VIDEO & SOUND PRODUCTION - PROJECT 1

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30/04/25 - 15/06/25 (Week 2 - Week 8) 
Michelle (0373843)
Video & Sound Production / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Instructions
2. Process Work
    2.1 Exercise 1: Sound for Visual
    2.2 Exercise 2: Sound Shaping
3. Feedbacks
4. Reflection

INSTRUCTIONS

Exercise 1 - Sound For Visual

We're challenged to bring a silent video clip to live by adding recordings of dialogue (from our own voice), sound effects & background noise (from external online source). We must determine and list out all the components in the video clip that needs sound based on our own judgement. After, the audios are edited to fit the video clip.

Audio Dubbing 
1. Record dialogues (3 person)
2. Find & select sound effects + ambience, from a free online source, NO music.

Audio Editing 
Trim + insert + pitch shift + audio mix audios using Adobe Premiere Pro.

Exercise 2 - Sound Shaping

We were instructed to record our own voice in our first language. Then, we need to edit the audio using Adobe Auditon to sound like 4 different effects: phone call , muffled, echo, and alien voice.

PROCESS WORK

Exercise 1 - Sound For Visual

We begin on week 3 by watching the soundless video clip together in class. Then, we're made into groups to make a list of the audio requirements for the video's sound effects and ambience in a spreadsheet in detail.

For the dialogues, we are assigned to record them ourselves, following the script provided. We are encouraged to adjust our tones and intonations to fit the different character and emotions. So, I did some exploration and took multiple takes for each line as backups. 

Figure 1.1 Dialogue Recordings

On week 4, we're given a tutorial on how to specifically edit audio in Adobe Premiere Pro using all the audio files gathered previously. We are shown how to set up our workspaces along with the necessary tools for editing. We follow along in class, and continued our work at home.

Figure 1.2 Editing Process in Class

I decided to redo my dialogue for the husband character because I felt that my voice was still too high. So I re-record using an even deeper voice.

Figure 1.3 Husband's Dialogue Attempt 2

In class, I've finished placing all the dialogues, and have started a bit on the sound effects. At home, I replaced the old clips of the husband's dialogue with the new ones. Then, I continue on by arranging the sound effects and ambience. After all is placed precisely, I then mix and shift the pitches accordingly. The steps are below:

Audio Editing Steps
1. Import files
2. Make sequence
3. Lock video
4. Right click on audio - add tracks - video 0, audio 7
5. Workspace - audio
6. Trim audio in & out, insert to timeline (make sure cursor in place & target track is selected).

Figure 1.4 Trim, Insert, & Arranging
    Audio Tracks Details
  • A1 - Evelyn
  • A2 - Office lady (audit)
  • A3 - Raymond (husband)
  • A4 - A5 Sound effect
  • A6 - A7 Ambience sound
7. If audio too long - audio transition (end/beginning).
8. Effect control - pitch shifter - edit accordingly.

Figure 1.5 Pitch Shifting

9. Audio mixer - volume - adjust to necessity.

Figure 1.6 Audio Mixing

10. Once done, lock audio

Result: My First Attempt


On week 5, Sir Martin viewed my a couple of our works and give some suggestions for improvements. Back at home, I revised my editing following the Sir Martin's guidance. 

Final Result


Video Result on YouTube

Audio breakdown spreadsheet

Exercise 2 - Sound Shaping

In class on week 8 (11/06/25), we were given a lecture on sound below is my summary.
  • Sound is vibration in the air.
  • Frequency Range: low-high pitch, Hertz (Hz): measurement unit.
  • Dynamic Range: intensity/loudness of sound, Desibels (Db): unit of SPL (sound pressure level) and the threshold of pain 130dB SPL.
  • Space
    • Mono: one mic -> one channel of sound.
    • Stereo: one channel of sound.
After the brief lesson, the class continued with a tutorial for project 1 sound shaping using Adobe Audition.
  1. Create multi-track-section, and edit in there, so the original file is not affected (file -> new -> multitrack sessions).
  2. Drag original file to track.
  3. Apply effects in the effects rack, dropdown menu. It's possible to add until 16. Each of the four sound requires different effects. Below are the details.

Original 10 seconds recording of my own voice in first language



Phone Call Effect
Effect Rack -> Filter & EQ ->  Parametric Equalizer
Bring down bass & treble, bring up mid-range.

Figure 2.1 Phone Call Sound Editing



Muffled Effect
Effect Rack -> Filter & EQ ->  Parametric Equalizer
Bass remain, lower treble, raise mid-range. 

Figure 2.2 Muffled Sound Editing



Echo Effect
Effect Rack -> Reverb
room ambience vs bigger room ambience

Figure 2.3 Echo Sound Editing



Alien Effect
Atleast 2 effects: Pitch Shifter & Flanger

Figure 2.4 Alien Sound Editing


FEEDBACKS

Exercise 1 - Sound For Visual

  • Change door banging effect cause it sounds weird.
  • Lower husband's voice.
  • Make ambience sound louder.
  • Add ambience of people running away.

Exercise 2 - Sound Shaping

  • Explore, don't be scared to try out different things in order to understand the different features and how it effects our audio. Especially for the alien voice, we can use our creativity and make it unique.

REFLECTION

Experience
This audio task was fun and exciting but a struggle for sure (for a beginner like me). I got to experience what it feels like to be a voice actor, experimenting with different speaking methods, and suit our timing with a video. It took me lots of retakes in order to achieve what I've made at the end. To then edit the audios using Adobe Premiere Pro, I discovered a new world in editing! I now am able to manipulate audios to sound differently to be anything I wanted. Before I needed to meticulously look for a suiting affect from many sources to be applied, oftentimes it still sounds odd. Now I can alter and adjust to my liking and preference. Thankfully, since Week 1, we've been introduced to Premiere Pro and have received some editing exercises. So, by the time we need to do this task, we're not shocked.

Observation
I noticed that when I've put lots of effort and worked for too long, my ability to recognize the weaknesses in my work tend to decrease. So, sometimes I need to force myself to take breaks and come back later. Another option is by having a reliable external opinion as another POV to see how good/bad my work is compared to other's or in other's eye.

Findings
I now understand a tiny part of sound making. I gained a deeper respect for people working in this field.  Turns out, for a beginner like me, it could take many many hours just to finish the audio for the video. Various revision works was needed as a result of my (still) shallow experience and sensitivity in the world of sound making. But, it is from the imperfections I did that makes me able to learn. So, at the end, I don't mind putting extra time and effort to redo some of my recording and editing for the end result I got. I am very grateful and quite satisfied with my result!

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