Computer Audio Techniques - Assignment Example

Computer Audio Techniques Name & ID Course Name & Code Instructor’s Name 9 December 2009 Computer Audio Techniques The aim of this report is to focus on production procedure, audio techniques, practical work and analysis of technical requirements. The number of people who are listening to music and other audio sounds has continuously increased in the current century. Many people employ different means to listen and utilise different approaches in production of music and audio such as the use of personal computers (PC). PC is unique technological equipment that has extensive inbuilt hardware that deals with sounds, music, audio, and the personal computer can easily manipulate the quality of sound and audio in a manner that a producer will not be required to visit audio labs or large sounds studios. For example, many PCs have inbuilt microphones that can record sounds from users and these are supported by numerous software and audio techniques that a user may use to manipulate the sounds; numerous software exists that produce audio and sounds that are specially required in an efficient and fast way. Technological development has resulted in production of new devices and equipments such as sounds cards that provides convenient means for audio computing and these sound cards deals professionally with different audio and sounds. Additionally, the supportive speakers produce quality and audio sound waves that can easily be understood and recognised. Production design The following is a script that will be produced for the radio show but some parts of the script has been deleted because it exceeds the show limit. Script Rough time plan of show: Introduction (and added sound) – 10 seconds Talking about the topic – 60 seconds Advertisement (and added sound) – 10 seconds News bulletin (and added sound) – 20 seconds Back to the topic – 30 seconds Interview – 30 seconds 5 word weather (and added sound) - 10 seconds Topic – 30 words Interview – 30 seconds Sports scores (and added sound) – 15 seconds Advertisement (and added sound) – 15 seconds Conclusion (and added sound) – 40 seconds Some scripts that have been deleted and reasons behind the deletion 1. Introduction (and added sound) – 10 seconds Music sound was added in the beginning 2. Talking about the topic – 60 seconds During writing of the script for the topic, the group thought that 60 seconds could be enough but when they recorded the script they found out that the script is more that 60 seconds and thus affects the rest of the recording. 3. Advertisement (and added sound) – 10 seconds The time for advertisement was reduced from 10 seconds to 5 seconds 4. News bulletin (and added sound) – 20 seconds The only thing that was removed from this section is the start sound since it could be more than the recorded sound. 5. Interview – 30 seconds Both of the interviews have been reduced from 30 seconds to 18 seconds 6. Five word weather (and added sound) – 10 seconds Only sound has been removed from this part 7. Sports scores (and added sound) – 15 seconds This part has completely been deleted from the script 8. Conclusion (and added sound)- 40 seconds The time for conclusion has been reduced from 40 seconds to 8 seconds Discussion of technical requirements What we needed to complete this project? 1. Zoom microphone 2. Computer 3. Headphones 4. Audition adobe Zoom microphone The use of microphone was studied in lecture in week 6, and the lecturer had told us how to use it. The zoom microphone is supposed to be booked in advance and thus we booked a day to go and get the microphone. The microphone that we obtained was of high quality and other group members could clearly hear what was been recorded. Computer Computer is the most crucial component in the radio show project since most of the tasks will be completed by the use of this equipment. After recording the sounds and audio, the information will be downloaded into the computer so that it can be manipulated. Nevertheless, two technical equipments are connected to the computer to assists in listening and manipulating the information; these two technical components are headphones and audition adobe. Headphones The most important component that is required to ensure that script recording and editing is successful. Headphones help us to hear recorded sounds and it allows the group members to correct any mistake or improve the recording. Audition adobe This software will help in manipulating the recorded information. It will organise the recordings in a manner that is based on production design and some sounds can be added. Practical work Numerous tasks are located in this section, which includes location for the recording, editing, interviews, multitrack mixing, signal processing and embedding into web page. These tasks are then analysed: 1. Location and recording It is the most important part since the radio show project will be recorded. An empty class was identified for recording purposes. 2. Interviews Most people listen to interviews, but it is a demanding task since the interviewee has to take time so that the people can be convinced by the show. Thus, the people who were interviewed were some of our friends who had idea of the advertisements and product that we were promoting, and hence had some comments and opinions that make the show interesting. 3. Editing The recordings were edited so that some parts that were unneeded were deleted while some parts that were not clear or was recorded by mistake could be redone or removed. 4. Signal processing All the recordings and sounds that were in the project were modified through normalisation, fade in, fade out, distortion, pan left, pan right and echo effects were adjusted. Normalisation has been used to ensure that the sounds of the recording are equal since at the time of recording some voices could be higher or lower and thus should be normalised to fix the problem. Employing pun left and pun right ensures that introduction can be heard first in the left ear then to the right ear. Fade in and fade out are used to ensure that the voices of interviewees can be heard through either reducing gradually the sound when the interviewees start to speaking and the volume is increased gradually when the interviewees stop speaking. Employing distortion has ensured that the phone caller looks like a real phone call and thus the listener may think the call is real. Echo is used to repeat the music during conclusion of the show. 5. Multitrack mixing Multitrack mixing is the use of more than one song or track to ensure that the recording is not boring. In this project, two tracks have been used one for introduction and conclusion while the other is used for recording. 6. Embedding in web page The lecturer in week 8 thought us how to upload files into the web page that will be used for the project. Two programs are been used to ensure that the file has successful been upload to the web, which are Microsoft expression and CS3 adobe flash. Microsoft expression was used to develop the HTML while the CS3 adobe flash is used for media player and it helps to upload the files. Some sound effects were added and converted so that it could easily be played in CS3 flash. Conclusions The aim of this report was to discuss and analyse ways of recording a radio show. Different technological equipments have been used including interviewees who have made the entire process successful. Computer, microphone, headphones and adobe flash have provided a convenient way of recording and manipulating the information. Appendix Production design Through the notes and lecture instructions, we were able to formulate a script plan that shows all the steps and procedures that will enable completing the task. The script was developed then edited to ensure that it fits the time limits following the notes and instructions received from lectures. Discussion of technical requirements It is paramount to understand technical requirements and to ensure that all technical equipments can be used without any difficulties. The lecturer introduced and thought us how to use computers, microphones, audition adobe, and headphones. This provided a convenient means of ensuring that quality recordings are obtained through minimal complexities. Practical work It is the most important part of the entire project since it is the actual approach that will ensure radio show project is achieved. We collected all resources that are required and with the help of previous knowledge and lecture notes, we followed the required procedures. Following the lecturer’s teachings and notes helped us to fulfil the requirements of practical work section. Read More