Spatialisation Homework
In this spatial sound composition experiment, I explored the effect that saturated reverb, delay, warping, EQ and panning have on the dynamics, colour, density and rhythm of a simple mono sound file. For my piece, I chose the sound of dripping water.
To begin my composition, I first applied the Protools’ Airkill plugin in order to cut the unwanted high frequencies that were present in the original recording. This sound was then bussed to a stereo track that facilitated the first reverb in the chain of effects.
I wanted to create a composition with a three act structure. I began the first act with the dripping sound at a low level which was only moderately effected by a De-verb plugin.
The second act introduces the BBD Delay that warps the tone throwing the composition from somewhat familiar to detached from the sounds of everyday life.
To add an extra layer I have applied a reverse effect on the dripping to heighten the detachment of the second act further.
As this was passed through several chains of delay, the feedback function began to override and foreground the entire dynamic. Therefore, I began to automate this delay affect by switching it on and then off again in rhythmic patterns. Interestingly, it was At this stage that, what sounds like the ringing of the telephone was inadvertently created.
This sound was re-introduced at the end of the peace creating a kind of a palindrome where we are again familiarised with day-to-day sounds.
Some of the warping automation revealed undesired artefacts as my system’s CPU struggled to keep up with the processing tasks. My solution to minimise these unwanted artefacts, was not to get rid of them entirely, but to reduce the volume of the aforementioned sequences.
There are some moments that I have attempted to freeze by cutting sections, and then duplicating them several times. These moments develop their own sub rhythm seemingly independent from the overarching rhythm.
Throughout the composition I have applied panning and volume automation to create colour, dynamics and spatial texture.