Sound Mixing - Assignment #4

Art 345 Sound and Image
MW 4-6:30pm Fall 2009 Joseph DeLappe

Assignment #6: Audio/Sound/Random/Intentional-Two Compositions

Objective:
Working with an audio processing software of your choice, (Audacity, GarageBand, Soundedit, etc.) you will make two final, one minute long, audio pieces combining the three sound projects created to date. (recorded tape loop, musical instrument, voice).

1) Three Track Mix. First create a one minute long project featuring 3 tracks, one each of the above mentioned works works. Keep it simple. Repeat your tape loops to fill the one minute duration - play your instrument for one minute - play your voice piece as many times as it takes to fill one minute. No manipulation beyond controlling sound levels and cleaning up the audio sources if need be. This basic, four track piece needs to be saved to be used to make the two pieces described next - keep this as your back-up source audio!

2) Controlled. Use the same source material to create an audio work that involves the intentional use of mixing, effects and filters in your chosen sound software to create a one-minute audio collage. Have fun and learn to use the software to seriously alter and engage your audio source material to create a new piece. 1minute in duration.

3) Random/Structured. Use the same source material that you saved in the first step, but this time, create a conceptual structure or game which defines how you integrate the sound and how you use the effects and filters. This one should be created entirely from choices made through your chosen conceptual structure/game. Be creative in developing a conceptual approach that will define how you put your work together - invent a system which will define you develop the finished work - ie: you system should instruct you on when to affect differing tracks (1,2,3), volume, balance, use of effects, etc.(we will discuss this further).

Examples:
Artist making sound. The tools available to you for audio processing are as interesting and complex as those in Photoshop for engaging visual imagery. Think of your works as audio collage. Cut, paste, re-assemble with the intent of making a work that ties your three audio sources into a cohesive whole.

John Cage, Marcell Duchamp, Mondrian, Pollock and many other modern artists have utilized random chance, numerical systems and conceptual thinking for the creation of works of art. Developing your own system for defining your audio composition involves the use of an invented structure to define the creation of your second piece. Think creatively. We will discuss these in class before you proceed. Consider the notion of time, random happenings, assign numbers to the various tracks and to the various preferred effects, roll dice, draw cards, take notes every time your phone rings, etc..