We also looked at the artistic and historical background of sound. In Luigi Russolo’s The Art of Noise, he wrote that noise could become part of music, and that the sounds of machines should also be included in artworks. This made me think that noises like construction, car horns, or motorbikes could also be used in sound art. Especially today, in the 21st century, with fast industry and technology, these sounds are already part of our daily life. I also found Annea Lockwood’s listening practice interesting. Her river sound maps made me realize that sound can hold time and memory. This means I should not only collect sounds, but also connect with them and think about how they relate to each other.

I tried using each of these microphones. It was a really interesting experience. 

I started importing the sounds I recorded in the past weeks into AU for editing. I cut out the extra parts and added fade in and fade out to make the transitions smoother. I also tried echo and delay effects to make the sound feel more spacious.

I‘m still not very skilled at the software. Sometimes the fades sound unnatural, or the effects are too strong. I hope to improve my control of sound layers and create new listening experiences.

① Use footsteps as the main line. As the steps continue, the background sounds change, creating a journey of sound.

② Focus on one environment at different times of the day. The same place in the morning, noon, and evening will sound very different. By comparing these changes, I want to show the layers of the environment.

I‘m not sure which idea is better, and I also wonder if the work needs to show a story or journey through sound. I still have many questions, and I plan to ask in the one-on-one guidance next week.

Sound is vibration, and different materials and structures respond to it in their own ways.

Through this experiment, I understood more clearly the relationship between vibration and sound. The contact mic let me hear tiny sounds that are usually invisible to the ear. I think this could be an interesting way to explore the hidden sounds of different objects.

I tried making sound with different objects like a glass bottle, bracelet, paper, and a metal rack. By hitting, rubbing, and pulling them, I could hear how each material made a different tone and texture. It’s interesting how even small actions can create unexpected sounds.

It’s time to start making!

Concept:

My project explores the tension between digital efficiency and physical traces in modern communication (the opposition and combination of technology and human touch in the digital age). By contrasting the mechanical process of typing with the bodily act of handwriting, I want to use sound to show how our modes of expression have shifted from unique and tangible forms to standardized and replicable ones.

Content and Methods:

I will create a split-screen video. One side will show the process of typing on a keyboard, while the other will show handwriting on paper. I will record both the sounds of typing and writing, and add background sounds that represent technology and manual actions to enhance the contrast. For example, the typing side will include mouse clicks and device vibrations, and the writing side will include the sounds of flipping pages and erasing.

The sound design will have three stages: in the beginning, the two sound types will appear alternately; in the middle, they will blend together; and in the end, either one may dominate, or they may continue overlapping.

Writing Content (Maybe):

Typing side:

I am typing. 我在打字

I am typing words on a screen. 我在屏幕上打字

The words are clear. 这些字很清楚

The words can be deleted. 这些字可以被删除

This is a copy. 这可以被复制

I am making a copy. 我在复制

Writing side:

I am writing. 我在书写

I am writing words on paper. 我在纸上写字

The words are unique. 这些字独一无二

The words leave a mark. 这些字会留下痕迹

This is an original. 这是一个印记

I am making a mark. 我在留下痕迹

Testing and Experimentation:

I recorded the friction sounds of different pen tips on various types of paper to test their effects. I also experimented with typing sounds at different speeds and intensities to create variation and rhythm.

Production Location:

All recording and editing work will be done at my home.

Research Plan:

Inspired by R. Murray Schafer’s soundscape theory, I will treat digital and analog environments as distinct acoustic ecosystems. I plan to explore the use of dual-channel audio techniques to emphasize the contrast and immersive experience between the two soundscapes.

Artists Referenced:

Anne F Jacques: Her use of electromechanical devices to create sound from everyday objects inspired me to treat the keyboard and writing tools as sound sources.

Michel Chion: Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen.

Paul gave me a really helpful suggestion. He said I could pre-record the typing sound and play it on my laptop in class, while I write on paper in real time and amplify the sound with a microphone.

This is a great direction! Thank you!

While typing, I also changed the typing rhythm and the force I used on the keyboard. I recorded many clips to test and compare the differences.

I also recorded some sounds related to both technology and hand-made actions to add to the background, such as pressing computer keys, clicking the mouse, sliding the mouse, pressing phone buttons, flipping paper, tearing paper, rubbing with an eraser, opening a pen cap, and pressing a gel pen, etc.