Audio Projects

Types of Audio Projects

• Podcast
• Audio tour or site-specific experience
• Experimental installation (something that explores the possibilities of sound and perception)

If you are interested in creating an audio-focused project, it would be good to include some visual component such as branding designs, supplemental images/video, documentation, or a user interface for accessing and distributing the work. Talk to your instructor for more ideas.

Production requirements

Depending on the type of project, you may need more or fewer steps than what are listed here.

1. Asses Hardware Needs

   Audio Recording Starter Kit

   • Microphone(s) — Here is a detailed overview of common microphone types.
     • Dynamic: Less sensitive, hold close to speaker, good for interviews in loud spaces.
     • Condenser: More sensitive, record far away sources (including background noise... )
   • Digital Audio Interface — Connect microphones to your computer; converts analog audio signals into digital ones. USB mics include a built-in version of this, but you'll get better quality with a truly analog mic and a separate interface box.
   • Portable recorder — All-in-one device with built-in mics! If you are on the tightest budget, you can manage an awful lot with one of these. Zoom recorders are industry standard and come at a variety of price points.
   • Headphones — Avoid anything with "bass-boosting technology" or earbuds. You want a nice even sound.
   • Speakers — Monitors or bookshelf speakers are the best bet; prioritize even sound reproduction over loudness or bass-boosting.

2. Synopsis

   • Write a short synopsis of the work.
   • Find examples of similar media to study and draw inspiration from.

3. Script

   For scripted narrative work, obviously write a script. Experimental or documentary work might not include this step.

   • Scrivener
   • Final Draft
   • Screenplay Formatter for Google Docs

1. Sound recording

   • Sound foley
   • Recording narration and actor dialogue
   • FreeSound — Library of Creative commons sound effects
   • Free Music Archive — Library of creative commons music
   • ZenCaster — Great tool for recording remote audio conversations between two people.
   • Beginners guide to microphone types

2. Scoring or Original Production

   • GarageBand — Simple MIDI instruments and editing.
   • Premiere Pro — Edit audio right in your video editor or export entire projects to Audition...
   • Adobe Audition (LinkedIn Essential Training) — Dedicated audio editor, record and mix, easily interface with Premiere (no MIDI instruments)
   • Ableton Live (LinkedIn Essential Training) — Great MIDI and recording suite, relatively cheap, great for electronic music.
   • Logic Pro — Record and mix, MIDI instruments (especially ones that sound like traditional strings, brass, etc.)
   • Pro Tools — Industry standard for recording and mixing; expensive.

3. Mixing and Mastering

   • Mixing — Balancing and dynamic adjustment for all channels.
     • Mixing and Buses in Audition
     • Adobe Audition: Mixing Music and Dialogue
   • Mastering — Refining the primary exported file.
     • Audio Mastering Techniques

4. Distribution

   You'll want a high quality source copy of your project, but if you're uploading your project to the web, podcast services, or physical playback devices, you will probably want a smaller file size.

   • Guide to sample rates and bit depth
   • Filetypes to Know:
     • WAV - Uncompressed, high quality, high filesize
     • MP3 - Lossy compression, low quality, loq filesize
     • FLAC - Lossless compressions, high quality, high filesize

Proof of concept

Demonstrate your filming or editing abilities with one of the following:

• Vignette: https://vimeo.com/337054827
• A sample scene or interview
• Video and audio example for an experimental project