Learning by Ear:
Creating Sound
without Fury
Mary Ellen Bornak
bornakm@bucks.edu
John Sheridan
sheridaj@bucks.edu
Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA
Sounding Us Out
John’s a jazz guitar
Mary Ellen’s a beach
Discussion Sound Bites:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sound and cognition
Sound and learning
Instructional design
Digital sound
Sound Production
Sound Workstation
Dual Cognitive Processing
Multiple input
Visual, auditory
Multiple process
Eye, ear
Multiple paths
Dual Process Learning
Single Memory Process
Visual working memory
(Animation and text)
Dual Memory Process
Visual plus auditory memory
(Animation, text, and sound)
Result: Out-Performance
Retention, recognition, transfer
Audio
Listening Skills
Listening skills help students:
• Identify main ideas
• Recall details
• Sequence events
• Draw conclusions
• Identify perspectives
• Predict outcomes
Auditory Stimulation
• Transfers to reading skills
• Results in more reflection
• Utilizes familiar brain paths
Captures imagination, drama,
Audio Demonstrations
Renowned speakers, leaders model:
Oral clarity, style, coherence, expression,
rhetorical devices, strategies
Instructional Strategies
Real life aspect
News broadcasts, interviews
Instruction
Explain assignments
Teacher presence
Penn’s Prof. Bill Berner
demonstrates expertise
http://mediamogul.seas.upenn.edu:8080/ram
gen/physics_lab/real/reflectionrefraction.rm
Instructional Strategies
• Memory Aid
Rhythm and sound
Photo, text and sound
Language class
Storytelling
Effective teaching
Experiential literature
http://wiredforbooks.org/carol/
http://wiredforbooks.org/macbeth/
• Richness of web
Culture, language
Audio
Teacher Presence
Spinal Cord Protection
By the vertebral column, meninges, cerebrospinal
fluid, and vertebral ligaments.
Adding Narration to
Slides
Merlot: Charles Ansorge LTA
PowerPoint: Tutorials
Portable Station Decisions
High-end
ProTools
MBox
Low-end
FreeTools
No XP version
Windows Recorder
IPod
Audacity
Considerations:
Platform
PC, Mac
Web
File format
Capture
Compression
High-End Hardware Setup
•
•
•
•
Computer
MBox
Condenser mic
Low-impedence
mic cable (2)
Add-On Equipment
Portable mic stand
Gooseneck mic holder
Headphones
Mic Choice
Key to Quality Sound
Handheld mics, Imic and Lavelier
Software Choices
Sound recording
ProTools
Windows Recorder (free)
Audacity (free)
Sound editing
ProTools
Audacity (free)
File conversion
ProTools
Jukebox (free)
Free Recording Software
Windows Sound Recorder
Basic Mic, Free Recorder
Mic basics:
Quality
Position
Sound Recorder
Hardware Ready to Record
Laptop
• MBox
• Mic
• Mic Stand
• Cables
• Headphones
On Call:
Our Portable Studio
1. Request
2. Script assured
3. In-office setup
Script Is Ready…Now
Start with clean sound environment
Survey office noise
Heater
Air Conditioner
Telephone
Hallway noise
Interruptions
Prepare for the Worst
Unexpected Noise
Grass blowing outside the window
Security guard’s squawking radio
Bad Takes
Don’t stand on the cables
Plan for Retakes
Checklist Reminders
• Set headphone volume
• Set mic level
– Highest without clipping
– Loudest passage
• Record a take
– Don’t rush
• Affects quality
• Talent performance
• Playback
– Check for clean signal
• Do Multiple takes
Working with Pro Tools
Copy and paste
Editing
Fades (in, out, cross)
Repair wave form
Mixing
Compression
Reverb
Effects, equalization
Volume peaks
Dialogue depth
Mixing/Final Output
in Pro Tools
Automation
– Mix
– Mute
– Effects
Set Output Levels
Final Mix Down
Audio Mastering Data
File format
•
AIFF, Wav, MP3 or real audio?
Sampling rate
•
44.1 kHz for CD quality
Bit depth
•
16-bit depth for CD quality
Bounce to disk
•
•
Mono
Stereo
From .wav to .mp3
Jukebox File Converter Interface
Show Time:
Walt’s Welcome Page
Putting Heads Together
To Take Home Ideas
•
•
•
•
•
•
Share successful uses
Ideas to cut costs
Embed or stream?
Equipment – high-end, low-end
References and tutorials
Any software/recommendations