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SOUND

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Intro to Audacity
We will be using the audio editing program Audacity to edit your sound pieces. Download it here. You will also need to download the  LAME MP3 encoder  in order to export your files. We will work in the program in class. You will recieve some handouts in class that are also to be available on blackboard. 

Useful Links:
Audacity Reference Guide:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/onlinehelp-1.2/reference.html
Audacity Manual:
http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Main_Page
Audacity Keyboard Shortcut Reference Guide: 
http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/keyboard_shortcut_reference.html


TASCAM
You will be using a TASCAM DR-40 to record audio. You must provide your own SD card, and should plan on having extra AA batteries. You will receive a short handout, also to be available on blackboard.

You can check out these devices from the cage. If you have not used the cage yet, be sure to visit them at the end of the hall on the second floor of Shaffer Art Building. You will need to fill out some paperwork.


Sound Assignment:
Due, in parts, over the next three weeks
CRITIQUE: Weeks 5 + 6

 Create a sound work that makes space. Your sound piece should have at least two different spaces that we move between. The spaces can be physical, emotional, or temporal. Experiment with volume, distance, and pitch. Experiment in production (recording); and in post-production (editing).

Your sound piece must be site specific. Choose a place that we can walk to in less than 15 minutes from our classroom. We will listen to your audio piece, as a class, in this space while wearing headphones. Choose public spaces which we will reasonably be able to access during our class time.  Do not choose your dorm. Some spaces to consider: libraries, Hendrick’s Chapel, Crouse college, a place with a view, a hallway or stairwell, a place with no view, bathrooms, labs, shops, outdoor spaces. Your piece should complicate, enrich, and give meaning to the space you choose for us to experience your work in.

For your homework this week, you must conduct research in the space you choose. Your research should include finding out the history/purpose/architecture--both physical and social--of the space (you will need to talk to people in addition to using the internet), replicate the "Being in Time/Listening in Space"exercise at least once, make field recordings, and writing. Then use your recordings, audacity, and other materials to make a sound work. Pay attention to distance, rhythm, tempo, right and left channels, distance, volume, etc.

Use the sounds you recorded over the past weeks as a foundation for this work. Check out an audio recorder from the cage, and use it to record new sounds. You may use a very limited amount of sampled or appropriated audio. However, NO SOUNDTRACK MUSIC ALLOWED. Music may be used only if an integral part of the space, used to establish and play with proximity and movement.   (Acceptable examples include similar uses as Janet Cardiff and Ultrared). You may use your voice, someone else’s, or no voices. You may choose to have a narrator, or not. You may choose to make this a walking tour, or not. You may give us directions, or not. Remember that we will be wearing headphones, so you must create a full, sonic experience for us. 

WEEK 3 + 4(Jan 28/30/Feb 2 + Feb 4/6/9): 
For next week, you will be expected to have chosen your site, and conducted a significant amount of research. You should also find out what the space is, and the hierarchy of the space. For example, if you choose Special Collections the sixth floor of bird library, find out who the contact person is, and their contact info, talk to them (do this sooner than later). It is also expected that you will have a solid draft and am organized library of sounds on your computer. Bring all of this to class. We will be checking in, listening, and working in groups.

For the following week (Week of Feb 4/6/9), You should continue to work on and revise your sound pieces. You will bring your work-in-progress with you in class, along with a fully organized library of your sounds. Be prepared for in progress check-in with your classmates/instructor. You will be uploading your in-progress work to the server. The class will be downloading the works-in-progress, and making site-visits in groups for in-progress critiques and feedback. Please plan on bringing your computers, audio listening devices, headphones, and any cables or cords you need to class. We should have some time to work.


WEEK 5+ 6 (Feb 11/13/16/18/20 and ): CRITIQUE
COMPLETED AUDIO PIECES. Your completed piece should be between 5-7 minutes. We will experience the sound pieces in your chosen location, most likely via headphones. You will be required to upload your FINAL files to Soundcloud.com and the server, and email the link to your completed sound pieces on soundcloud to Jessica ABSOLUTELY NO LATER THAN 6PM the day before your critique. She will make a playlist, which she will share with all of you by 9PM that evening. If you do not email the assignment by 6PM the prior evening, you will receive a 0 for this critique. No excuses or extensions. 

Please bring headphones and a device (phone, mp3 player, etc) loaded with the playlist to class. If you do not have an acceptable device, be sure to check out an audio recorder from the cage that you can use to playback the tracks. It is your responsibility to come to class with the playlist downloaded and playable from your chosen device.

Note: Following the critique, you will be asked to create an additional, visually based work using your final audio piece. Stay tuned for more info, but do not worry about this now.


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