Online Downloadable Sounds
Pixabay is a website with access to free downloadable sounds. Using Pixabay as a source to implement recordings that creatively, I’ve thought of, however, been unable to record has been a great asset, catering towards the success of the sonic affect and impact of my project. I have used editing techniques to create my own unique twist on these downloadable sounds developing my own concept and therefore distinguishing originality.
Pratical Progrestion
Experimentation (1)
The bongs of Big Ben were an important sound I wanted to incorporate at the beginning of my soundscape because its iconic distinguishable sound introduced the listener to London.
Editing
The recording has picked up ‘knocking/bashing’ sounds from the field recorder therefore using a low cut has removed the unwanted frequencies.
An EQ high cut emulates a psychedelic experience as low frequencies are bodily felt rather than heard.
Experimentation (2)
The introduction is such an important part to get right which has taken a lot of experimenting. I have taken the executive decision of removing Waterloo station as the primary ambience to introduce my soundscape as it clashes with the background ambience of the downloaded sound of Big Ben.
By removing the high frequencies I keep continuity of the texture. I describe the texture as a heavy and dark-sounding state of trance.
With this downloaded sound of Big Ben, I have created multiple unique sounds.
I have created a ‘riser’, this creates the effect that throws the listener into a transition.
I have panned these particular sounds, widening the audio spread and creating a more immersive experience.
I found this preset in alchemy that keeps texture continuity, a concept I learned about during an acousmatic music lesson.
Experimentation (3)
Before
After
I changed the arrangement of certain elements to better suit pace/rhythm and the overall impact of the sonic effect. I created more impact by changing the structure in this way.
During my research for element 1, I discovered the term motif (a recurring element of sound). I decided to incorporate my new knowledge into the Element 2 creative project. I demonstrated this by recurring the ‘breathing cyborg’ sound from sculpture as a transition from reality a psychedelic state.
Experimentation (4)
Implementing Field Recordings
The police siren adds building the ambience of London.
Using wet reverb, low-cut EQ as well as filters I have created police sires to sound hallucinogenic.
After the tension is built by the music composition, by using the field recording of the train a moment jumps the lister into reality. Anxity-inducing fight or flight sound.
By layering my field recordings I have created the feelings of anxiety using sound. This is intentional because the sonic environment is filled with sound pollution, and this is the result it has on our health and mental state of mind.
Without any editing, I achieved this ‘riser’ sound through field recording techniques. I learned by practice and listening creating ideas in the moment. I am super happy with the result, it creates a wonderful transition.
Aeroplanes and buses are two sounds dominating the sonic environment of London. Their industrial tonality takes over in a psychedelic state and becomes a sound of hyperfocus and fixation.
Experimentation (5)
Changes
I have removed the field recordings of Waterloo Station entirely. It felt forced into the composition, and although it was an environment of chaos, its indoor acoustic didn’t suit the continuity of the outdoor field recordings.
What’s New
From revisiting my previous university work the soundscapes have included a physical sound indicating the events taking place, for example, the sound of smoking replicating marijuana usage therefore using Pixabay I found a sound effect of swallowing which indicates a swolling of a substance causing the hallougetic tonailty.
Using Pixaby I downloaded a heartbeat sound that builds tension and anticipation for what’s to come.
Using the timestrech tool I have slowed down the heartbeat sound to better fit the pacing to build tension. I have taken a downloaded sound and with editing made it unique.
Experimentation (6)
Changes
I have used the time stretch tool to increase the speed of the heartbeat which guides the listener into emotions of stress and anxiety.
I have made subtle but effective compositional changes. For example, I have layered anxiety-inducing sustained pads behind the field recordings of rush hour London busy traffic to support the feeling of anxiety and overwhelmingness from the noise-polluted urban environment.
What’s New
The newly added layers of field recording capturing London and its chaotic environments are effective in achieving the ‘sonic affect’ theorised by Steve Goodman in the book Sonic Warfare. London’s densely noisy environment can be easily an environment where one can become lost in the noise. Therefore the sonic affect is anxiety-inducing showcased by using sound to convey emotions, this is showcased in film music demonstrated by new knowledge from element 1, however, I am creating a journey of emotions narratively constructing a journey using composition and field recordings.
The ending is created by a playful twist of the sounds we hear at the beginning. How we are thrown into the psychedelic experience/trip, the ending of my soundscape throws the listener out of the psychedelic state.
Using my field recordings from the London Underground captured the amazing low-frequency acoustics resinating in the architectural structure. The parabolic dish absorbs these frequencies, resulting in a powerful playback experience. Perfect for enticing a lister through feeling rather than hearing.
The ‘Anti Mater Injector’ is a sustained pad found in sculpture, very low in frequency it supports the field recordings acting as an emotional guild for the listener to feel anxious.
Conclusion
In conclusion, post-production has been a journey of experimentation, hearing what works, and what doesn’t. By using all of my skills from field recording in the production stage to editing in post-production, I have made use of all my previous skills learned from previous projects and units to be able to produce a soundscape to a level I am very proud of. I have experimented with more editing techniques than I usually have in the past. As my knowledge of Sound has progressed, my ear has been trained therefore, I’ve kept continuity through texture and being able to mix using EQ, where frequencies don’t become muddy, but become clear. I have used filters manipulating a sense of a psychedelic state, resembling moments of anxiety, transitioning between conscious and subconscious, symbolising reality and the internal reality of emotion. To further progress, I plan to research sound artists who compose soundscapes to gather inspiration.