Memory Soundscape Project

For this project, we need to use sound to build a memory scene. Therefore, this requirement recalled night study time in my high school. I wrote a related blog to describe the memory and the feelings. https://wp.nyu.edu/vickychen/2021/10/20/memory-soundscape/

To begin with, I recorded many sounds around my home, mostly focused on street sounds, such as cars, steps, people talking, and so on. Because my high school is on a modern road that even at night, I can still hear a variety of sounds. 

Later on, I drew a draft to help me decide the composition and found out that there were some sounds missing. I thought the idea of thinking about arrangements in advance is great that I will not be confused in the process of mixing sounds.

I wanted to show the comparison between studying and break time, so I simply divided the mix into three parts. First, the bell rang, and I rushed out of the classroom to go to the school playground. Secondly, I ran on the track and heard many sounds, such as wind, cars engine, classmates talking far away, people walking beside me. Finally, the bell rang again and I needed to go back to the classroom. I climbed the stairs slowly and pushed the door. I could not hear the street sounds anymore. All I can hear is classmates studying, which made me feel sad. As a result, I sigh in the end.

Below is my first version of the memory soundscape project. 

Later on, I asked the learning assistant and some friends to give me advice. They mentioned that I can focus on the comparison between the emotion. For example, strengthened the talking sounds and maybe added some laugher in the middle part. Therefore, I added a new track, alternate some sounds, and sightly alternate the volume and pan.

I found out that except for the first track, the other sounds suitable. Hence, I decided to focus on the change of track one, especially the bell part. However, the noise is very hard to reduce, so it sounds weird. I felt very anxious because I did not have enough time to record a new one.

Finally, even though I did change to a better version, I forgot to save the final project. 

Nevertheless, after the critique, I found out that the other classmates mainly focus on emotion and did not use many sounds, which may complicate the project itself. In addition, they reduced the noise very well, which is an essential part I need to improve.

Therefore, I decided to make a new project and resubmit before November 29th.