Spatial Audio Design / Project 3

on
14.11.2024 - 28.11.2024 (Week 8 - Week 10)
Ng Kar Yee / 0367743
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Spatial Audio Design / Project 3

LECTURES

Week 8⇒ Independent Learning Week (ILW)

Week 9 

Microphone Type

1. Dynamic Microphones

  • type of mic that converts sound waves into electrical signals using electromagnetism.
  • There are two types of dynamic mics: moving-coil mics and ribbon mics.
2. Condenser Microphones
  • Condenser microphones are recording tools that rely on a particularly sensitive vibrating diaphragm to capture sound. 
  • Condenser microphones are considered the most versatile recording studio microphones and can be used to record essentially any instrument.

3. Shotgun Microphones

  • Shotgun microphones are used to capture sound at a distance. 
  • They are often used for sporting events, news reporting, drama and documentary filming as well as live broadcasting. 
  • In many situations, shotgun microphones are an important part of a sound engineer's gear kit.

Pickup Patterns (Polar Patterns)

1. Cardioid
  • Heart-shaped pattern.
  • pick up sound primarily from the front and reject noise from the sides and rear
2. Omnidirectional
  • Captures sound equally from all directions.
  • Pick up sound with equal gain from all sides or directions of the microphone. This means that whether a user speaks into the microphone from the front, back, left or right side, the microphone will record the signals all with equal gain.
3. Hypercardioid
  • More focused pickup at the front with slight sensitivity at the back
  • Hypercardioid condenser microphone features a particularly directed pickup pattern. With null points at 110° and 250° and a back lobe of sensitivity, it shows the most sensitivity to on-axis sounds, that is the sounds it points to. Because of their great directionality, it is commonly used in filmmaking.
4. Figure-of-Eight (Bidirectional)
  • Captures sound evenly from the front and back, rejects sound from the sides.
  • pick up sound from only two directions; from behind and in front of the microphone. 
  • This type of directionality is effective for picking up sound from both an audience and a speaker.
5. Multi-Pattern Microphones
  • Some microphones allow switching between polar patterns 
  • Example, cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-of-eight

Connectors

1. Types of Connectors

a. Male Connector
  • Plugs into audio equipment
b. Female Connector
  • Receives the male connector

Mixer Basics

1. Channels

  • Determines how many microphones or instruments can be connected simultaneously.
2. Types of Mixers
  • Analog Mixers
  • Digital Mixers
  • Hybrid Mixers

INTRODUCTION

PROJECT 3⇒ AUDIO STORYTELLING

For our third project, Mr Razif introduced Audio Storytelling to us which we are task to pick one popular fairy-tale story of our choice and create and audiobook. The task is a step up from auditory imaging whereby now we not only need to think about suitable soundscape, but we need to record the voice with the suitable voice acting and bring it all together with sound effects to highlight and enhance the storytelling experience. Imagine that this is a show for radio

STORY & AUDIO RESEARCHING

To begin, I started on a research hunt on finding a suitable story. After searching and scrolling high and low, I came across this children's storybook "Felix Goes To Space" where Felix the cat had a dream of going to space. The story is based on an adventurous cat wanting to do the impossible and Felix made the impossible possible by not giving up easily. Besides, I also researched on suitable sound effects and ambients to match the story.
Figure 1.0 Felix Goes To Space Book Cover

Link To The Storybook

AUDIO RECORDING & EFFECTS

After searching for a suitable story, I proceed on to record. I planned to record my voice as the narrator while a friend of mine voice over for Felix the cat. I recorded myself under a blanket while my friend did his recording in his car as Mr Razif suggested to do our recording in a closure area such as under a blanket or in a car so that other sound does not get mix in the background of the audio.

Figure 1.1 Audio Recording & Effects

AUDIO EDITING PROCESS

After recording everything, I started editing the audio in Adobe Audition. For the recording I voice over, I added a Parametric Equalizer, DeEsser, DeNoise and Pitch Shifter to it as Mr Razif feedbacked that the voice I recorded wasn't as clear as my friend's while it was a bit muffy as well.
Figure 1.2 Parametric Equalizer

Figure 1.3 DeNoise

Figure 1.4 DeEsser

Figure 1.5 Pitch Shifter

While for my friend's who voice over for Felix the cat, I added a Parametric Equalizer, DeNoise and Pitch Shifter to it to make his voice quality match the overall audio.

Figure 1.6 Pitch Shifter

Figure 1.7 DeNoise

Figure 1.8 Parametric Equalizer

Besides, I added pan effect to some of the audio effect such as the owl hooting so that it can have the spatial effect. Lastly, I added the hard limited to the overall multitrack.

Figure 1.9 Pan Effect

VIDEO EDITING PROCESS

After completing the audio track, I slot in the audio track with the story. I edited the video and added subtitles for the story in Adobe Premiere Pro. 

Figure 2.0 Video Editing

FINAL AUDITORY STORYTELLING

FINAL AUDITORY STORYTELLING AUDIO

FEEDBACK

WEEK 7

  • Narrator voice not as clear the Felix's voice over
  • Suggested to edit the voice and the effects to the same quality with Parametric Equalizer so that the overall doesn't have a different feel 

WEEK 9

  • Tips for Recording: Control the Environment, Optimize the Recording Space, Soundproof the Area
  • Always ensure the microphone and recording area are properly covered to block out unwanted noise.
  • Perform a test recording to check for sound quality before starting

REFLECTION

Working on Auditory Storytelling has been a fun ride where I got to pick a story to my interest. Besides, it was my first time voice overing for a character of a story. Moreover, we have the opportunity to analyze and explore different type of sound effects and ambients suitable for the story. This project was challenging yet interesting for me as I need to combine the audio editing skills learned however with the guidance I got from Mr Razif and my friends, I managed to finish the tasks.

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