This week's presentations were felt shorter than last week's. The first one was this really interesting program that lets you record some samples and will manipulate the sound as soon as you record it, and you can keep recording new sounds. It's made more interesting as the guy who presented his program actually used mics to speak with us behind some screen (because he needs to record).
Another presentation was of this composition for the Arts festival. The purpose of the piece is to accompany a picture exhibition (in the festival) so that the people who visit the gallery feels as if they enter a different realm and not just see the pictures for a few seconds before leaving. It is a really nice concept and done nicely.
The last two presentations were of different sounds that can be made of a guitar (not necessarily plucked or strummed). The first one was interesting, as it feels like it's building up pretty nicely. Despite that, the presenter was not really confident with the piece that he just fast-forwarded most parts. I thought it was great.
The last one was a similar thing, but of a more commercial sound and there is a visual accompaniment to the sound, as it shows how is the piece done.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Week 4 - CC1 - Audio Sequencing
This week's assignment is to use the samples we recorded and edited earlier on to compose a piece based on a graphic file given to us. We use ProTool sequencing program to compile and manipulate the sound.
I basically came up with this thing.
Whether this piece is successful or not, I don't know and I am not sure. But it has been fun trying to figure out new stuff on ProTools.
Here's the graphic we had to work with.
And here's what I've got on protool.
I basically came up with this thing.
Whether this piece is successful or not, I don't know and I am not sure. But it has been fun trying to figure out new stuff on ProTools.
Here's the graphic we had to work with.
And here's what I've got on protool.
Week 4 - AA1 - Microphones
So I had a friend of mine coming in to record some chords with the classical guitar the EMU storeroom has. I used the SM57 and NT3. With each mics, I used different positions, mic close to the guitar, mic slightly further than the guitar and mic pointed at a totally opposite direction from the guitar.
The results are pretty cool, although the recording sounds much too soft; I probably need to normalise it (which I didn't do).
Here's the recording, I lost the recording of the close up SM57 for some reason. So there are only 5 sound samples:
The obvious difference that I can hear from NT3 and SM57 is the fact that NT3 is so much louder (because it's a condenser). Close up NT3 position give a lot of bass and sounds pretty unpleasant (although gloriously loud). NT3 placed slightly further sounds really good and NT3 placed opposite did have the similar sound as SM57, only slightly louder.
The results are pretty cool, although the recording sounds much too soft; I probably need to normalise it (which I didn't do).
Here's the recording, I lost the recording of the close up SM57 for some reason. So there are only 5 sound samples:
- Far SM57
- Opposite SM57
- Close up NT3
- Far NT3
- Opposite NT3
The obvious difference that I can hear from NT3 and SM57 is the fact that NT3 is so much louder (because it's a condenser). Close up NT3 position give a lot of bass and sounds pretty unpleasant (although gloriously loud). NT3 placed slightly further sounds really good and NT3 placed opposite did have the similar sound as SM57, only slightly louder.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Week 3 - Forum - Presentations
This week's forum is all about presentations made by year 3 students. Excuse me but I forgot all their names already...
First one was this really cool audio-visual presentation. The audio is nice, I love it but the visual aspect of it is slightly disturbing as it was this blinking and flashing blinding lights that made my eyes really painful (I can't stand bright lights in the dark). But I'm pretty impressed with the whole thing. It's dedicated to the good ol' cathode tube stuff on TV. Since we now have plasma TVs.
The second one was pretty impressive too, although to be honest, I forgot what it was... But I remember enjoying it.
The third presentation, is by far my favourite. He showed us two pieces. The first one was an ambient music. He basically made a program that does things that I don't understand. And then after 20 times of trying out the program, he only liked one outcome, which according to Stephen, a really good statistic! Anyway I love the ambient sounds and it sounds like something that acoustic instruments can play (orchestra?) and might be suitable for movies. His second piece was also great. It started with this minimalistic ensemble of four guitars before it goes to this section of music (I forgot what it's called) that uses images to produce sounds (that sounds like pure noise, but sounds REALLY cool!). And at the end was this cute D major perfect cadence on the keyboard.
First one was this really cool audio-visual presentation. The audio is nice, I love it but the visual aspect of it is slightly disturbing as it was this blinking and flashing blinding lights that made my eyes really painful (I can't stand bright lights in the dark). But I'm pretty impressed with the whole thing. It's dedicated to the good ol' cathode tube stuff on TV. Since we now have plasma TVs.
The second one was pretty impressive too, although to be honest, I forgot what it was... But I remember enjoying it.
The third presentation, is by far my favourite. He showed us two pieces. The first one was an ambient music. He basically made a program that does things that I don't understand. And then after 20 times of trying out the program, he only liked one outcome, which according to Stephen, a really good statistic! Anyway I love the ambient sounds and it sounds like something that acoustic instruments can play (orchestra?) and might be suitable for movies. His second piece was also great. It started with this minimalistic ensemble of four guitars before it goes to this section of music (I forgot what it's called) that uses images to produce sounds (that sounds like pure noise, but sounds REALLY cool!). And at the end was this cute D major perfect cadence on the keyboard.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Week 3 - CC1 - Frequency Based Sound Editing
Sample 1
Using the lasso tool, I cut some chunks of the frequency and moved some sideways and transposing the frequency higher.
Sample 2
I used the paper that I teared quickly as the basic sound I edited. All I basically did was just to get small chunks of the sound and move them so they are displaced and transposed.
Sample 3
With this one, I cut off the high and medium frequency, leaving only the lower frequency. And I also increased the frequency and slowed the speed down slightly.
Sample 4
With sample 4, i deleted big chunks of the frequency from all over the sound and slowed down the speed of playback.
Sample 5
I slowed down the playback speed. On top of that, I deleted the whole horizontal blocks every random intervals. Then I copied some remaining blocks of frequency and moved it around.
---
EDIT:
I found out that www.box.net does only let you download the file and that could be pretty troublesome. So, on the next project I will probably just use www.ripway.com again.
Using the lasso tool, I cut some chunks of the frequency and moved some sideways and transposing the frequency higher.
Sample 2
I used the paper that I teared quickly as the basic sound I edited. All I basically did was just to get small chunks of the sound and move them so they are displaced and transposed.
Sample 3
With this one, I cut off the high and medium frequency, leaving only the lower frequency. And I also increased the frequency and slowed the speed down slightly.
Sample 4
With sample 4, i deleted big chunks of the frequency from all over the sound and slowed down the speed of playback.
Sample 5
I slowed down the playback speed. On top of that, I deleted the whole horizontal blocks every random intervals. Then I copied some remaining blocks of frequency and moved it around.
---
EDIT:
I found out that www.box.net does only let you download the file and that could be pretty troublesome. So, on the next project I will probably just use www.ripway.com again.
Week 3 - AA1 - Headphones
We were shown how to connect headphones. David was telling us that a good engineer will listen to all sort of things, like the headphones the musicians are hearing, the main mix, and so on. So we went to studio to check out the headphones. Turns out that the EMU headphone slots are for channels 3 and 4. We were then looking for which ones connects up to 1 and 2. Channel 1 turns out to be linked to the dead room but we didn't find out where 2 goes to, but it could be Studio 1.
Anyway, we went to try out the headphones (as well as practicing the start up procedures). When we went there, a large group of people were recording in the EMU and Studio 1. So instead of using a radio, Jamie played the guitar in the dead room while we set up the headphones.
The guitar is connected to the dead room's wall bay for Input 1 and the headphones are connected to it's input on the wall bay too. Normal patches are applied to the patchbay and the Mackie mixer.
On top of that, Aux 1 and 2 are used to control the output to the headphones in the dead room. We could also set up the left and right side of the headphones.
Anyway, we went to try out the headphones (as well as practicing the start up procedures). When we went there, a large group of people were recording in the EMU and Studio 1. So instead of using a radio, Jamie played the guitar in the dead room while we set up the headphones.
The guitar is connected to the dead room's wall bay for Input 1 and the headphones are connected to it's input on the wall bay too. Normal patches are applied to the patchbay and the Mackie mixer.
On top of that, Aux 1 and 2 are used to control the output to the headphones in the dead room. We could also set up the left and right side of the headphones.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Forum - Week 2 - Blogging
Were talking about blogging, some terms derived from blogging world as well as some blogging etiquette.
Well, Stephen started up the class with asking us to introduce ourselves to the class. And then the discussion started with the topic of blogging. Stephen read out some of his findings based on his readings about blog. "To blog or not to blog," that is the question.
To be honest, I was pretty confused as to why are we talking about blogging in Music Technology forum, but I guess blogging is one of the many results of the development of technology. The reason we discussed about blogging could also due to the fact that we do use blog in Music Technology as a way to submit our portfolio. We also discussed whether it is a good way to pass up our portfolio through blogs.
Some other topics we covered were the value of an information and the etiquette of blogging. In some media, an information become more valuable as more media stores the information whereas in some others an information become less valuable as more media stores that information. Blogging has some etiquettes that bloggers have to note too, and that includes the good old referencing.
Aside from all the seriousness, we had some fun with the invention of new blogging terms (neoblogism?). Like the fact that we live in the blogisphere (the world of blogging) and are in a blogademia. The tendency toward the blogging of everything is called blogalisation. Materials picked up by bloggers for their blogs are called blog fodder and feeding too much blog fodder can cause bloggarrhea. Meanwhile, a person who keeps checking their blogs on how much hits they have had is called a blog hawk. A person who maintains a relationship by the means of blogging is called blogamy and I guess more than one relationship would be called polyblogamy. Unfortunately there are some really famous bloggers called blogerati who in turn outshines many bloggers which results in bloglivions (unpopular blogs).
Well, Stephen started up the class with asking us to introduce ourselves to the class. And then the discussion started with the topic of blogging. Stephen read out some of his findings based on his readings about blog. "To blog or not to blog," that is the question.
To be honest, I was pretty confused as to why are we talking about blogging in Music Technology forum, but I guess blogging is one of the many results of the development of technology. The reason we discussed about blogging could also due to the fact that we do use blog in Music Technology as a way to submit our portfolio. We also discussed whether it is a good way to pass up our portfolio through blogs.
Some other topics we covered were the value of an information and the etiquette of blogging. In some media, an information become more valuable as more media stores the information whereas in some others an information become less valuable as more media stores that information. Blogging has some etiquettes that bloggers have to note too, and that includes the good old referencing.
Aside from all the seriousness, we had some fun with the invention of new blogging terms (neoblogism?). Like the fact that we live in the blogisphere (the world of blogging) and are in a blogademia. The tendency toward the blogging of everything is called blogalisation. Materials picked up by bloggers for their blogs are called blog fodder and feeding too much blog fodder can cause bloggarrhea. Meanwhile, a person who keeps checking their blogs on how much hits they have had is called a blog hawk. A person who maintains a relationship by the means of blogging is called blogamy and I guess more than one relationship would be called polyblogamy. Unfortunately there are some really famous bloggers called blogerati who in turn outshines many bloggers which results in bloglivions (unpopular blogs).
Thursday, March 13, 2008
CC1 - Week 2 - Audio Editing
We were shown how to edit an audio last Thursday and it was cool. Christian did it with a sample sound of a tom. He cut the attack, then reversed the audio cropped, bounced, and did all sort of things with Peak software. It was cool. And we were asked to record sound samples that is created by paper (ripped, crunched, scraped, etc.) and to edit it. It should last for about 45 seconds.
I recorded my sound samples on the two days I did my AA task for the week.
Shake
The original sample of the sound was the paper being waved like a flag. Then I changed the reverb and put delay on it.
Scrunch
The paper was scrunched and then I changed the reverb and reversed the audio. I also lowered the pitch down slightly.
Fast Tear
For this one, I tore the A4 paper quickly and changed the reverb. I think I also cut the attack of the sound.
Slow Tear
Tore the paper slowly, and then I added reverb. I also added a delay effect and reversed it.
Flick
Flicked the paper with my fingers and edited the reverb to a large hall.
I recorded my sound samples on the two days I did my AA task for the week.
Shake
The original sample of the sound was the paper being waved like a flag. Then I changed the reverb and put delay on it.
Scrunch
The paper was scrunched and then I changed the reverb and reversed the audio. I also lowered the pitch down slightly.
Fast Tear
For this one, I tore the A4 paper quickly and changed the reverb. I think I also cut the attack of the sound.
Slow Tear
Tore the paper slowly, and then I added reverb. I also added a delay effect and reversed it.
Flick
Flicked the paper with my fingers and edited the reverb to a large hall.
AA1 - Week 2 - Recording Studio Start Up Procedures
So we were shown how to properly start up Studio 2 in the EMU, it was pretty cool as we got to see the practical stuff of music technology. At the end of the class, we were asked to book a few sessions and perform the start up procedures. I booked Friday 10AM and Monday 1PM.
Friday 10AM
Went to Studio 2 to try out starting up a studio (and do the CC1's homework too, which is to record paper sounds). It felt so cool going into a studio by myself... Switched on the lights, then checked that the speakers are off and then then mains power. Then I did as the instruction sheet instructed and switched on the rest of the machines, which pretty much look alien to me. I used the Avalon pre-amps because David showed us how to use that one earlier on.
Then, I got an SM58 and a mic stand to try out recording the paper sounds, but I thought I couldn't get any input to the pro tools. So I went in and out the studio to the mic cabinets like a madman for roughly 10 minutes before settling on the SM58 again (I took out NT3's too but couldn't find the battery!).
After connecting the stuff I needed to connect to on the patchbay (mic to HiZ Avalon input, Avalon output to ProTools input and ProTools output to line 15 and 16 for playback), I could record the paper sounds.
Shutdown procedures was just as easy as start up, switched off the speakers, normalised everything on the Mackie and switched off the rest of the machines.
I'll do that again on Monday.
Monday 1PM
This session went well, I have memorised the procedures (although I referred to the paper just to make sure). No problems at all in terms of mics as I didn't need to run back and forth like I did before this (I used the SM58 again).
Instead of using Avalon pre-amps, I used the Mackie pre-amps this time. Recorded more samples of the paper sound.
Friday 10AM
Went to Studio 2 to try out starting up a studio (and do the CC1's homework too, which is to record paper sounds). It felt so cool going into a studio by myself... Switched on the lights, then checked that the speakers are off and then then mains power. Then I did as the instruction sheet instructed and switched on the rest of the machines, which pretty much look alien to me. I used the Avalon pre-amps because David showed us how to use that one earlier on.
Then, I got an SM58 and a mic stand to try out recording the paper sounds, but I thought I couldn't get any input to the pro tools. So I went in and out the studio to the mic cabinets like a madman for roughly 10 minutes before settling on the SM58 again (I took out NT3's too but couldn't find the battery!).
After connecting the stuff I needed to connect to on the patchbay (mic to HiZ Avalon input, Avalon output to ProTools input and ProTools output to line 15 and 16 for playback), I could record the paper sounds.
Shutdown procedures was just as easy as start up, switched off the speakers, normalised everything on the Mackie and switched off the rest of the machines.
I'll do that again on Monday.
Monday 1PM
This session went well, I have memorised the procedures (although I referred to the paper just to make sure). No problems at all in terms of mics as I didn't need to run back and forth like I did before this (I used the SM58 again).
Instead of using Avalon pre-amps, I used the Mackie pre-amps this time. Recorded more samples of the paper sound.
Forum - Week 1 - The Synergy Project
We went to UniSA to attend a forum called The Synergy Project last Friday (instead of our normal Thursday forum). It was cool to watch those professionals who work in the fields of media/music that involve technology.
The presenters range from a visual artist, technologician, composer, game developer, etc.
It was quite an enlightening experience as we saw these people who uses even their University projects and developing them further to a big commercial product.
The presenters range from a visual artist, technologician, composer, game developer, etc.
It was quite an enlightening experience as we saw these people who uses even their University projects and developing them further to a big commercial product.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
CC1 - Week 1 - System
Today's tute is about Systems including the DME (Desktop Music Environment). Christian was reading the course outline, the aims of the course and mentioning a few websites that we can use. It's a delightful thing to know that we will be using Mac OS (not that I'm surprised, seeing as the Audio Lab is filled with MacPros). At the end, he "threw" us straight into doing the week's assignment.
Creating a MIDI Network between Two Computers
So I paired up with Simon (was is Simon?) and we used the AMS to go to MIDI Network Setup to create a session and we connected our computers (computer 4 nd 5). And then we changed the setup at MidiKeys software. On mine (third pic), Destination is set up to ReMOTE SL: Port 1 and listens to Network: Session 1 (previously set up on the MIDI Network Setup). On Simon's, Destination is set to Network: Session 1 and listens to ReMOTE SL: Port 1 and the thru button is pushed. After doing those, what Simon played on his MIDI Controller can be seen on my screen (through MidiKeys). Here are some pics (first two is Simon's and the third mine).
Creating a MIDI Network between Two Computers
So I paired up with Simon (was is Simon?) and we used the AMS to go to MIDI Network Setup to create a session and we connected our computers (computer 4 nd 5). And then we changed the setup at MidiKeys software. On mine (third pic), Destination is set up to ReMOTE SL: Port 1 and listens to Network: Session 1 (previously set up on the MIDI Network Setup). On Simon's, Destination is set to Network: Session 1 and listens to ReMOTE SL: Port 1 and the thru button is pushed. After doing those, what Simon played on his MIDI Controller can be seen on my screen (through MidiKeys). Here are some pics (first two is Simon's and the third mine).
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
AA1 - Week 1 - Recording Session Plan
First AA forum was already fast paced. I, being a classically trained musician, was confused throughout the forum. David mentioned some pointers on being a successful sound engineer, adding some of his own recording experiences. Towards the end of the session, he mentioned Beatles’ sound engineer Jeff (I think it’s Sanders) and some of his experimental techniques with sound recording. David also stressed the importance of planning ahead recording session.
We were then told to pick a band and create a recording plan including the types of mics are to be used. I was really clueless about mics, so I talked to David at the end of the class. I then decided to go to the EML to borrow some books about mics and start getting an idea about different types of mics. On top of that, I search on some things on the internet and asked my friend about recording.
So here’s my session plan (please note that there are bound to be mistakes because I don't know anything at all about recording).
Session Plan for Live Recording in a Studio
Song: Love Enough
Band: Hillsong United
Instruments
Drum set, Electric Bass, Lead Guitar (and singer), Solo Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Synths (2), 4 Back up Vocals.
Recording Orders
1. Rhythm section: Drum set, bass, guitars (acoustic and electric).
2. Lead vox
3. Back up vox
4. Synths
Notes: Take one of the rhythm section include a rough singing by the lead vox, recorded once as a guide.
Microphone Input List
Input Instrument Mic
1 KICK - Beta 52A
2 SN TOP - SM 57
3 SN BTM - AKG 414
4 HH - KM 84i
5 H. TOM - Beta 56A
6 L. TOM - MD421
7 OH L - NT5
8 OH R - NT5
9 BASS - DI
10 L. GTR - C-414 BULS
11 GTR SOLO - B57
12 GTR RTHM - B57
13 SYNTH 1 - DI
14 SYNTH 2 - DI
15, 16 BG. VOX - NT4
17 L. VOX NT3
We were then told to pick a band and create a recording plan including the types of mics are to be used. I was really clueless about mics, so I talked to David at the end of the class. I then decided to go to the EML to borrow some books about mics and start getting an idea about different types of mics. On top of that, I search on some things on the internet and asked my friend about recording.
So here’s my session plan (please note that there are bound to be mistakes because I don't know anything at all about recording).
- - -
Session Plan for Live Recording in a Studio
Song: Love Enough
Band: Hillsong United
Instruments
Drum set, Electric Bass, Lead Guitar (and singer), Solo Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Synths (2), 4 Back up Vocals.
Recording Orders
1. Rhythm section: Drum set, bass, guitars (acoustic and electric).
2. Lead vox
3. Back up vox
4. Synths
Notes: Take one of the rhythm section include a rough singing by the lead vox, recorded once as a guide.
Microphone Input List
Input Instrument Mic
1 KICK - Beta 52A
2 SN TOP - SM 57
3 SN BTM - AKG 414
4 HH - KM 84i
5 H. TOM - Beta 56A
6 L. TOM - MD421
7 OH L - NT5
8 OH R - NT5
9 BASS - DI
10 L. GTR - C-414 BULS
11 GTR SOLO - B57
12 GTR RTHM - B57
13 SYNTH 1 - DI
14 SYNTH 2 - DI
15, 16 BG. VOX - NT4
17 L. VOX NT3
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