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Training Module 1: Sound Design Intro and Audacity

Page history last edited by Baynard 12 years, 3 months ago

 

Training Assignment:

Make a 1-2 minute soundscape (i.e. a sound story) that uses each of the tools listed in the training section (basic edits, cuts, pastes, combining files, amplify, compression, envelope/fade). Try to have a narrative arc to it. If you use the files I provide and the examples I use in the tutorial videos, a simple "soundscape" progression could be:

 

  1. birds (cuts and pastes, amplify)

  2. steps

  3. library door (compression)

  4. inside steps

  5. keys

  6. office door

  7. computer starting

  8. keyboarding sounds (fade out)

 

I think this will take about 60 minutes. If you are inspired and want to use different sounds, then by all means, please do.

 

Outline:

A. Helping People with Sound Projects

B. Audacity Overview

C. Audacity Training

D. Training Exercise  - Due Tuesday November 4th 

 

Intro Video (1:31) - Helping People with Sound Projects

 

 

A. Helping People with Sound Projects

1. Analog to Digital Conversion

    - cassette to .mp3 - use the PC with the Plus Deck

    - cassette to .wav - use the sound editing station

2. Simple Sound Editing

    - owns a PC - use Audacity

    - owns a mac - Audacity or Garageband

3. Complex Sound Editing

     - use the sound editing station (Logic, Reason)

     - fireface interface (converts analog to digital)

     - things needing a keyboard  - use the sound station

 

B. Audacity Overview - Why Audacity?

     - open-source and free!

     - pretty good!

     - cross-platform (macs, PC's and Linux)

- works in an educational setting

 

C. Audacity Training 

1. Useful Links

2.  Importing & Opening Files Video (1:51)

  •  Download this folder of files for training purposes

  •  Open the file by going to the File Menu, import, then browse for your file (later used to export your file)

  • Download the tutorial files

3. File Types

  •   .wav, .aiff - lossless, high quality

  •   .mp3 , .aac - compressed file, low quality, iPod quality 

4. Audacity Tools & Interface Tour (1:09)

  • Selection Tool - you'll use this a lot

  • Envelope Tool - use this to adjust the volume, fade in, fade out

  • Zoom Tool - use this to view the wave form close up, control click to zoom back out

  • Draw Tool - for editing wave forms (skipped in this tutorial)

  • Timeshift Tool - for sliding tracks left or right (skipped in this tutorial)

  •  (for this training avoid the pencil, and the multi-tool) 

5. Basic Edits - Selecting, Copying and Pasting Tutorial (1:09)

 

  • Selecting  - use the selection tool to select pieces of the wave form

  • Deleting - edit menu, cut, or backspace key

  • Pasting - edit menu and paste, or apple - V

  • Shortcuts for repeating an insert - use the arrow key, then paste

  • Adding files and sliding tracks (1:00) 

 

6. Effects

  • Noise Removal Tool Video Tutorial- Noise Removal Tool Video (1:07)

     
  •  Amplify Tool Video Tutorial (0:30)

  •  Compression Tool Video Tutorial (0:47) - prevents loud noises from being too loud

  •  Fade Tool Video Tutorial (1:45) - use the envelope tool to shape the volume of the sound wave

7. Exporting Video Tutorial (1:10)

  •  for editing, use the uncompressed files

  •  generally, for sharing, use the compressed version

8. Other

  • Stereo to Mono - your sound file may have stereo tracks or mono tracks

  • Layering Tracks - you can add tracks and do layering, but when you export it, the tracks are flattened

  • Rate= Keep rate the same (44.1 Khz std).

  • Keep the bit depth the same (i.e. 16 bit) for all your files or the sounds will be too high or too low.

 

D. Training Exercise

 

Due Tuesday November 4th - Paid Sound Training Exercise

 

Make a 1-2 minute soundscape (i.e. a sound story) that uses each of the tools listed in the training section(basic edits, cuts, pastes, combining files, amplify, compression, envelope/fade). Try to have a narrative arc to it. If you use the files I provide and the examples I use in the tutorial videos, a simple "soundscape" progression could be:

 

  1. birds (cuts and pastes, amplify)

  2. steps

  3. library door (compression)

  4. inside steps

  5. keys

  6. office door

  7. computer starting

  8. keyboarding sounds (fade out)

 

I think this will take about 60 minutes. If you are inspired and want to use different sounds, then by all means, please do.

The idea is to give everyone a base level experience in sound editing to better serve students and faculty that come to the Cloisters.

 

When you have completed the training exercise, please export it as an .mp3 file, and upload it to vspace and email me the link.

Vspace Video Tutorial

YouTube plugin error

 

Installing the Lame Encoder Video Tutorial

YouTube plugin error  

 

Supplementary:

 

Sound Recording Basics:

1. Use the best equipment you can get your hands on

2. Record digitally (converting from analog is an extra step, and not so easy)

3. I recommend you record just your targeted sound (don't record everything all the time, this will make your editing easier)

4. If a sound is a good sound, record it a few times.

5. Back up your sound files on separate devices

6. Edit copies, not the originals

7. Different microphones behave differently (i.e. the lavalier mic has a short range, so be close to the subject when recording)

8. Use the highest fidelity settings to record (i.e. record .wav and .aiff, not .mp3, more info)

 

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