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Sonic Design - Project 2

24.09.2024 - 5.1.2024 (Week 1 - Week 14)

Low Li Vern/ 0362678

Sonic Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Project 2


INSTRUCTIONS



Project 2: Audio Storytelling
For Project 2, our task is to select a popular fairy tale and transform it into an engaging audiobook. This involves more than just narration, we need to craft a captivating soundscape, record voiceovers with expressive voice acting, and blend it all seamlessly with sound effects and background music to elevate and enrich the storytelling experience.

#Ideation for the story
For Task 2 of my Sonic Design project, I first considered creating a story based on Frozen. However, I realized many of my classmates might choose the same story, so I decided to go with The Little Mermaid instead. One challenge I anticipate is recording some of the boy characters' voices.

Fig 1.1 The Little Mermaid

#Sound Record Progress

1. Building the Soundscape
I started designing the soundscape. Since much of the story takes place underwater, I wanted to create an audio environment that feels fluid and immersive. I sourced sound effects like bubbling water, soft ocean waves, and even the subtle hum of sea creatures to layer in the background. For more dramatic scenes, like the storm or Ariel’s transformation, I began experimenting with more intense sounds like thunderclaps and magical bursts.

Music plays an essential role in setting the mood, so I searched for tracks that matched the whimsy of Ariel’s world and the tension of Ursula’s schemes. I found some light, magical tunes for Ariel’s discovery scenes and darker, more dramatic music for the villainous moments.

2. Choosing sound effects
  • Underwater sounds – Keywords: underwater ambiance, ocean waves, submarine background, bubbling water
  • Splash sounds – Keywords: water splash, splashing into water, splash sound effect
  • Storm sounds (if the story includes a storm scene) – Keywords: thunderstorm, rainstorm sounds, thunder claps, rain falling
  • Seagulls calling – Keywords: seagulls calls, bird sounds beach, seagull flying
  • Magic effects – Keywords: magical sparkle, fairy dust sound, magical wave
  • Ocean wind – Keywords: ocean breeze, wind over water, beach wind sounds
3. Recording 
I began recording the sound using my iPhone. Since my room is small and the fan is quite noisy, I turned off the fan to eliminate any background sound. I made sure to create as quiet an environment as possible before starting. Afterward, I reviewed the script and double checked the pronunciations on Google to ensure accuracy.

Then, I started recording, taking it one scene at a time. I recorded six scenes for the story today. I did multiple takes for each scene, experimenting with different deliveries until I was satisfied with both the sound quality and the emotion in my voice.

#Adobe Audition Editing

1. Reduce Background Noise
After completing the recordings, I began editing the audio using Adobe Audition. One of the most important tasks was reducing the white noise in the recordings, which I did using techniques that my lecturer taught me. I applied tools like the DeEsser and Denoise effects to clean up the audio and ensure a clearer, more professional sound.

Fig 2.1 Parametric Equalizer HP Effect

To further improve the sound quality, I used the Parametric Equalizer (HP) in Adobe Audition to reduce the wind noise in the recordings. This tool helped filter out the low-frequency sounds that were caused by the wind, allowing the voice to come through more clearly.

Fig 2.2 Denoise Effect

In my editing process, I used the Denoise effect in Adobe Audition to clean up the audio recordings. This effect is perfect for eliminating unwanted background noise, such as static, hums, or even environmental sounds like wind or air conditioning, which can interfere with the clarity of the voice.

By applying Denoise, I was able to reduce these distractions without affecting the main audio. The tool works by analyzing the noise profile of the recording and then removing or reducing the specific frequencies that are recognized as unwanted noise, resulting in a cleaner, more professional-sounding recording.


Fig 2.3 Adaptive Noise Reduction Effect

Fig 2.4 Noise Reduction Effect

As part of the editing process, I used the Noise Reduction effect in Adobe Audition to further enhance the clarity of my recordings. The process involves capturing a "noise print," which is a sample of the unwanted noise in the recording. Once the noise print is identified, the Noise Reduction effect isolates and removes these frequencies from the entire recording. This step significantly improved the overall sound quality, ensuring that the voice recordings are clean and professional.

Using these three effects, Parametric Equalizer (HP), Denoise, and Noise Reduction, I was able to significantly enhance the quality of my audio recordings. Each tool played a specific role in cleaning up the sound, removing unwanted noise, and ensuring the voice recordings were clear and professional. Together, these effects transformed the raw audio into a polished product.

2. Fixing 'S' Sounds and Clicks
One challenge I faced during the editing process was managing sibilance, the harsh "S" and "SH" sounds that can make recordings uncomfortable to listen to.

Fig 3.1 Managing Sibilance

Fig 3.2 DeEsser Effect

To address the harsh "S" sounds in my recording, I applied the DeEsser effect in Adobe Audition. This tool is specifically designed to reduce sibilance, which can occur when "S" or "SH" sounds are too sharp or loud. By carefully adjusting the settings, I was able to smooth out these sounds, making the dialogue more balanced and pleasant to listen to. However, some of the "S" sounds were still difficult to adjust perfectly. To refine these further, I experimented with other effects to achieve a more natural and balanced sound.

Fig 3.3 Dynamics Processing Effect

To further refine the audio, I used the Dynamics Processing effect in Adobe Audition. This tool helped me control the volume levels and balance out the sound, especially for the stubborn "S" sounds that were difficult to adjust. 

Fig 3.4 Manage Mouth Clicks Sound

One of the biggest challenges I faced while recording was the presence of mouth saliva sounds, which caused frequent clicking noises, along with noticeable breath sounds. To fix this, I used the Spot Healing tool in Adobe Audition. This tool allowed me to manually target and remove these unwanted sounds without affecting the rest of the recording. By zooming into the waveform and carefully applying the tool to the affected areas, I was able to reduce these distractions significantly, resulting in cleaner and more polished audio.

3. Last Touch Up of the Recording

Fig 4.1 Pitch Effect

For the next step, I decided to use the Pitch effect to adjust the boy's voice in the recording. By modifying the pitch, I was able to fine-tune his voice, making it sound more natural and fitting for his character. I carefully lowered the pitch slightly to match the youthful tone I was aiming for, ensuring it sounded authentic and believable. This adjustment helped enhance the character’s personality, making him feel more connected to the story while keeping the voice clear and engaging for the audience.

Fig 4.2 Dynamics Auto Gate

I also experimented with the Dynamics Auto Gate effect to control the background noise and enhance the clarity of the voice. However, after testing it, I realized that it didn’t quite suit the recording as expected. The effect was too aggressive and ended up affecting the natural flow of the voice, so I decided not to use it in the final version.

Fig 4.3 Hard Limiter Effect

Fig 4.4 Consistent Level

I used the Hard Limiter effect to help maintain consistent volume levels throughout the recording. This effect was useful in capping the audio at a specific threshold, preventing loud peaks and ensuring that the sound didn’t clip. It helped keep the overall volume balanced, which was important for creating a smooth listening experience. However, I noticed that while it worked well for consistency, it slightly reduced the natural dynamics and emotional tone of the voice.

#Multitrack

Fig 5.1 Multitrack

For the next step, I used the Multitrack in Adobe Audition to edit all six recordings for the story. I applied almost the same set of effects to each track to ensure they sounded consistent and cohesive. By treating all the recordings similarly, I was able to maintain a uniform tone and texture across the different scenes.

Fig 5.2 Multitrack for Sound Effects

For the background music and sound effects in the story, I searched online for sounds that would enhance the scenes. For example, when Ariel rises to the surface, I found seagull sounds and the soothing crash of waves to help set the scene and create an immersive atmosphere. 

#Final Outcome
After finalizing the audio, I exported the soundtrack and moved on to the next step: editing the visual effects for the project. I used Adobe Premiere Pro to combine the audio with the visuals and bring the story to life. This involved syncing the sound effects and voice recordings with the animation and adding visual elements that complemented the audio.



Multitrack Mixdown Audio Only

Multitrack Mixdown

REFLECTIONS
Working on this project was an fun experience. Creating an audio story taught me the intricacies of crafting clear, engaging sound. One challenge was background noise during recordings in my room. To fix this, I turned off the fan and later used Adobe Audition tools like Denoise and DeEsser to clean the audio. Mouth clicks and breathing sounds were another issue, which I resolved with the Spot Healing Tool and careful editing. Adding sound effects like waves and seagulls was the most enjoyable part, bringing the story to life and creating an immersive atmosphere. This project was both fun and rewarding, giving me a deeper appreciation for sound design and how clear audio is made. It was a great opportunity to improve my skills and creativity in adobe audition.

THE END
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