Month: April 2022

Summary

• In this project we tested sound quality in different areas. We look into the sound quality and what problems occured.

Audio Terms and Definitions

• Sound Wave
  • A vibrational disturbance that involves the mechanical motion of molecules transmitting energy from one place to another.
• Compression
  • Reducing a signal’s output level in relation to its input level to reduce dynamic range.
• Frequency
  • The # of times per second that a sound source vibrates, is expressed in hertz (Hz).
• Hertz
  • Unit of measurement of frequency; numerically equal to cycles per second (cps).
• Infrasonic
  • The range below the frequencies is audible to human hearing.
• Ultrasonic
  • The range above the frequencies of human hearing.
• Pitch
  • The subjective perception of frequency – the highness or lowness of a sound.
• Fundamental
  • The lowest frequency a sound source can produce. In other words, it is also called the first harmonic or primary frequency which is the lowest, or basic, pitch of a musical instrument.
• Sound Frequency Spectrum
  • The range of frequencies audible to human hearing: about 20 to 20,000 Hz.
• Octave
  • The interval between the two frequencies that have a tonal ratio of 2:1.
• Bass
  • The low range of the audible frequency spectrum; is usually from 20 to 320 Hz.
• Midrange
  • The part of the frequency spectrum to which humans are most sensitive; is the frequencies between roughly 320 Hz and 2,560 Hz.
• Treble
  • The frequency range between roughly 5,120 Hz and 20,000 Hz, the highest two octaves audible to human hearing in the sound frequency spectrum.
• Equalization
  • A signal-processing device that can boost, attenuate, or shelve frequencies in a sound source or sound system.
• Amplitude
  • The magnitude of a sound wave or an electric signal is measured in decibels.
• Decibel (dB)
  • A relative and dimensionless unit to measure the ratio of two quantities.
• Wavelength
  • Distance between two peaks of a wave
• Velocity
  • Speed in a given direction
• Harmonic
  • Is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
• Phase
  • Factor in the interaction of one wave with another, either acoustically or electronically

– Audio terms and definitions from Wikipedia

Voice Recording

Outdoor/Environment Recording

Instrument Recording

Feedback

• Write a few comments from other students or advisory members
• Cite the person who shared the comment
• Only use first names

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

• I learned that the sound quality with a microphone can differentiate depends what is going on.
• One problem we had was that we forgot to take a picture that matched with the audio and we fixed it by taking a picture that coresponded with the audio.

Resources

• Audio Recording Sound Safari Project – All The Resources
  • Sound Safari Team Directions and Forms
  • Zoom H4n Tutorial: The Three Keys to Great Audio for Video (Basic)
  • Zoom H4n Tutorial: Filmmaking 101 – How to Record High-Quality Audio on a Budget (Detailed)
• Hearing Test
• Music / Sound Terms in Quizlet
• Physics of Music Resources and Presentations
• Microphones and Recording Basics

Summary

• For this project, I used https://onlinesequencer.net/ to help me create 3 Motive triads. During this, it was trial and error finding out what 3 chord sequences would sound nice together and what didn’t.

Melody Terms and Definitions

In music, a triad is a set of three notes (or “pitch classes“) that can be stacked vertically in thirds.^[1] The term “harmonic triad” was coined by Johannes Lippius in his Synopsis musicae novae (1612). Triads are the most common chords in Western music.

When stacked in thirds, notes produce triads. The triad’s members, from lowest-pitched tone to highest, are called:^[1]

• The root
• The third
• The fifth

– Triad definition from Wikipedia

• Theme – a longer, more flowing melodic idea
• Motive – a short, rhythmic idea
• Period – 8 (ish/around 8) measures of music
• Phrase – 4 (ish/around 4) measures of music
• Antecedent (Question or First) Phrase – sets the music up and leads you to expect something
• Consequent (Answer or Second) Phrase – releases the tension built up by the first phrase
• Scale Degrees:
  • Tonic Scale Degree – the note that begins and ends the scale, the note that releases the tension, one scale degree that creates a feeling of stability and resolution.
  • Supertonic, Mediant, and Submediant Scale Degree – scale degrees with a moderate level of tension useful for transitioning and carrying on an idea
  • Dominant, Subdominant, and Leading Tone Scale Degree – the notes that build tension, several scale degrees that create a high level of tension/the need to resolve the tonic
• Steps – any movement using half or whole steps
• Leaps – any movement using intervals larger than a whole-step
• Conjunct motion –  melody built primarily out of steps that move smoothly (example: moving in a scale)
• Disjunct motion – melody built primarily using leaps
• Repetition (the god particle of music) – use repeated material to create a link between the two phrases of a period
• Contrast – write two phrases that contain contrast material to create tension and interest
• Variation – halfway between repetition and contrast. The two phrases include some recognizable material and some varied material.

Composition term definitions from Dr. Henke’s video:  How to Write a Melody

• Dr. Jamie Henke, artsdivision.wisc.edu/staff/jamie-henke-jamie-henke/

My Motives

https://onlinesequencer.net/2705908

https://onlinesequencer.net/2707897

https://onlinesequencer.net/2725282

Feedback

• “It was good it sounded like kinda like a horror thing” -Austin

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

• I learned that there are so many different sounds you can make even if it’s only a 3 chord sequence.
• One problem I had was that it sounded too rushed and messy when so I decided I want some of the Motives to have a more calmer vibe than the other is more eerie feeling. In doing so figuring out what sounded good together I messed around with it more and made the notes longer which gave it a calmer vibe which was nice because that’s what I was looking for.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJTggXbjVSo