Podcast 5
Modern Audio Manipulation Techniques
What Students Will Do:
- Define and explore concepts such as waveforms, digital audio, Random Access Memory (RAM), and sampling
- Explore differences between analog and digital recording platforms
- Gain knowledge of basic sound design techniques used in musical composition and audio podcasts
National Music Education Standards Addressed:
- Standard 6: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
- Standard 7: Evaluating music and music performances
- Standard 8: Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
Time/Materials Required:
- 15-20 minutes
- Digital media player or computer access to the Internet
Activity Summary:
Whether recording a podcast or mixing a musical composition, today's audio engineers use digital audio editing software to create new sounds and sonic textures. The same technology, which is often available on the Internet for little or no cost, allows amateur and professional sound engineers alike to manipulate digital recordings and enhance their musical compositions. In this activity, students will explore several digital audio manipulation techniques that illustrate the power of computer-based, audio editing technology. The activity also examines how digital arranging and composition techniques can be used in students' audio blogs, podcasts, and musical compositions.
Download Audio Activity and Worksheet:
Click on the link below to download and listen to this activity. Print the student worksheet and distribute to students; instruct them to input their answers while listening to the activity.
Click here to download this podcast
Click here to download Student Worksheet
Click here to download Teacher Worksheet (Student Worksheet with answers)
Vocabulary:
digital audio: sound recording and reproduction systems which work by using a digital representation of the audio waveform.
groove: a combination of repetitive rhythmic ideas that create a steady beat.
loop: a finite element of sound which is repeated by technical means.
phrase: a musical thought-a series of pitches that make sense.
pitch: the highness or lowness of sound determined by its frequency of vibration.
random access: the ability to access data at random, such as on a CD or computer.
reverb: an effect that resounds in a succession of echoes, produced in recorded music by electronic means.
rhythm: combinations of long and short sounds that convey a sense of movement.
tempo: the pace with which music moves.
waveform: A graphic representation of the shape of a sound wave.
Additional Teaching Strategies
Use the activity vocabulary and Web link resources as a discussion motivator, or the extension activity as an engaging, in-class project.
Extension Activity:
Working creatively with visual elements such as text or graphics can inspire crossover ideas in the world of audio. Much like the power of digital audio manipulation programs, word processing and design programs can manipulate words and visual elements to create engaging art forms---words can be repeated over and over, sentences can be pasted numerous times within a text document, and fonts be enlarged or reduced. With the class, use computers and the appropriate software programs to compose several visual pieces that focus on music, such as a collage. After working in the visual domain, return to the aural domain and compose a simple sound collage which draws inspiration from your visual experimentation. If possible, use inexpensive or free audio manipulation software available on the Web.
Additional Web Link Resources:
|
