Sonic Design - Project 2
3 Oct 2022 - 1 Nov 2022 (Week 6 - Week 10)
Zetie Binti Bahaman / 0351297 / BDCM
Sonic Design
Project 2: Audio Storytelling
Story Selection
After consulting with Mr Razif about my ideas and direction, he suggested going for it and I could use the visuals from the author (with credit). I also had to change my script from Malay to English.
Revised Script
Translating the Malay version of the dialogue to English was quite challenging. It's not just my lack of vocabulary but also some Malay words that are just indescribable in English as they don't mean the same!
I altered the script's flow and combined the reference content from Malay and English sources.
Voice Acting Test
This is the original audio for the voice-over.
(Recorded using Iphone 14.)
There were some breathing noises in between so I decided to remove them.
Works In Progress
Using the noise reduction method, I removed the breathing sounds in the original recording.
Once I was satisfied with the recording. I started the editing process. As advised by Mr Razif, I organized my multitrack as such.
In my story, there are a three characters and dialogues between them. They are Si Tanggang, Wife, Si Deruma
LECTURES
All lectures are compiled here.INSTRUCTIONS
PROJECT 2
In this project, we are to pick a fairytale/folktale story of our choice and create an audiobook. Not only we have to create the soundscape but also the overall voice acting, SFX and visuals to enhance the storytelling experience.Story Selection
Initially, I wanted to do Malay folklore (Puteri Gunung Ledang/Mahsuri) but there were all stories/legends that didn't have a clear storyline or at least the ones I found online. Until, I stumbled on an eBook version of 'Si Tanggang - The Ungrateful Boy'. Leaning towards this, I still came up with backup ideas of Hercules and Peterpan.
After consulting with Mr Razif about my ideas and direction, he suggested going for it and I could use the visuals from the author (with credit). I also had to change my script from Malay to English.
Revised Script
Translating the Malay version of the dialogue to English was quite challenging. It's not just my lack of vocabulary but also some Malay words that are just indescribable in English as they don't mean the same!
I altered the script's flow and combined the reference content from Malay and English sources.
Voice Acting Test
This is the original audio for the voice-over.
(Recorded using Iphone 14.)
There were some breathing noises in between so I decided to remove them.
Works In Progress
 |
| Fig 1 Original Audio Waveform |
Using the noise reduction method, I removed the breathing sounds in the original recording.
Once I was satisfied with the recording. I started the editing process. As advised by Mr Razif, I organized my multitrack as such.
Narration>Character 1>Character 2>Character 3>SFX/BGM
In my story, there are a three characters and dialogues between them. They are Si Tanggang, Wife, Si Deruma
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| Fig 2 Editing Prep |
I used stretch and pitch to change the recording slightly in order to emphasise a different story scene.
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| Fig 3 Stretch |
I decided to add some effects before the dialogue starts. For example, narration mentions that the character gasps followed with a dialogue.
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| Fig 4 Adjusting Gasp |
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| Fig 5 New Gasp Waveform |
I used a lot of effects to enhance the storytelling, and they are categorized as such:
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| Fig 6 Sound Effects Categories |
https://freesound.org/
https://mixkit.co/free-sound-effects/
https://www.youtube.com/
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| Fig 7 Overall Multitrack |
So based on feedback, there was unnecessary sound effects on my narration. This was my initial settings.
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| Fig 8 Narration Effect |
I removed the Chorus Effect for the narration and used it towards the end as the story comes to a dramatic ending.
Final edits also include removing the harsh /'t/' sounds for my voice recording. Using the 'D-eeser' tool. I applied it into the voice recording
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| Fig 9 Selecting the harsh noise to be reduced |
I am to select the part of the waveform that of that specific harsh sound and head to Amplitude & Compression for the tool. I also removed the 'explosives' in the waveform using the FFT Filter.
It may not be a huge difference, but I do think it sounds better after using those tools.
This is the narration before:
Narration after adjustments:
Visuals
Source:
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/si-tanggang-the-ungrateful-sona-moral-story
https://issuu.com/sitinoorfarhana/docs/tanggang
I couldn't stand the original visuals, so I added old paper texture as an overlay to match the classic genre of the story. Since the script was adjusted based on both the English and Malay versions, the images didn't really fit my story's flow.
To compensate for the lack of visuals. I added minor animations to the visual on top of the narration.
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| Fig 10 Visual Process in Premiere Pro |
Final Outcome
*Note: All photo, video, music, sound effect credits go to the respectful owners.
FEEDBACK
Week 9General Feedback:
- Pick a story that has dialogue so it's not just narration. If the story doesn't have dialogue, we can ad our own dialogue into it.
- Get the recording right and we will have less post-processing to do.
Specific Feedback:
The Malay folklore is interesting, perhaps I can use the English version. Since I mentioned that the dialogue is not as impactful, Mr Razif suggests I translate the Malay version dialogue to English and add them in. This will also allow me to credit both visuals and script from the same author.
Week 10
General Feedback:
In audio storytelling, the audio is always the priority. So we have to gauge when the effects are too excessive.
Specific Feedback:
In the future, I don't have to take the noise print method to remove noise such as breathing. Because sometimes, it may be too abrupt when I remove it completely without considering the white noise in the recording. I just have to select the noise and reduce the audio level on the waveform.
Attempt 01 - The chorus effect gives a weird stereo effect. The effect can be useful to emphasize certain scenario.. like maybe describing a dangerous event. It's best to keep it clean, especially narration.
In audio storytelling, the audio is always the priority. So we have to gauge when the effects are too excessive.
Specific Feedback:
In the future, I don't have to take the noise print method to remove noise such as breathing. Because sometimes, it may be too abrupt when I remove it completely without considering the white noise in the recording. I just have to select the noise and reduce the audio level on the waveform.
Attempt 01 - The chorus effect gives a weird stereo effect. The effect can be useful to emphasize certain scenario.. like maybe describing a dangerous event. It's best to keep it clean, especially narration.
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