Unit 17 - Assignment 1 - Sound and Picture

Sound Effects and Ambient Sound

LINK : 

My task was to create sounds for a rocket launch. I selected a small clip from this video and created my own sounds using the things around me.

Equipment

-       =  Shure SM58

-       =  XLR lead

-       =  Cubase 6

I started my clip with the astronauts in the spaceship. This was a sample I downloaded of the crew talking from Apollo 11 and included this where there was a shot of the astronauts.

The next shot was of the countdown on a field where the American flag was waving and spectators were watching. For the wind I blew into the microphone from a distance and I also included a small voice over of the countdown.

Countdown audio file above.

There was then a close up of the rocket engines where the rocket was preparing for take-off. To create a realistic sound but not too heavy I dragged the Shure SM58 across a fabric chair softly.

When the rocket launches and we seen the engine fire I used a bin and kicked it to create an explosive sound to represent the power of the flames and the engine.

I then created the engine with someones voice and time warped it to extend the length of the recording.

As the rocket gradually moves further away it also moves towards the right. To give the listener the most realistic sounds I panned the rocket sounds towards the right.

Circled shows that I gradually panned the audio to the right so it wasn’t a sharp change.

Unit 48 Brief 3 - Recording a Pop Song Cover

SOUNDCLOUD : https://soundcloud.com/user-4824654/hold-up-by-tilly-wellard

Pre Recording

Rehearsal / Run Through

Before recording, the artists had to trail and practice the performance before performing for the recording. This was not recorded at any point this was just for the artists to practice and gain confidence.

Run Through

Each performer had a run through of their performance, this including recording the artist practice to evaluate their performance and see if there was any improvements required before the real recording.

Level and Sound Check

Each performer had a run through their performance whilst recording them. This wasn’t to evaluate their performance this was to record the artist to evaluate the gain levels, feedback and helped ensure that the recording would be perfect for the real recording.

Performance

To get the best possible cover I could with the resources I had I ensured I found good talent. When the artists recorded I did multiple takes to get the best performance out of the artist.

Gain

Using the mixing desk I altered the gain higher to ensure the recording was loud enough and lower to ensure the track recording didn’t clip. In one of my recordings I had to re record a track due to it clipping so before I re recorded I lowered to gain.

Stereo Recording

Stereo recording consists of using 2 microphones instead of one. This helps to create sounds on the left and right output so the sound is coming from both sides of to make the sound quality better and balanced.

Multi-track recording

Multi-track recording is when you record multiple tracks at the same time. This helps keep the track in time and also saves time. I did this with the piano due to it being stereo.

Connections

On some of the performances I used DI recording which connects into the mixing desk. I used this for the electric guitar and synths. When recording in the studio I connected to xlr cables from the microphone to the plug in box, this then connected to the mixing desk where I could control the gain and levels, which connected to Cubase.

Proximity effects

To ensure the cover was to a professional standard the instruments had to be a certain distance away from the microphone. I ensured the artists and the microphones had the correct separation distance.

Live recording

I used the studio to record instead of a live recording so I could perfect each performance. I also used the studio so the artists could redo their recording if it wasn’t to the best standard. Live recording would have also added more pressure onto the artists to get in right first time.

Screens / Guards / Pop Shield

Screens, guards and pop shields prevent any unwanted sound that is picked up during the recording. I used the guard during the vocals, as that was most likely to pick up unwanted sounds.

Electronic Instruments

Direct Injection

Direct injection, also known as DI recording is when the instrument is connected to the mixing desk and software through a jack lead rather than an XLR lead. I used DI for the synths, bass guitar and electric guitar. DI helped with the guitar as it only recorded the amplified sound and no unwanted noise.

Synthesisers

I used a synthesiser to create synth strings and to create sounds on the original track that couldn’t be created using an instrument in the studio. I used DI recording for this. Synthesisers are a lot easier to manipulate sound, which helps when trying to recreate sounds.

Electric Guitar / Bass

The other 2 instruments I used DI recording. If I was to record using XLR leads I would have to have used an amplifier then microphones, which would have created an unprofessional sound and DI, seemed more relevant to use.

Keyboard / Drum Kit

I did not use drums in my cover song and I used piano instead of keyboard to create the sound I wanted.

Recording

Monitors and Levels

When recording the artist I monitored the sound to ensure it didn’t clip and the sound was actually coming through to the software. The sound check helped to alter the levels ready for the real recording.

Headphones / Fold Back Systems

The headphones were used so the artist could hear the track so they were in time and knew when to come in. Headphones were used instead of speaker so the microphones would not pick the original track up in the background. Once the track has been recorded I used fold back so they artist could listen to what we just recorded in the studio. This would be played through the headphones whilst the artist was still in the studio. This was helpful as if we needed to record again the artist didn’t need to walk back round to the studio as they was already there.

Talk Back

On the mixing desk there is talk back button, this enables me to talk to the artists whilst they are in the studio and I am in the control room. This helped when I needed to communicate with the artist and give them directions and instructions.

Track Sheets / Identifying tracks

To identify my tracks I labelled them all individually and colour coded them into groups. For example synths were grouped, piano was grouped etc.

Overdubbing

Overdubbing is when you record a track over another track. I did not use this during my project to the full extent however I did stop a recording on the track and then recorded again in a different section. For example I recorded from 0:00 to 0:40 then I recorded on the same track from 0:45 to 1:00.

Listening for distortion

After finishing each recording I had to listen for distortion. Luckily, I didn’t have any distortion in my tracks due to setting up the pre recording properly. If the whole track was distorted I would have had to record again as the song would not be clear and the listener would find it difficult to listen.

Checking for playback

Before exporting my track I had to check there was errors in my track like clipping. Once I had checked this my track was ready to be exported and uploaded.