played around with the volume and pan to create the effect required by our lecturer.
 |
| Figure 3.2 Jet Plane multitrack, 26th September 2023 |
Link to sound file: https://on.soundcloud.com/opgR9
Reflections
Week 1:
Looking back at what we've seen from our seniors' work, this class seems pretty fun, but it also seems quite tiring. I have a feeling that I'm going to struggle a bit since I'm not especially the best at sound editing. What I'm most worried about is the final project where we're going to need to create the sounds on our own, and God knows how time-consuming this will be. But hey, I'm not giving up yet, so.
In all honesty, at first, when editing the sound, I could barely tell what was needed or what needed to change, at least. It was very hard, and I had to listen to the same track so many times that I got tired of this music. To be honest, what helped me to at least sort out what was happening was the fact that I tried to focus on one specific type of sound only and compare it to the flat version. By doing this, it helped me greatly as I managed to hear what was missing or what was too much. I'm still not too sure of what I did, but I believe it's at least somehow decent and not too catastrophic, or at least I hope so. This exercise mostly helped in seeing how you can focus on one sound first and then focus on the others, which also required some discipline as well. It was quite a pain in the ass since I don't know much about music either.
Week 3:
I already had experience with using reverbs and sound shaping from previous semesters, so this week's task wasn't too difficult. While some things had changed, it mostly served as a refresher. We did the task together in class, which allowed us to receive immediate feedback, saving us time.
Week 4-5:
This week's task was relatively easy as we continued to learn new things. I had a bit of trouble with the punch sound because I wasn't sure how to edit some of the sound to make it sound like how I wanted to. The jet plane sound, on the other hand, wasn't too difficult.
Comments
Post a Comment