Monday, October 27, 2008

Audio/Software response

1. Discuss your experiences with building your microphones. Was this process more or less what you thought it would be? How did your microphone rig work on your Drift walks? Were you able to capture both overall ambiance and extreme closeups? Describe your ideal microphone and recorder setup, with unlimited time and money.

The process of building the microphones wasn't too bad because I lucked out and got it my first attempt, the idea of building something like that scared me at first. I didn't think I could make anything like that, but now I have, and might do it again someday.

2. How was your experience with operating the MiniDisc recorder? How does this recorder compare to other audio equipment you've used? In an ideal world, how would your recorder of choice function?

The MiniDisc recorder took a bit to get used too, and it was hard to judge how high I should have the record volume turned up. I feel I know have a better understanding of the functions the recorder uses and I could get much cleaner sounds from it. It also gave me a new way of looking at things, or hearing them rather. While listening to the world through the recorder and microphones, I was able to hear much more that I was previously, everything was turned up.

3. Discuss the audio-editing software you chose and your history with this application. If you used this software for the first time, explain why you chose this particular application and how you think it helped you to accomplish your creative goals (or proved detrimental). Will you use this software again for future projects?


I have only used Audicity once before this class and I was able to learn a bit about it before hand, so my overall opinion of the program is pretty good. It's easy to use and has many functions that really do some amazing things. I will definitly continue using this program for school, and non-school related activities.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

10 questions

1. Are there any heavly populated areas, that are filled with peaceful sounds?
2. When are there no cars are and the streets, and where?
3. Are there any roads with just nature around them?
4. Are there any residental areas surrounded by nature?
5. Is there a lake in the area that doesn't smell like dead fish?
6. Are there any open fields, with no business surrounding it?
7. Where would one look for a field such as that?
8. Can you find peaceful, soothing sounds in a highly active area of town?
9. What makes one peaceful?
10. Are peaceful feelings what I'm after?

Drift Assessment

1. Describe two situations that aggravated, bothered, shocked or otherwise stressed you during Drift 1. (Please note that the situation CANNOT be technology-related.)

One of the main things that was aggravating was that fact that I couldn't stay comfortable. I was either too hot, or too cold and was always taking my sweatshirt on and off. This took away from the experience. Another thing that bugged me was the amount of interference I found while trying to record something, wither it be a car or some loud conversation, it seemed to be hard to find a good place to record.

2. Describe, with details, two situations during Drift 1 in which you felt unusually peaceful, at ease, or contemplative.

One situation that I guess some people didn't like was one of my sounds. I was sitting one the road listening to cars drive by and then therew as a gap in the noise and a single leaf blew acrossed the street. It reminded me that we need to take a break in our busy life.

Another event that was soothing was walking down a back street away from any major street. There was no noise at all. I was still in a residental area, but there was only the sounds of nature and beautiful yards all around me.

3. Describe three surprises or unexpected situations you encountered on your Drift and in the days that followed. The surprise could stem from your expectations that conflicted with "on the ground" realities, cultural or social issues of which you were previously unaware, feelings and reactions that you did not expect to have, appearances and soundings of things you did not expect, good or bad outcomes of "on the spot" decisions you had to make, or the discovery of "deeper" realities in the materials you brought home. (Again, skip anything technology-related!)

I didn't expect this walk to be so peaceful. It was surprisingly relaxing.

Another was the surprise was when I was walking back to the dorms and the brews had hit a home run, it sounded like a horde of people was charging at me, but I couldn't tell from where.

The leaf blowing acrossed the street really made me think about how we need to take some time and just relax. We are all so uptight and busy all the time. Sometimes we just need to take 15 minutes out of the day and just sit.

4. Describe your favorite experience, situation, place, or recollection from your Drift. Be specific about what happened, how you felt, how you reacted, and why you think this particular experience affected you so much.

My favorite experience was the walk. It just made me so relaxed. I wasn't intrupped by people, or technology, I just walked and listened. Nature can be so peaceful. I was alittle uptight when left the dorms, I looked silly, who wouldn't? But as I got farther and farther away from the dorms, and farther from people and noise, I became very relaxed. Nothing matter, just wanted to listen and enjoy. I could see myself doing this again, but just to go listen, wouldn't even record anything, just go out, walk, and enjoy the sounds.