1. I want to make a sonic art project using voice and color. I started out thinking I could record several voices saying the same sentence and apply color, according to a formula, to their sine wave pattern. I discovered, in speaking with Thomas, that the science here is not solid and what I’m trying to do would be quite difficult to achieve. Instead, I have decided to use the voices and mix color in using a more artistic and less scientific means.
The articles that intrigued me: https://theconversation.com/is-every-human-voice-and-fingerprint-really-unique-63739
Translating Sound to Color
The Color of Sound
Visual Music
I am going to capture the oscillations or sine wave of each voice sample and apply color to each, varying the color and tools I use to create something visually interesting with a spoken sound track that I will manipulate from its original state.
2. The tools I need are Reaper, Audacity, Sonic Visualizer, QuickTime and iMovie. I will also be using our recorders to capture the voice samples.
3. Weeks of Nov 14, Nov 21—Record voices (have two already).
Experiment with capturing sine waves in Reaper, Audacity & Sonic Visualizer and apply color to them and import to iMovie. Do individually as visuals then move audio tracks in.
Week of Nov 28—Refine order, add glitches in, work on video editing.
Week of Dec 5—Finish project and present.
4. References above. Additional references are manuals for each tech tool I’m using and
The Many Colors of Sound
How the Voice Works
HTML Color Codes http://ciufo.org/mhc/203_fl17/reading/schulz_sound_art.pdf
(objective qualities of physical objects and spaces)
Is Every Human Voice Really Different (voice recognition is being used, potential for hacking, etc.)
Why Human Voices are Different
(simple description of physical qualities that make voices different)
Physics of Loudmouths
(scientific descriptions of why voices differ)
Academy of Otolaryngology
(the main parts of voice production)
Update: today I decided to shift my project to a combination of voice and voice’print’ as well as photographs with sounds accompanying each. It is easier to show than tell this idea. I am also adding some common element of sound–perhaps an underscoring as a song or a noise to tie things together.
Now adding in the app Virtual ANS, I can produce graphic and audio representations of sounds and photos. My iMovie should be interesting and I will add something written as well.
1. I want to do what I thought this class would be about before this semester started, which is combining natural sound and composed music. In one of the first few classes we had, Thomas played a piece with natural sound in the background and flute as the main tone, and I still remember that at that time I immediately texted my friend telling her: I’m listening to a piece that I think we might be doing in the future in this class. And this idea kept in my mind until now. The first project of mine was just recording and the second was just instrumental music so for this final one I want to combine them and define what acoustic ecology and sonic art means to me.
2. I would only need the recorder as my main material but I also need instruments like drum set, guitar, etc. This time I might not use logic pro anymore but I’ll definitely use reaper.
3. For this week and the week after thanksgiving I will mainly focus on recording sounds, but hopefully I can start editing on the second half of the first week of December.
4. Reference would be the song that Thomas played in class and some traditional Chinese music because some of them contains water sound as the background but I cannot give specific references for now.
I don’t know how to edit this but I just checked the calendar and by saying the second half of the first week of December I actually mean the last week of November.
NEW PROPOSAL
1. Idea: water composition
Combining different kinds of water sound (e.g. water drops and streams and water falls together) to make a composition of water music. It may not necessarily become a music piece but just a similar idea and different combinations can definitely turn into music.
2. Materials: Recorder, reaper, free sounds if needed
3. For this week starting today and over the weekend I will make some recordings of water and start editing next week (Dec 5th)
4.Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP8dUlLzT8U
Water music composed by Tan Dun http://tandun.com/composition/water-music/
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
For my project, I would like to implement some sort of experimental music or sound art and if I have time, implement some visual effects as well.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
I will use freesound.org and record some sounds and distort them. I will also use Reaper and another software that can implement visuals.
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project.
The timeline for my project is research some more sound examples that I would like to base my project on and research some of the methods how those artists made their pieces. Then look for some sounds that I think will mend well together. Finally implement some visuals that go with the song.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.
Brian Eno- Discreet Music
Cascone, The Aesthetics of Failure
Licht, Sound Art: Origins, Development, and Ambiguities
*I will be adding more as I do more research
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
For my project I have gotten my inspiration from Brian Eno’s Discreet Music and Oval/ Markus Popp, Meditation. I would like to combine atmospheric, soothing, and relaxing tones with various types of bells. I have looked up some meditative type sounds on freesound.org as well as regular bells, wind chimes, and Tibetan bells. I enjoyed Brian Eno’s message about music not always having a purpose; that it can just be in the background. I decided to go with the same idea and apply a calming tone to my sound piece. Then also add a visual aspect that illustrates abstract shapes and lines according to the music.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
I will use freesound.org and record some sounds and distort them. I will also use Reaper and another software that can implement visuals, most likely soundspectrum.com
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project.
– Obtain all the sounds (bells, ambient/soothing music) by Nov 30
– Then layer the sounds and combine them to sound aesthetically pleasing to see a rough draft of how my piece would sound like – Dec 3
-Make some edits to the piece so it sounds smooth and it sounds as if it is building up and then add the music visualizer. – Dec 8
-Make any final edits
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.
Brian Eno- Discreet Music
Oval/ Markus Popp Meditation
Cascone, The Aesthetics of Failure
Toop, The Generation Game: Experimental Music and Digital Culture.
Licht, Sound Art: Origins, Development, and Ambiguities
*I will be adding more as I do more research
What is my Project?
Well, with most of them, I am very clueless on what I want to end up with. I really want to create a child-like and immature atmosphere. Something along the lines of playful wonderment. I’m not sure how to since a lot of the sounds I put together end up sounding like the terminator coming back, but I really enjoy sounds like this. This is also a project that I want to make that allows for a sense of relaxation and resolve. Think Lisa Gerrard’s Now We Are Free feels. I think learning how to use less sounds with more impact will help greatly in this case. This is my primary concept, but there are others that range more on the dark and brooding. I feel like a lot of the sounds so far, a darkish and I want to make some light and rich with heavier ambience. I was also thinking about doing something more personal, I’m not quite sure what, but I do know it would have meaning in my life. This is a completely different idea, but I figured I would mention it in case I change my mind by the final revision. I don’t have any sample sounds yet. Not sure if I’ll make it exactly to this idea, but I’ll have some fun trying.
Materials and tools?
I plan on getting some more recordings with the field recordings and see what things I can modify into an ambience. I am worried about how to add enough sounds to make it interesting and upbeat without overdoing it. I tend to throw things in and hope for the best as I go, it’s worked out so far, but I’m hoping to go into a direction that doesn’t involve so much going on. I think that will be my biggest challenge when it comes to the final project, knowing when enough is enough. I do want to do a little research on some styles that use everyday things to create light-feelings (I don’t really know how to describe it, but if you listen to the song above, you’ll understand).
Time-line?
My timeline will first consist of researching some ways to create and manipulate everyday sounds into ambiences since I really started doing that only in the last project. I’m hoping to start this after I solidify my proposal and I think it would take about a day to two days to find what I need. Afterwards would be recording, I have already begun this, but I plan to spend at least two hours every other day, when needed, getting recordings from MHC, Amherst, and possibly some voice mail for the second idea. I think you already picked up the fact that I kind of explore what things can do, so I don’t really know if I am going to use new technologies that would be a time-hog. If I do encounter one, I would say that it would be a maximum of three days working with it. If I can’t figure it out by then, I’ll let it go or ask for help.
References?
Well for the first idea: Lisa Gerrard’s Now We Are Free
I think it gives the uplifting and wonderment feel I want in my sound piece. I would say this is a song that inspires the piece rather than I want some part of it in the piece.
For the second idea: If I choose this one that has meaning, I will most likely use some voice mails from my mom. From there, I am still planning.
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible. What is the project, and what is your primary motivation, interest, or concept? Some of this may be a bit speculative at this stage, but do your best, and acknowledge the parts that are unresolved. Sometimes formulating the key questions is as important as how you actually answer them…
I would like to explore underwater sounds and sounds in an underwater environment. I’ve done some research into how sounds travel through water and the different sounds that fish make. I would like to try to understand this concept better, and learn more about how I as well as other anthropogenic causes create sounds in an underwater environment. I would like to maybe make my own underwater sounds and make it into a composition, or even possibly make an sound art installation that makes sounds underwater with a current, or even artificially create a soundscape that mimics a true underwater environment. This could just end in a paper or a powerpoint presentation; I’m still kind of unsure.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project. What are the specific technologies involved, and what are the outstanding research or implementation issues that you are taking on?. Be honest here, to the best of your ability. This will help you identify any outstanding implementing issues, and structure your time accordingly.
I would need a computer with access to google and possibly journals, all of which I already have. This would be so that I can do research on underwater sounds, how anthropogenic sources of sound travel through water and impact the organisms there, how sound travels, what kind of sounds are prevalent, etc. I’d also be interested in using a hydrophone if it would be possible in any regard to get my hands on one. I would also need access to reaper, whcih is already downloaded on my computer and is also on the computers in the lab. I would also consider using the makerspace to create a sound art installation or underwater “musical instrument”.
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project. This does not need to involve every detail, but try to be realistic, as this will help you gauge how much you can take on. Make sure and place any new technologies / research early in your time line, as they will dramatically impact the rest of your project. Remember, most technical / implementation tasks take longer than we ever think they will (especially when aesthetics are involved). It’s not a bad idea to multiply the time for each task by 1.5.
I would likely need 5 hours to research what I would like to research about water and sounds. I may need longer to research what makes the most sound and how sounds impact the organisms within it. I would like to experiment and make recordings if obtaining a hydrophone is possible in any way. I would also probably need a significant amount of time to realize this project in a soundscape composition or an art installation or underwater “musical instrument” of some kind.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project. This can be a very useful addition, but I am flexible about this, given our compressed time frame. If you have been reading particular resources that are helping you think about your project, please list them (or add them as you go) and include short comments / summaries about the resource. This section can also include listening materials or other kinds of creative work that informs your project.
This isn’t an extensive list or anything, and I know it isn’t cited accurately and that it’s just a list of websites, but I think it’s a good list so far.
http://dosits.org/science/
A lot of good resources about sounds in different environments, the science behind it, and human impact.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_acoustics
(I won’t use wikipedia in a final project, I just figure it’s a good place to find additional resources and get some general information on the topic)
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
: I have several ideas for projects and I will choose one depending on the time and difficulty..
i)create a short animation: there has been this melody that I had in mind for couple years, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to make it to real life!
ii)collect random sounds at a certain pitch and combine them(more tech): I have recently had interest in data science and thought it would be cool if I could combine the two fields of music and data science!
iii)experiment with sounds of crumpling paper in different conditions(such as dampness, thickness, width, etc of paper): this idea hit me randomly too as I was throwing papers away. It would be similar to producing sounds from glasses with different amounts of water in each. If I do this, I’m not sure whether they should all be different papers, or same papers with different conditions.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
: i)recordings, piano, free sounds, possibly an easy animation tool or powerpoints
ii)possibly java..or any data science software. I also found this site: https://research.google.com/audioset/index.html
iii)papers
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project.
: i)I will first create a short storyboard. After a synopsis is made, I’ll start along creating the music(or rather the background music) along with scenes. Then I’ll adjust putting the scenes and music together, and make final touches.
ii)This probably will take the longest maybe the shortest time. I will first have to explore each software and then specify the topic I want to collect data in. Once a specific topic(for example “sounds of birds”) data are collected-I’ll need to find a way to convert the sounds to wav files and use reaper.
iii)This process will fairly be easy-I just have to find the right number and types of paper, and record the crumpled/ sounds! Then I’ll use reaper to combine the sounds together.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.:
i)The reference would be possibly from my dream, since the music I had in mind came from my dream, and also animations of Hayao Miyazaki, a Japanese animation producer. A lot of his pieces are about environments too, and I think the background compositions go along well with the animations itself.
ii)The reference would be from Audioset-the link I posted before. Also, my computer classes would be a reference to for software aspects.
iii)From Toop’s article “The Generation Game: Experimental Music and Digital Culture”. The very first part of Jae-eun Choi’s project with the papers-brought the interest as also. Also, I would refer to various sounds of paper deformation.
I decided to work on the short animation, considering the time and interest area. Usually it’s the story first and then the composition of music, but for my case I decided to do the opposite, since I have brief notes for the music. After I work on the music around a week to half, I’ll then create a story fit to the music composition. Considering the time phrase, if it takes more than a week and half to create the music, I’ll probably combine existing images/graphics instead of drawing by hand. For the music, I believe I’ll create it similar to the previous projects we did before, especially project 2. Since I haven’t decided on the specific storyboard yet I can’t tell what the topic will exactly be, but I’ll try to make the music overall mysterious and serene. The big picture of the animation will be a forest of bamboo trees.
Project Description: Laughter comes in all different shapes, sizes, and ages. This very raw, authentic, unique sound that is produced by various types of species. It’s a sound our senses are familiar with hearing, seeing, feeling, and touching. According to science, laughter is the best type of medicine out there. To list just a few, laughing more often can improve your immune system, can keep you younger longer, can count as exercise, and can reduce depression. I believe laughter is such a beautiful thing we are all capable of doing or experiencing. And as hard as we might try not to laugh, our deep-rooted howls never fail to resurface, displaying our most candid selves. For my final project, I would like to create a soundscape around human laughter to help encourage people to laugh more and often. This is a try not to laugh soundscape. Are you up for the challenge?
Project Materials: Will need field recordings of this action. As for editing, reaper will be a great tool as well as granular.
Project Timeline: 1 week to have a collection of rich field recordings & 1 week for editing.
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
I have a couple of ideas, but am not sure about which one would be best one to pursue. One idea I have is to play more with the idea of looping. I did a little bit of that with the second project but it was hard to actually loop things because of the nature of the media that I was using so for this one I would use more generated sounds rather than recordings. Another idea I have is to play with the idea of different types of writing materials and how it sounds weather it’s being used to draw something or write something or the kind that it is (marker, pen, pencil, etc.) but also including other mediums to like typing for example, I’m not too sure about this one but it seems like a cool thing to explore.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
If I do go with the first idea, I think I would be using Garageband instead of Reaper just because there is already a sound library with loops that I could pull from, which would be ideal given the amount of time that we have. If I go with the second idea, I would be using Reaper as well as the field recordings of the different sounds that I would be exploring.
3. Please describe a basic timeline for the implementation of the project.
Again, time dependent on which project idea I go with. I will probably be doing some rapid prototyping in the next couple days and during break to see which one I like better. So, about a week or two for the development of the actual piece.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.
The Toop article definitely was a starting point and the materials that we listened to from Brian Eno definitely are places of inspiration. I will also do more listening and research in the next few days.
I decided that I am going to combine both elements in that I’ll be recording sounds that are associated with writing so making recordings of different pens/pencil/marker on paper and creating my own loops, essentially, to generate a final soundscape with maybe one or two of the loops from garageband. I am going to be recording different speeds as well as lengths of scribble sounds (is that what you call them?) and make a piece using that combines both of those aspects of the previous ideas that I had. I am listening to more sounds of pieces that use looping as the main element to help inspire what I will be doing with my own piece.
Final Project Proposal
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible. What is the project, and what is your primary motivation, interest, or concept? Some of this may be a bit speculative at this stage, but do your best, and acknowledge the parts that are unresolved. Sometimes formulating the key questions is as important as how you actually answer them…
I am interested in creating a sound art piece that uses bird calls from endangered, threatened, and special concern New England birds. I’m not exactly sure how the project will turn out, I usually start working with the sounds, then figure out my direction with the project. This project will be some sort of commentary on climate change and habitat loss – once I get into the project more I will have a more clear idea of what I am trying to accomplish.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project. What are the specific technologies involved, and what are the outstanding research or implementation issues that you are taking on?. Be honest here, to the best of your ability. This will help you identify any outstanding implementing issues, and structure your time accordingly.
I am going to use bird call records online and reaper to edit the sounds. I have begun the process of looking for high quality bird calls online that I can use.
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project. This does not need to involve every detail, but try to be realistic, as this will help you gauge how much you can take on. Make sure and place any new technologies / research early in your time line, as they will dramatically impact the rest of your project. Remember, most technical / implementation tasks take longer than we ever think they will (especially when aesthetics are involved). It’s not a bad idea to multiply the time for each task by 1.5.
I am going to find the calls that I want to use, and then start working with the sounds. Once I get started on creating the sound art, I will have a better understanding of what I need. I plan to begin working with the sounds over Thanksgiving break so that I will have adequate time to figure out what else I need to find.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project. This can be a very useful addition, but I am flexible about this, given our compressed time frame. If you have been reading particular resources that are helping you think about your project, please list them (or add them as you go) and include short comments / summaries about the resource. This section can also include listening materials or other kinds of creative work that informs your project.
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible. What is the project, and what is your primary motivation, interest, or concept? Some of this may be a bit speculative at this stage, but do your best, and acknowledge the parts that are unresolved. Sometimes formulating the key questions is as important as how you actually answer them…
I am working on creating an acoustic ecology piece that explores why terns are endangered in Massachusetts and how their absence could impact how MA beaches sound in the future. I am focusing my project on the the Common Tern, Roseate Tern, and Arctic tern which live on the beaches, lakes, and bays. Terns are endangered because of an increase in habitat destruction and increased predation. The food that tourists leave on beaches attract gulls and allow them to increase in population. As a result, the Great Black-backed Gull and the Herring Gull consume more terns and drive down their populations. My approach is to present tern calls that are interrupted by the sounds of beach-goers and gulls as they compete for space in the area. I will present gull calls with the sounds of people talking to show how these factors are connected in their threat to tern populations.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project. What are the specific technologies involved, and what are the outstanding research or implementation issues that you are taking on?. Be honest here, to the best of your ability. This will help you identify any outstanding implementing issues, and structure your time accordingly.
I used bird calls from the Audubon Guide to North American birds. I also used sounds of the ocean and beach-goers from free sound. I then used Reaper to edit the sounds into a cohesive piece.
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project. This does not need to involve every detail, but try to be realistic, as this will help you gauge how much you can take on. Make sure and place any new technologies / research early in your time line, as they will dramatically impact the rest of your project. Remember, most technical / implementation tasks take longer than we ever think they will (especially when aesthetics are involved). It’s not a bad idea to multiply the time for each task by 1.5.
I will get this assignment done ASAP!
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project. This can be a very useful addition, but I am flexible about this, given our compressed time frame. If you have been reading particular resources that are helping you think about your project, please list them (or add them as you go) and include short comments / summaries about the resource. This section can also include listening materials or other kinds of creative work that informs your project.
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
I plan to create another soundscape with the idea of evoking some sort of emotion that is currently undetermined. My last soundscape seemed to give off a horror type vibe, which was not wholly intentional, so I am currently playing around with the idea of intentionally creating some sort of horror ambience.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
I will be using Reaper, the recorder, and sounds gathered off of the internet.
3. Please describe a basic timeline for the implementation of the project.
I hope to have a bulk of the sounds that I plan on using not long after we return from break – at least before the start of December. From there on out I’ll just implement it into Reaper. I should have a solid work in progress up by the second weekend of December.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.
Currently none.
Final AE Project
1. I want to make a sonic art project using voice and color. I started out thinking I could record several voices saying the same sentence and apply color, according to a formula, to their sine wave pattern. I discovered, in speaking with Thomas, that the science here is not solid and what I’m trying to do would be quite difficult to achieve. Instead, I have decided to use the voices and mix color in using a more artistic and less scientific means.
The articles that intrigued me:
https://theconversation.com/is-every-human-voice-and-fingerprint-really-unique-63739
Translating Sound to Color
The Color of Sound
Visual Music
I am going to capture the oscillations or sine wave of each voice sample and apply color to each, varying the color and tools I use to create something visually interesting with a spoken sound track that I will manipulate from its original state.
2. The tools I need are Reaper, Audacity, Sonic Visualizer, QuickTime and iMovie. I will also be using our recorders to capture the voice samples.
3. Weeks of Nov 14, Nov 21—Record voices (have two already).
Experiment with capturing sine waves in Reaper, Audacity & Sonic Visualizer and apply color to them and import to iMovie. Do individually as visuals then move audio tracks in.
Week of Nov 28—Refine order, add glitches in, work on video editing.
Week of Dec 5—Finish project and present.
4. References above. Additional references are manuals for each tech tool I’m using and
The Many Colors of Sound
How the Voice Works
HTML Color Codes
http://ciufo.org/mhc/203_fl17/reading/schulz_sound_art.pdf
(objective qualities of physical objects and spaces)
Is Every Human Voice Really Different (voice recognition is being used, potential for hacking, etc.)
Why Human Voices are Different
(simple description of physical qualities that make voices different)
Physics of Loudmouths
(scientific descriptions of why voices differ)
Academy of Otolaryngology
(the main parts of voice production)
Update: today I decided to shift my project to a combination of voice and voice’print’ as well as photographs with sounds accompanying each. It is easier to show than tell this idea. I am also adding some common element of sound–perhaps an underscoring as a song or a noise to tie things together.
Now adding in the app Virtual ANS, I can produce graphic and audio representations of sounds and photos. My iMovie should be interesting and I will add something written as well.
1. I want to do what I thought this class would be about before this semester started, which is combining natural sound and composed music. In one of the first few classes we had, Thomas played a piece with natural sound in the background and flute as the main tone, and I still remember that at that time I immediately texted my friend telling her: I’m listening to a piece that I think we might be doing in the future in this class. And this idea kept in my mind until now. The first project of mine was just recording and the second was just instrumental music so for this final one I want to combine them and define what acoustic ecology and sonic art means to me.
2. I would only need the recorder as my main material but I also need instruments like drum set, guitar, etc. This time I might not use logic pro anymore but I’ll definitely use reaper.
3. For this week and the week after thanksgiving I will mainly focus on recording sounds, but hopefully I can start editing on the second half of the first week of December.
4. Reference would be the song that Thomas played in class and some traditional Chinese music because some of them contains water sound as the background but I cannot give specific references for now.
I don’t know how to edit this but I just checked the calendar and by saying the second half of the first week of December I actually mean the last week of November.
NEW PROPOSAL
1. Idea: water composition
Combining different kinds of water sound (e.g. water drops and streams and water falls together) to make a composition of water music. It may not necessarily become a music piece but just a similar idea and different combinations can definitely turn into music.
2. Materials: Recorder, reaper, free sounds if needed
3. For this week starting today and over the weekend I will make some recordings of water and start editing next week (Dec 5th)
4.Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP8dUlLzT8U
Water music composed by Tan Dun
http://tandun.com/composition/water-music/
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
For my project, I would like to implement some sort of experimental music or sound art and if I have time, implement some visual effects as well.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
I will use freesound.org and record some sounds and distort them. I will also use Reaper and another software that can implement visuals.
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project.
The timeline for my project is research some more sound examples that I would like to base my project on and research some of the methods how those artists made their pieces. Then look for some sounds that I think will mend well together. Finally implement some visuals that go with the song.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.
Brian Eno- Discreet Music
Cascone, The Aesthetics of Failure
Licht, Sound Art: Origins, Development, and Ambiguities
*I will be adding more as I do more research
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
For my project I have gotten my inspiration from Brian Eno’s Discreet Music and Oval/ Markus Popp, Meditation. I would like to combine atmospheric, soothing, and relaxing tones with various types of bells. I have looked up some meditative type sounds on freesound.org as well as regular bells, wind chimes, and Tibetan bells. I enjoyed Brian Eno’s message about music not always having a purpose; that it can just be in the background. I decided to go with the same idea and apply a calming tone to my sound piece. Then also add a visual aspect that illustrates abstract shapes and lines according to the music.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
I will use freesound.org and record some sounds and distort them. I will also use Reaper and another software that can implement visuals, most likely soundspectrum.com
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project.
– Obtain all the sounds (bells, ambient/soothing music) by Nov 30
– Then layer the sounds and combine them to sound aesthetically pleasing to see a rough draft of how my piece would sound like – Dec 3
-Make some edits to the piece so it sounds smooth and it sounds as if it is building up and then add the music visualizer. – Dec 8
-Make any final edits
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.
Brian Eno- Discreet Music
Oval/ Markus Popp Meditation
Cascone, The Aesthetics of Failure
Toop, The Generation Game: Experimental Music and Digital Culture.
Licht, Sound Art: Origins, Development, and Ambiguities
*I will be adding more as I do more research
What is my Project?
Well, with most of them, I am very clueless on what I want to end up with. I really want to create a child-like and immature atmosphere. Something along the lines of playful wonderment. I’m not sure how to since a lot of the sounds I put together end up sounding like the terminator coming back, but I really enjoy sounds like this. This is also a project that I want to make that allows for a sense of relaxation and resolve. Think Lisa Gerrard’s Now We Are Free feels. I think learning how to use less sounds with more impact will help greatly in this case. This is my primary concept, but there are others that range more on the dark and brooding. I feel like a lot of the sounds so far, a darkish and I want to make some light and rich with heavier ambience. I was also thinking about doing something more personal, I’m not quite sure what, but I do know it would have meaning in my life. This is a completely different idea, but I figured I would mention it in case I change my mind by the final revision. I don’t have any sample sounds yet. Not sure if I’ll make it exactly to this idea, but I’ll have some fun trying.
Materials and tools?
I plan on getting some more recordings with the field recordings and see what things I can modify into an ambience. I am worried about how to add enough sounds to make it interesting and upbeat without overdoing it. I tend to throw things in and hope for the best as I go, it’s worked out so far, but I’m hoping to go into a direction that doesn’t involve so much going on. I think that will be my biggest challenge when it comes to the final project, knowing when enough is enough. I do want to do a little research on some styles that use everyday things to create light-feelings (I don’t really know how to describe it, but if you listen to the song above, you’ll understand).
Time-line?
My timeline will first consist of researching some ways to create and manipulate everyday sounds into ambiences since I really started doing that only in the last project. I’m hoping to start this after I solidify my proposal and I think it would take about a day to two days to find what I need. Afterwards would be recording, I have already begun this, but I plan to spend at least two hours every other day, when needed, getting recordings from MHC, Amherst, and possibly some voice mail for the second idea. I think you already picked up the fact that I kind of explore what things can do, so I don’t really know if I am going to use new technologies that would be a time-hog. If I do encounter one, I would say that it would be a maximum of three days working with it. If I can’t figure it out by then, I’ll let it go or ask for help.
References?
Well for the first idea: Lisa Gerrard’s Now We Are Free
I think it gives the uplifting and wonderment feel I want in my sound piece. I would say this is a song that inspires the piece rather than I want some part of it in the piece.
For the second idea: If I choose this one that has meaning, I will most likely use some voice mails from my mom. From there, I am still planning.
Final Project Proposal
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible. What is the project, and what is your primary motivation, interest, or concept? Some of this may be a bit speculative at this stage, but do your best, and acknowledge the parts that are unresolved. Sometimes formulating the key questions is as important as how you actually answer them…
I would like to explore underwater sounds and sounds in an underwater environment. I’ve done some research into how sounds travel through water and the different sounds that fish make. I would like to try to understand this concept better, and learn more about how I as well as other anthropogenic causes create sounds in an underwater environment. I would like to maybe make my own underwater sounds and make it into a composition, or even possibly make an sound art installation that makes sounds underwater with a current, or even artificially create a soundscape that mimics a true underwater environment. This could just end in a paper or a powerpoint presentation; I’m still kind of unsure.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project. What are the specific technologies involved, and what are the outstanding research or implementation issues that you are taking on?. Be honest here, to the best of your ability. This will help you identify any outstanding implementing issues, and structure your time accordingly.
I would need a computer with access to google and possibly journals, all of which I already have. This would be so that I can do research on underwater sounds, how anthropogenic sources of sound travel through water and impact the organisms there, how sound travels, what kind of sounds are prevalent, etc. I’d also be interested in using a hydrophone if it would be possible in any regard to get my hands on one. I would also need access to reaper, whcih is already downloaded on my computer and is also on the computers in the lab. I would also consider using the makerspace to create a sound art installation or underwater “musical instrument”.
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project. This does not need to involve every detail, but try to be realistic, as this will help you gauge how much you can take on. Make sure and place any new technologies / research early in your time line, as they will dramatically impact the rest of your project. Remember, most technical / implementation tasks take longer than we ever think they will (especially when aesthetics are involved). It’s not a bad idea to multiply the time for each task by 1.5.
I would likely need 5 hours to research what I would like to research about water and sounds. I may need longer to research what makes the most sound and how sounds impact the organisms within it. I would like to experiment and make recordings if obtaining a hydrophone is possible in any way. I would also probably need a significant amount of time to realize this project in a soundscape composition or an art installation or underwater “musical instrument” of some kind.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project. This can be a very useful addition, but I am flexible about this, given our compressed time frame. If you have been reading particular resources that are helping you think about your project, please list them (or add them as you go) and include short comments / summaries about the resource. This section can also include listening materials or other kinds of creative work that informs your project.
This isn’t an extensive list or anything, and I know it isn’t cited accurately and that it’s just a list of websites, but I think it’s a good list so far.
http://dosits.org/galleries/audio-gallery/
An audio gallery of sounds that marine organisms make.
http://dosits.org/science/
A lot of good resources about sounds in different environments, the science behind it, and human impact.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_acoustics
(I won’t use wikipedia in a final project, I just figure it’s a good place to find additional resources and get some general information on the topic)
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/sound.html
Good resource on the science behind sound in the water/ocean.
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
: I have several ideas for projects and I will choose one depending on the time and difficulty..
i)create a short animation: there has been this melody that I had in mind for couple years, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to make it to real life!
ii)collect random sounds at a certain pitch and combine them(more tech): I have recently had interest in data science and thought it would be cool if I could combine the two fields of music and data science!
iii)experiment with sounds of crumpling paper in different conditions(such as dampness, thickness, width, etc of paper): this idea hit me randomly too as I was throwing papers away. It would be similar to producing sounds from glasses with different amounts of water in each. If I do this, I’m not sure whether they should all be different papers, or same papers with different conditions.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
: i)recordings, piano, free sounds, possibly an easy animation tool or powerpoints
ii)possibly java..or any data science software. I also found this site: https://research.google.com/audioset/index.html
iii)papers
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project.
: i)I will first create a short storyboard. After a synopsis is made, I’ll start along creating the music(or rather the background music) along with scenes. Then I’ll adjust putting the scenes and music together, and make final touches.
ii)This probably will take the longest maybe the shortest time. I will first have to explore each software and then specify the topic I want to collect data in. Once a specific topic(for example “sounds of birds”) data are collected-I’ll need to find a way to convert the sounds to wav files and use reaper.
iii)This process will fairly be easy-I just have to find the right number and types of paper, and record the crumpled/ sounds! Then I’ll use reaper to combine the sounds together.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.:
i)The reference would be possibly from my dream, since the music I had in mind came from my dream, and also animations of Hayao Miyazaki, a Japanese animation producer. A lot of his pieces are about environments too, and I think the background compositions go along well with the animations itself.
ii)The reference would be from Audioset-the link I posted before. Also, my computer classes would be a reference to for software aspects.
iii)From Toop’s article “The Generation Game: Experimental Music and Digital Culture”. The very first part of Jae-eun Choi’s project with the papers-brought the interest as also. Also, I would refer to various sounds of paper deformation.
I decided to work on the short animation, considering the time and interest area. Usually it’s the story first and then the composition of music, but for my case I decided to do the opposite, since I have brief notes for the music. After I work on the music around a week to half, I’ll then create a story fit to the music composition. Considering the time phrase, if it takes more than a week and half to create the music, I’ll probably combine existing images/graphics instead of drawing by hand. For the music, I believe I’ll create it similar to the previous projects we did before, especially project 2. Since I haven’t decided on the specific storyboard yet I can’t tell what the topic will exactly be, but I’ll try to make the music overall mysterious and serene. The big picture of the animation will be a forest of bamboo trees.
Project Description: Laughter comes in all different shapes, sizes, and ages. This very raw, authentic, unique sound that is produced by various types of species. It’s a sound our senses are familiar with hearing, seeing, feeling, and touching. According to science, laughter is the best type of medicine out there. To list just a few, laughing more often can improve your immune system, can keep you younger longer, can count as exercise, and can reduce depression. I believe laughter is such a beautiful thing we are all capable of doing or experiencing. And as hard as we might try not to laugh, our deep-rooted howls never fail to resurface, displaying our most candid selves. For my final project, I would like to create a soundscape around human laughter to help encourage people to laugh more and often. This is a try not to laugh soundscape. Are you up for the challenge?
Project Materials: Will need field recordings of this action. As for editing, reaper will be a great tool as well as granular.
Project Timeline: 1 week to have a collection of rich field recordings & 1 week for editing.
Bibliography: 1. LaFrance, A. (2017). Solving the Mystery of Whose Laughter Is On the Golden Record. [online] The Atlantic. Available at: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/06/solving-the-mystery-of-whose-laughter-is-on-the-golden-record/532197/ [Accessed 16 Nov. 2017]. | 2. http://www.cmuse.org/signature-laugh-transcribed-to-sheet-music/. | 3. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
I have a couple of ideas, but am not sure about which one would be best one to pursue. One idea I have is to play more with the idea of looping. I did a little bit of that with the second project but it was hard to actually loop things because of the nature of the media that I was using so for this one I would use more generated sounds rather than recordings. Another idea I have is to play with the idea of different types of writing materials and how it sounds weather it’s being used to draw something or write something or the kind that it is (marker, pen, pencil, etc.) but also including other mediums to like typing for example, I’m not too sure about this one but it seems like a cool thing to explore.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
If I do go with the first idea, I think I would be using Garageband instead of Reaper just because there is already a sound library with loops that I could pull from, which would be ideal given the amount of time that we have. If I go with the second idea, I would be using Reaper as well as the field recordings of the different sounds that I would be exploring.
3. Please describe a basic timeline for the implementation of the project.
Again, time dependent on which project idea I go with. I will probably be doing some rapid prototyping in the next couple days and during break to see which one I like better. So, about a week or two for the development of the actual piece.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.
The Toop article definitely was a starting point and the materials that we listened to from Brian Eno definitely are places of inspiration. I will also do more listening and research in the next few days.
I decided that I am going to combine both elements in that I’ll be recording sounds that are associated with writing so making recordings of different pens/pencil/marker on paper and creating my own loops, essentially, to generate a final soundscape with maybe one or two of the loops from garageband. I am going to be recording different speeds as well as lengths of scribble sounds (is that what you call them?) and make a piece using that combines both of those aspects of the previous ideas that I had. I am listening to more sounds of pieces that use looping as the main element to help inspire what I will be doing with my own piece.
Final Project Proposal
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible. What is the project, and what is your primary motivation, interest, or concept? Some of this may be a bit speculative at this stage, but do your best, and acknowledge the parts that are unresolved. Sometimes formulating the key questions is as important as how you actually answer them…
I am interested in creating a sound art piece that uses bird calls from endangered, threatened, and special concern New England birds. I’m not exactly sure how the project will turn out, I usually start working with the sounds, then figure out my direction with the project. This project will be some sort of commentary on climate change and habitat loss – once I get into the project more I will have a more clear idea of what I am trying to accomplish.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project. What are the specific technologies involved, and what are the outstanding research or implementation issues that you are taking on?. Be honest here, to the best of your ability. This will help you identify any outstanding implementing issues, and structure your time accordingly.
I am going to use bird call records online and reaper to edit the sounds. I have begun the process of looking for high quality bird calls online that I can use.
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project. This does not need to involve every detail, but try to be realistic, as this will help you gauge how much you can take on. Make sure and place any new technologies / research early in your time line, as they will dramatically impact the rest of your project. Remember, most technical / implementation tasks take longer than we ever think they will (especially when aesthetics are involved). It’s not a bad idea to multiply the time for each task by 1.5.
I am going to find the calls that I want to use, and then start working with the sounds. Once I get started on creating the sound art, I will have a better understanding of what I need. I plan to begin working with the sounds over Thanksgiving break so that I will have adequate time to figure out what else I need to find.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project. This can be a very useful addition, but I am flexible about this, given our compressed time frame. If you have been reading particular resources that are helping you think about your project, please list them (or add them as you go) and include short comments / summaries about the resource. This section can also include listening materials or other kinds of creative work that informs your project.
I started my research with this list from the Mass gov website on endangered species: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/list-of-vertebrates
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has some great resources that I plan on using: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1478
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible. What is the project, and what is your primary motivation, interest, or concept? Some of this may be a bit speculative at this stage, but do your best, and acknowledge the parts that are unresolved. Sometimes formulating the key questions is as important as how you actually answer them…
I am working on creating an acoustic ecology piece that explores why terns are endangered in Massachusetts and how their absence could impact how MA beaches sound in the future. I am focusing my project on the the Common Tern, Roseate Tern, and Arctic tern which live on the beaches, lakes, and bays. Terns are endangered because of an increase in habitat destruction and increased predation. The food that tourists leave on beaches attract gulls and allow them to increase in population. As a result, the Great Black-backed Gull and the Herring Gull consume more terns and drive down their populations. My approach is to present tern calls that are interrupted by the sounds of beach-goers and gulls as they compete for space in the area. I will present gull calls with the sounds of people talking to show how these factors are connected in their threat to tern populations.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project. What are the specific technologies involved, and what are the outstanding research or implementation issues that you are taking on?. Be honest here, to the best of your ability. This will help you identify any outstanding implementing issues, and structure your time accordingly.
I used bird calls from the Audubon Guide to North American birds. I also used sounds of the ocean and beach-goers from free sound. I then used Reaper to edit the sounds into a cohesive piece.
3. Please describe a basic time line for the implementation of the project. This does not need to involve every detail, but try to be realistic, as this will help you gauge how much you can take on. Make sure and place any new technologies / research early in your time line, as they will dramatically impact the rest of your project. Remember, most technical / implementation tasks take longer than we ever think they will (especially when aesthetics are involved). It’s not a bad idea to multiply the time for each task by 1.5.
I will get this assignment done ASAP!
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project. This can be a very useful addition, but I am flexible about this, given our compressed time frame. If you have been reading particular resources that are helping you think about your project, please list them (or add them as you go) and include short comments / summaries about the resource. This section can also include listening materials or other kinds of creative work that informs your project.
I started my research with this list from the Mass gov website on endangered species: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/list-of-vertebrates
Information about tern population decline: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=326078
More information about tern population decline: http://projectpuffin.audubon.org/decoys/common-tern
Great Black-backed Gull: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/great-black-backed-gull
Herring Gull: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/herring-gull
Common Tern: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/common-tern
Roseate Tern: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/roseate-tern
Arctic Tern: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/arctic-tern
1. Please describe your project as clearly as possible.
I plan to create another soundscape with the idea of evoking some sort of emotion that is currently undetermined. My last soundscape seemed to give off a horror type vibe, which was not wholly intentional, so I am currently playing around with the idea of intentionally creating some sort of horror ambience.
2. Please describe the materials and technical tools for your project.
I will be using Reaper, the recorder, and sounds gathered off of the internet.
3. Please describe a basic timeline for the implementation of the project.
I hope to have a bulk of the sounds that I plan on using not long after we return from break – at least before the start of December. From there on out I’ll just implement it into Reaper. I should have a solid work in progress up by the second weekend of December.
4. Ideally, your proposal would include a short bibliography of references that inform or conceptualize your project.
Currently none.