With my journey into making audio documentaries, the process of interviewing seemed to be inherently intertwined with the progress of the process itself – both as a form of exploration as well as a medium. Interviewing allows for both understanding of perspective (from a person as well as a topic) and idea. I like to keep interviews less formal opting for a more “fly-on-the-wall” natural approach, wanting the final product to be more of an exchange of ideas rather than solid questions and answers.
With this one I am developing, I Interviewed my brother who went to his first-ever Qawwali performance in person. I ask him one question and allow him to breathe and venture into what he would like to say and allow his thoughts to roam freely in their most expressive form then cut out key moments I want to use more specifically placing them into places I feel would structurally enhance the documentary episode itself.
By doing so, it creates a raw experience for the listener, allowing them to delve into thoughts born in their infancy if you will – abstract ideas and concepts that come to mind and unveil during the process of conversation and shared thought. I do not go for questions that require specific answers, I leave them open-ended and undetailed letting the subject fill in the gaps. This is one the first times I have actually thoroughly tried to interview so seriously – especially when it comes to more public figures who I plan to interview in the future
Develop your sound: Before you begin creating beats for your beat tape, it’s important to develop your own unique sound. This will help you stand out from other producers and make your beats more attractive to potential buyers. Take the time to experiment with different instruments, samples, and effects to find your signature sound.
Create a variety of beats: When making a beat tape, it’s important to have a variety of beats that appeal to different audiences. This could include different genres, tempos, and moods. Having a diverse range of beats will make your beat tape more appealing to potential buyers and increase the chances of finding the right beat for a specific artist or project.
Quality over quantity: When creating a beat tape, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity. It’s better to have a few high-quality beats than a large number of mediocre ones. Be sure to spend the time necessary to perfect each beat before moving on to the next one.
Promote your beats: Once your beat tape is complete, it’s important to promote it to potential buyers. This could include sending it to other producers, artists, and labels, sharing it on social media, or even hosting a listening party. The more people who hear your beats, the greater the chances of someone wanting to purchase them.
Be open to negotiation: When selling your beats, be open to negotiation. Some potential buyers may want to make changes to the beat, while others may want to purchase exclusive rights. Be open to discussing different options and finding a mutually beneficial agreement.
One of the important techniques I learned whilst working at HQ was using a mixing chain. I had used one before – but it had never been this complex – here I was able to explore different plug-ins used to create a clearer sound in the mix as well as really define their use in a piece of music or for foley and sound design.
I was given a specific chain of mixing order that had been used in multiple commercial tracks for the record label (however I will not publicize the specifics on the blog as the producer did not want me to etc) However the basic idea went something like:
An EQ, to bring up the high and ends and take out a bit of the lows, a compressor, de esser, multipressor, exciter, refinement, a limiter and then EQ and steroe on the high end. After that, on the bus, reverbs, compressions, saturations and exciters are added. This chain is specifically for vocals – something I struggled mixing initially.
With an effects chain, the order of your plugins is important. Depending on where a plugin is in the effects chain, it will have a variable influence on the sound. Understanding how the order of plugins affects sound can help you make make decisions and fix issues.
Produced at HQ recording in Leicester, a video for artist StudioWyzz required foley elements – sound design would be crucial to the realism intended for the video’s gritty nature. By using all the mixing techniques I had learned in the previous weeks as well as individual artistic thought and collaboration the studio came together to help sync foley with video. Beeps, car revs, voices were all used to enhance the visceral sincerity in the video.
One thing to think about when creating foley for the music video is how it will interact with the music itself – whether or not it will take away from it or add to it, in terms of both production value as well as entertainment value. Each sound had to be synched perfectly with the visual to make sure the sounds matches synchronously.
As a sound designer, one of the many tasks you may be responsible for is creating and editing foley for a music video. Foley is the process of adding sound effects to a film or video production in post-production, and it’s an important part of the sound design process that helps bring the visuals to life and enhance the overall viewing experience.
Before you begin working on the foley for a music video, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the story and the visual elements that are present in the video. This will help you determine which sounds will be necessary to add and how they should be used.
To start, you’ll need to gather all of the necessary equipment and tools. This may include a sound effects library, foley pit, microphones, recording software, and any other equipment that you may need to create and edit the sounds.
Next, it’s time to start creating the foley for the music video. This may involve recording sounds for specific actions or movements on screen, such as footsteps, clothing rustles, or object impacts. You can also use sound effects from your library or create your own sounds using a variety of techniques, such as layering, pitch shifting, and EQing.
Once you have all of the necessary sounds recorded, it’s time to edit and mix them into the video. This may involve adjusting the volume and panning of the sounds to match the action on screen, as well as applying any necessary effects or processing to create the desired sound.
It’s important to pay attention to the overall balance of the sound in the music video, as well as the placement of the foley in relation to the music and other sound elements. By carefully considering these elements, you can create a cohesive and immersive sound design that enhances the overall viewing experience.
Placing specific sounds in the right place is extremely important in sound design, including foley editing for a music video. Proper placement of sounds can help create a sense of realism and immersion, making the viewer feel like they are actually present in the scene. It can also help to enhance the overall narrative and emotional impact of the music video.
For example, if a character is shown walking across a room in the music video, the foley artist would need to carefully place the footsteps in the correct timing and location to match the on-screen action. If the footsteps are not placed correctly, it can break the illusion and pull the viewer out of the experience.
Proper sound placement can also help to create a sense of continuity and flow within the music video. If the sounds are not placed correctly, it can disrupt the flow of the video and create a disjointed and jarring viewing experience.
Overall, placing specific sounds in the right place is a crucial aspect of sound design and foley editing, and it requires careful attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the visuals and narrative of the music video. By placing sounds correctly, you can create a cohesive and immersive sound design that enhances the viewing experience.
In conclusion, foley editing for a music video is a crucial part of the sound design process that helps bring the visuals to life and create a more immersive viewing experience. By gathering the necessary equipment and tools, recording and creating the appropriate sounds, and carefully editing and mixing them into the video, you can create a professional and effective foley track that enhances the overall sound design of the music video.
During the course of my placement, I have been understanding more and more mixing techniques used within a sonic process. One of those being equalization, something I previously knew about but never really truly understood properly. Through shadowing and asking questions I have begun to understand EQ from the perspective of an entire audio piece down to its most definitive elements. Where certain sound sits within a mix is just as important as what sounds are boosted.
Equalization (EQ) is a plug-in designed to change the frequency content of your recordings and assist all of the aspects of your production function musically together. Every note played by an instrument has a basic frequency and overtones above it that give it a distinctive timbre and make it identifiable. The process of raising a frequency or frequency is known as additive EQ.
Boosting is not intrinsically superior or worse than subtractive EQ (cutting). However, it is true that an EQ boost increases the level of a signal and must thus be regulated to avoid distortion. Furthermore, most equalizers change the harmonic balance, which can cause slight phase abnormalities. Large enhancements tend to make this more noticeable.
Low boosts in the 40-100 Hz region offer that bottom-end boom that is so important for current kick, bass, and tom sounds. Lower-mid boosts in the 200-600 Hz region can give warmth to a sound, such as a thin voice track, but can also introduce undesired muddiness. Midrange boosts in the 1,000-4,000 Hz range can add presence, bringing a track forward and defining it, but if used excessively, they can add a nasal, honking quality.
In this initial first week, I mostly shadowed a mixing student who was mixing a professional track. It was a good initial introduction and allowed me to see the doings of musical sound in a professional setting, whilst gaining valuable mixing knowledge. I learned roughly how to use certain plugins in an effective way and gained the overall gist of mixing sound. I was shown around the studio as well as shown how other artists worked within the studio space and the way in which they created.
Having good people skills is vital for success in the creative and music production industries. Working with clients, coworkers, or other industry experts requires the ability to effectively communicate and create connections.
The capacity to successfully interact with others is an important part of people skills in this situation. This includes being able to properly communicate your thoughts and recommendations, as well as listening to and understanding the needs and aspirations of others. It’s also essential to be able to negotiate terms and prices, as well as properly describe the value you provide to a project.
In addition to communication abilities, the ability to create and sustain connections is crucial in the creative and music production industries. This involves the ability to work successfully in a team and collaborate with others to achieve common goals. It also entails being able to network and connect with other industry experts, since these contacts may provide essential sources of knowledge, support, and opportunities.
Strong people skills are also necessary for establishing trust and credibility with clients and coworkers. You’ll be able to create strong and lasting relationships that will help you thrive in this competitive and interesting sector if you demonstrate your ability to successfully engage with people.
Overall, the value of interpersonal skills in a creative and music production environment cannot be emphasized. Working with clients, coworkers, or other industry experts requires the ability to effectively communicate and create connections. You will be well-positioned to thrive in this exciting and rewarding career if you learn and hone these talents.
As a professional or creative in the music production business, it’s important to be able to effectively communicate with potential clients in order to sell your services and abilities. This means having a strong understanding of the language and terminology used within the industry, as well as the confidence and expressiveness needed to effectively engage with clients.
One key aspect of this is being able to clearly and confidently articulate your skills and experience. This can include knowing the technical terms for various software and equipment, as well as being able to describe your creative process and approach to music production. By demonstrating your expertise and understanding of the industry, you’ll be able to build credibility and trust with potential clients.
In addition to technical language, it’s also important to have a strong understanding of industry-specific terms and concepts. This includes understanding the different roles and responsibilities within the music production process, as well as being familiar with industry trends and best practices. By demonstrating a deep knowledge of the field, you’ll be able to show potential clients that you’re the right person for the job.
When talking to potential clients, it’s also essential to have strong communication skills and the ability to effectively convey your ideas and recommendations. This means being able to listen to their needs and goals, and being able to clearly articulate how your skills and experience can help them achieve their objectives. It’s also important to be able to negotiate terms and pricing and to be able to clearly articulate the value you bring to a project.
Confidence and expressiveness are also key when talking to potential clients. It’s important to project a sense of competence and expertise and to be able to clearly and effectively communicate your ideas. By being confident and expressive in your communication, you’ll be able to build rapport and establish a strong connection with potential clients.
Overall, having a strong command of the language and terminology used in the music production industry, as well as strong communication skills and confidence, are essential for being able to effectively sell yourself and your abilities to potential clients. By demonstrating your expertise and ability to effectively engage with clients, you’ll be well-positioned to succeed in this competitive and exciting field.
As a student learning about music production, I recently discovered the concept of compression and how it can be used to shape the sound of a track. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the technical terms and parameters involved, but as I started to experiment with compression in my own music, I began to see how powerful it can be in bringing a track to life. This is important in professional settings where the sound must be of high quality for certain clients.
So, what exactly is compression? Simply put, it’s a way of reducing the dynamic range of a sound by limiting the volume of the loudest parts. This can help to even out the levels of different elements in a mix, making it easier to hear everything clearly. It can also be used to add punch and clarity to a sound, or to create a sense of tension or energy in a track.
There are a few key parameters that you can adjust when using a compressor. The threshold determines the level at which the compressor starts to kick in, while the ratio determines how much the compressor reduces the volume of the sound above the threshold. The attack and release settings control how quickly the compressor responds to changes in the sound, and the makeup gain can be used to bring the overall level back up after the compression has been applied.
One thing that I found out when shadowing as well as found helpful when learning about compression was to start by using it sparingly, and then gradually increase the amount until I got the desired effect. It’s also important to listen carefully to how the compressor is affecting the sound and to make sure that it’s not doing more harm than good.
One of the great things about compression is that it can be used on just about any type of sound, from drums and bass to vocals and synths. It’s a versatile tool that can help you craft a wide range of sounds and styles in your music.
Overall, I’m really excited about the possibilities that compression offers in music production, and I can’t wait to continue learning and experimenting with it in my own projects. Whether you’re just starting out with music production or you’re a seasoned pro, I highly recommend giving compression a try – it can make a big difference in the way your tracks sound.
