TGJ2O_audiovisual_postproduction_audio

include component="page" wikiName="jmcintyre" page="course_tabs_header" include component="page" wikiName="jmcintyre" page="menu_tgj2o_crumbs" include component="page" wikiName="jmcintyre" page="menu_tgj2o_audiovisual" =SOUND RECORDING AND PROCESSING=

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Pure sound is hard to record and process. Humans have a very sensitive ear to what sounds "real" and not. Because we're a visual creature, when processing sound we use waveforms in sound-editing programs like Audacity, Audition, GoldWave, ACID. For music processing/recording we use programs like ProTools, AVID and Ableton LIVE. There is a fine art form of crafting audio for specific industries. For example, techniques for Foley sound artists are different than podcasters, who are different from music engineers, but the general toolset is the same.

The waveform is a visual representation of the oscillations made by the microphone (or speaker) diaphragm moving in/out and thus the electrical signal. It can further be broken down into a spectrograph of the sound and a frequency representation. This helps to visualize the sound based on frequency over time.

Generally human voice is between 300Hz to 3000Hz. Sounds like guitars generally go from 80Hz to 1200Hz, while sounds like the flute go from 250Hz to about 2000Hz.

Sound is processed in layers just like in graphics or video. Each new layer adds AND SUBTRACTS from the overall sound. Because we're dealing in waves, just like in a pond, a wave gets affected by the addition of another wave, and that addition may not be complimentary.

Also, much like in graphics or video editing, sound editors may apply filters & effects to sound. Because we're working in layers, these effects & filters impact selected layers at times we want them to. Additionally, because we're working with frequencies in layers OVER TIME, we have an additional dimension to play in that doesn't exist in either graphic design or video (to an extent).

Finally, the old addage in any aspect of Comm Tech, LESS IS MORE is true here too. Proper planning and subtle manipulation of sound often yields FAR superior product. 

AUDACITY
Is a great music-editor. It is freeware and is quite useful in pre-editing sound clips so that they're about the right volume/length so as to reduce the time you need to spend in Premiere editing the sound clips.

List of tutorials:

[|Basic Audacity use]

[|Complete list of audacity tutorials] 

Sound Effects

 * Sound Files can be WAV or MP3
 * File Sources:
 * Use a site like [|freesound.org]
 * Use a GOOGLE search for specific files like "psycho.wav" or categories of wav files (there are thousands of websites that host sound effects)

Note - depending on the speed of your computer, the sound can be very "choppy" when played in Premiere's editing window. The final rendered WMV or AVI will sound considerably better

Some places you might search for free sound effects and full creative commons songs/soundtracks:
 * [|Jamendo] (music)
 * [|soundcloud.com] (requires free account creation)
 * [|opsound.org]
 * c[|cmixter.org]
 * [|FreeSound] (requires free account creation)
 * [|GRSites-Soundarchive]
 * [|SoundJay (sound effects)]
 * [|SoundsCrate (sound effects)]
 * [|SoundeScape]
 * [|SoundSnap]
 * [|soundbible.com]

Great Sub-Reddits dedicated to sound recording/engineering 
 * [|/r/AudioEngineering]
 * [|/r/EDMproduction]
 * [|/r/FL_Studio]
 * [|/r/AbletonLive]
 *  [|/r/AudioPost] - a place to discuss sound editing and mixing for media
 * [|/r/Cubase]
 * [|/r/futurebeatproducers]
 *  [|/r/GameAudio] - discussion about the process of creating audio for games
 * [|/r/linuxaudio]
 *  [|/r/LocationSound] - for those who record sound to picture in the field
 * [|/r/Logic_Studio]
 * [|/r/MaxMSP]
 * [|/r/ProductionLounge]
 * [|/r/Protools]
 *  [|/r/RateMyAudio] - when you need a critique for mix, mastering, or some other facet of audio work.
 * [|/r/Reaper]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #336699; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration: none;">[|/r/Reasoners]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #336699; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration: none;">[|/r/Remix]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #336699; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration: none;">[|/r/Renoise]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #336699; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration: none;">[|/r/Samplehunters]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #336699; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration: none;">[|/r/SongStems]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #336699; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration: none;">[|/r/VSTi]

Recording Voicework in Class
In the classroom, we use microphone equipped headsets to record voicework for multimedia productions. Adjust the headset so the mic is close to your mouth, and check that any switches and volume controls are turned on. Recording in early morning, at noon or after classes is ideal to minimize background noise. Ideally you would record in a sound booth with noise-dampening walls so that all reflected sound is muted. At SC you'll have to settle for just hoping the class is quiet OR going into the studio at the side of the room.
 * **To Get Started:**

In the FRONT (or back) of the computers, OPEN THE BLACK HATCH and plug the headset's green (speaker output) and pink (mic input) cables into the appropriately coloured ports.
 * //Note how the cables are bundled up - please return the headset neatly in this condition at the end of your usage.//** || [[image:microphone.jpg]] ||
 * **Plug In**:


 * //Please be VERY careful to restore the speaker cables to their original state at the end of your session.//** || [[image:computer_back.jpg]] ||

Once the headset has been plugged in, you have to set up the software to record your voice:

> (Note - if you set it too high while recording, your voice may trip Windows “circuit breaker”, and you’ll have to repeat these steps)
 * 1. SET UP THE WINDOWS MIC SETTINGS**
 * Double click the Audio icon at the bottom right of your screen
 * Use OPTIONS - PROPERTIES and choose RECORDING. The “Microphone” option should be checked on. Click OK when ready.
 * Use OPTIONS - PROPERTIES and choose ADVANCED CONTROLS
 * The “Microphone” SELECT should be checked ON. Click the new “ADVANCED” button that appears under that.
 * In the “ADVANCED” settings,
 * Turn on the “MIC BOOST”
 * Use the FRONT PANEL Microphone if it's available
 * Be sure SELECT is ON for the Microphone - set the slider about 60%
 * Close the volume box when complete

Also note that some microphones have an ON/OFF switch. Make sure it's ON!

> >> //(Hint - Try moving the mic closer to your mouth!)//
 * 2. INSTALL and START UP AUDACITY**[[image:audacity1.jpg width="339" height="260" align="right"]]
 * Install [|AUDACITY]if it's not already on the computer (it should be)
 * If need be, change the input source to MICROPHONE in the top selection box
 * Press the RECORD button and speak to TEST your recording levels. Adjust the Microphone slider if required:
 * MIC SET TOO LOW: This yields faint audio that sounds “hissy” when amplified.
 * MIC SET TOO HIGH: This creates CLIPPING resulting in unacceptable distortion.
 * IDEAL LEVELS: The waveform fills the “canvas” without “Clipping” at the loudest noises you'll be making
 * Close any test tracks by clicking the X in the top left corner.


 * 3. WHEN YOU’RE READY TO RECORD**
 * Position your script so you can read it
 * RECORD YOUR DIALOGUE
 * SPEAK SLOWLY and CLEARLY
 * SPEAK EMPHATICALLY! If you don’t use an emphatic, upbeat voice, your dialogue can get lost under any video or animation, and you’ll need to re-record.
 * Record ALL your lines at once with a slight gap between them. Hit the STOP button when you’re done.


 * 4. PROCESS YOUR DIALOGUE**
 * Highlight a chunk of dialogue and hit the PLAY button to preview it
 * Delete the chunks of dialogue that is flawed
 * <span class="wiki_link">Amplify chunks of dialogue that are too low in levels
 * Trim and fade chunks to remove leading and trailing noise


 * 5. SELECT - SAVE YOUR DIALOGUE**[[image:Audacity2.jpg width="282" height="214" align="right"]]
 * Highlight the first bit of dialogue you’d like to save. Preview it by click the PLAY button
 * Use **FILE | EXPORT //SELECTION// as WAV** to save that first clip. Repeat the process for any remaining audio clips.
 * Record all your dialoque at once, but save them into separate files.
 * //NOTE: Be careful NOT to simply use [CTRL-S] or SAVE PROJECT - that creates a complex series of files in Audacity's project storage format. It will NOT create any useful files for you to import into any other program//.

If you've followed the instructions properly, your voiceover work is now in WAV format and ready to be imported into Premiere or Flash.

Be sure to
 * Coil up your headphones
 * Restore the plugs in the back of the computer
 * Return the headphones to the classroom teacher



Example of Audio Script
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Assignment #10 - Podcast
You are to record a 2 minute podcast about a subject of interest ([|here's a list of top podcasts in Canada]). It could be music, film, video games, art, science, life....you name it. You'll need to write down a script for this podcast including when you are going to add effects and sounds. Once this pre-production is done, you move into the production (recording) and post-production (tweaking sound and adding music/sound-effects).

You must include the following vocal layers at a minimum. You may have more than these layers, but not any less. 1 - one voice layer 2 - one background music layer 3 - one sound-effects layer

__Submission__:
 * AUP project file
 * Exported MP3 or WAV file

__**EVALUATION:**__


 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Preproduction** || Storyboard clearly written, labeled, or drawn that another student could create the presentation if necessary. || Storyboard are easy to read and most elements are clearly written, labeled, or drawn. Another person might be able to create the presentation after asking one or two questions. || Storyboard are missing key elements or are hard to read with rough ideas and labels. It would be hard for another person to create this presentation without asking lots of questions. || Storyboard is missing many elements and are hard to read. One cannot tell what goes where. It would be impossible for another person to create this presentation without asking lots of questions. ||
 * **Sound editing/production** || The editing is exceptional in every way. || Generally the editing is good, but the occasional sync problem or glitch mars an otherwise great production. || There are occasional editing problems with noises or sync are enough to distract the viewer. || The production values of the production fall well short of expected quality. ||
 * **End Product** || The resulting product is a masterful fusion of planning, detailed-work, artwork and sound ideas || The resulting product is successful, but the occasional choice leave the piece short of perfection. || The piece contains many poor choices in production. The viewer is often lead to distraction. || There might be a story or point, but it is lost in a morass of errors and lack of forethought. ||
 * **Use of Time** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||



Assignment #xx - Radio Ad or Radio Drama
You are to create a 30 second completely polished radio ad, or radio drama. Regardless of the project, you MUST approach me for a "greenlight" financing meeting. At this point you will have your script/timeline/plan ready that includes down-to-the-second details about what you plan on doing and the support files necessary for it. You may ONLY use creative-commons material or in-house-created sound for this project. The radio ad can be for any company/organization/campaign while the Radio Drama can be from any public domain book. For example [|War of the Worlds], Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (precursor for Blade Runner movie), or frankly most works by Phillip K Dick ([|list of books->movies]) or any other book from the [|public domain]<span class="wiki_link_ext">. In many respects, a radio drama will be easier to record since the narrative is already there and you just have to figure out a way to introduce sound-effects and choose sound to add atmosphere.

__Submission__:
 * .AUD project files AND SUPPORT FOLDERS - KEEP ALL YOUR FILES TOGETHER IN A FOLDER
 * Exported MP3 file

__**EVALUATION:**__


 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * **Preproduction** || Storyboard clearly written, labeled, or drawn that another student could create the presentation if necessary. || Storyboard are easy to read and most elements are clearly written, labeled, or drawn. Another person might be able to create the presentation after asking one or two questions. || Storyboard are missing key elements or are hard to read with rough ideas and labels. It would be hard for another person to create this presentation without asking lots of questions. || Storyboard is missing many elements and are hard to read. One cannot tell what goes where. It would be impossible for another person to create this presentation without asking lots of questions. ||
 * **Sound editing** || The editing is exceptional in every way. || Generally the editing is good, but the occasional sync problem or glitch mars an otherwise great production. || There are occasional editing problems with noises or sync are enough to distract the viewer. || The production values of the production fall well short of expected quality. ||
 * **Final production quality** || The production is exceptional in every way. || Generally the production is good, but the occasional sync problem or glitch mars an otherwise great production. || There are occasional problems with noises or sync are enough to distract the viewer. || The production values of the production fall well short of expected quality. ||
 * **Use of Time** || Used time well during each class period (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well during most class periods (as shown by observation by teacher, and documentation of progress in journal) with no reminders. || Used time well (as shown by observation by teacher and documentation of progress in journal), but required reminders on one or more occasions to do so. || Used time poorly (as shown by observation by teacher and/or documentation of progress in journal) in spite of several reminders to do so. ||
 * **End Product** || The resulting short is a masterful fusion of planning, detailed-work, artwork and sound ideas || The resulting advertisement is successful, but the occasional choice leave the piece short of perfection. || The piece contains many poor choices in production and/or sound. The viewer is often lead to distraction. || There might be a story, but it is lost in a morass of errors and lack of forethought. ||