BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007

Digital Media – Audio Recording Digital Media – Audio Recording and Editingand Editing

Robert Putnam

putnam@bu.edu

BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007 2

OutlineOutline

Three classes / labs– Recording audio in the studio– Recording audio in the field– Editing audio with Audacity

Taught by Manny Rettinger (UNM)

BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007 3

Studio RecordingStudio Recording

Preparation– Sound design• Sounds for visible objects

– Usually triggered by avatar proximity

• Sounds for the environment ("ambient“– Usually self-triggering

– Assemble instruments/props– Rehearse

BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007 4

Studio recordingStudio recording

Introduction to recording equipment–Microphone(s)–Mixer– Reverb, compressor/limiter, etc.– Computer hardware/software

2-3 hour recording session

BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007 5

Field recordingField recording

Preparation and equipment introduction as above

Many field recording options:– On-site interviews– Natural sounds: water, wind, wildlife– Human activities: cooking, working,

recreation– Novel sound effects

BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007 6

Editing audio with AudacityEditing audio with Audacity

Digital audio editing software– Free!– Intuitive interface– Features• Multi-track mixing / editing• Effects such as time/frequency shifting,

equalization/filtering, reverb/echo, etc.• Supports many audio file formats

BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007 7

Audacity user interfaceAudacity user interface

BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007 8

Key tasksKey tasks

Opening and closing filesCutting and pastingEffects– Fade in, fade out– Filtering–Mixing

BPC: Art and Computation – Summer 2007 9

DiscussionDiscussion