The microphone project is an exploration of different kinds of recording microphones where I had my voice recorded in these microphones and listened to them side by side to hear how the microphones changed and colored my voice.
This project introduced me to many new microphones and taught me the importance of choosing the right microphone for you and for what you are working on. The main problem that I solved during this project was figuring out how to edit the track on sound trap because I haven’t used sound trap a ton in the past (I guess you could say that this also falls under something I learned). I ended up duplicating the track a bunch of times and then shortening each from both sides so I would have chunks of good recording put together over 12 different tracks.
Terms and Concepts
Microphones
Dynamic – The sound waves themselves create the electrical signal by moving the membrane diaphragm of the microphone. Very popular and very well known. It is good for the low and middle range, NOT the high range.
Condenser – The membrane has an electrical current that waits for sound. When the sound waves hit it, it responds instantly. They are all over the place, but they need an electrical charge {amplifier} from something {battery}.
Polar Patterns
Omni – Picks sound up from all directions equally. This is used for interviews because it can pick up more than one person, without having to have two separate mics.
Cardioid – Picks up one half of the microphone, also known as a ‘directional mic’. Most sensitive in the front, about 180 degrees. Shaped like a heart.
Bi-directional – ‘Figure of 8’, picks the front and behind of the mic, but the 90-degree angle on both sides does not get picked up.
Transduction – Converts one form of energy to another.
Voltage – An electric force or a potential difference shown in volts.
Phantom Power – Activates the condenser in a microphone. DC powered mostly between 12 and 48 DC voltages.
Sensitivity – Voltage at its known sound level. Can be called by its voltage or decibels. A higher number means more sensitivity, everything is mostly in negatives. Sound pressure.
Frequency Response – The range of sound the microphone can produce and how sensitive it is within the range. You want it nice and flat.
Transient – A variation in current, voltage, or frequency.
Placement – Placement of the microphone is key, depending on the sounds you want, it can just be the distance from you or the instrument from the microphone. This part of the microphone can affect others emotionally in a way to connect with the audience.
Proximity Effect – Decreased sensitivity to low mics, which reduces background noise and vibration and counteracts when used very close to the source.
Output – A place where the sound leaves the system.
Characteristics – This is the Relative Response and Frequency measured in a Hertz graph to show how good or bad the microphone is. This can show the quality of the mic.
Noise Rating – The signal (sound source) to noise ratio measured in decibels (dB). Noise is any sound in the background you don’t want. Electricity vibrates at 60dB so you want the ratio of the signal and noise to be higher than that. Preferably 90dB or higher.
Hardware
Clips – A clip is something that you use to hold a microphone on something {for example – stand }, but, using the wrong kind of clips can affect the performance, make sure it is tight so it has the correct effect.
Stands – This ties in with a clip, this is what the clip will connect to. This keeps the microphone towards the object you want to hear without having to hold it or keep it still.
Windscreen – Something that covers and protects the microphone, mostly a foamy material.
Direct Box – A device used to connect an instrument directly into the audio mixer.
By Jan. 13, as a pianist and songwriter, I will have evidence for a piano song I will write by referring to this interview with Jon Batiste for session 3.
PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY
Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)
-Rythem in songs (0:35) -Right-hand melody (dancing and crying)(0:50) -Stories in the music (1:30) -Drones (4:10) -creating space and its purpose (5:52)
Training Source(s)
– Chord progressions (0:35) – Chord inversions (1:25) – melody (4:20) -break down of melody (4:50) -take the time to experiment using a simple chord progression (1, 4, 5)
SMART Goal Schedule
listen to what I have done so far
listen to other piano songs or non-piano songs for inspiration
don’t copy the inspirational songs
write and brainstorm more of the song in 10-15 minute increments
take a 1-2 minute break to clear my head
record progress with something like voice memos (should take the song length)
This project challenged me to learn new skills for music writing and to find new ways to use chords to make melodies that I haven’t done before.
Ways of Working
This was an independent project so I didn’t collaborate with one and there wasn’t much communication needed to complete this project other than communicating about equipment.
Tools for Working
For this project, I used the notes app to write down ideas for the song and I used voice memos as well as the recording function on the keyboard to listen back to what I was working on.
Ways of Living in the World
Having songwriting skills could help me in my future in my career because I want to go into the music field and it might be important to understand the basics of how songs are written.
Self-Evaluation of Final Version
I think I am going to continue to add and refine this song when we do our songwriting session. Overall I liked how it turned out and I think it just needs some more polishing, I need to add some more emotional aspects to the song like different dynamics.
By November 18th, as part of School of Rock, I will learn and have evidence for learning the drum set part to Nothing Else Matters by Metalica, Using this drum notation video by Jack Young.
PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY
Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)
I chose this interview because Lars Ulrich is the drummer for Metalica, which is who wrote the song and it gives me a good perspective of the drummer which I think is important because he is the one who originally performed and worked on this song.
Training Source(s)
-bring out the first and 3rd notes in measure 4 (1:06) -work measure 13 slowly (0:28) -most of the song is repetitive and uses the same rhythm -Time signature change to 3/4 at measure 36 (1:26) -Time signature change to 6/8 at measure 37 (1:28) -End at measurer 47 (1:56)
PRODUCTION
SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence
welp, the audio file didn’t really work and I decided not to do this song. Read below for the full story,
SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence
Instead of a recording of the final version of this song I’m going to write about why I didn’t really like this song. First off I haven’t really listened to this song before because I don’t really listen to Metallica. It doesn’t fit with my music taste. Overall I didn’t enjoy playing this song on the drums. It felt repetitive and boring but that also might just be what the drum set is like for a lot of rock and metal songs so maybe the drumset isn’t my instrument or maybe I should try to explore more general like jazz because I already have preexisting living for jazz music and it seems like it would be fun on the drums. overall I just don’t like the actual song in general but I’m glad I tried it because now I have a better understanding of my preferences for the drums.
POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION
21st Century Skills
Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)
For this project, I used different ways of thinking to find ways o play the rhythms and to find the best ways to learn the music.
Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)
I didn’t really collaborate with anyone on this project but there is an underlining collaboration in everything.
Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)
I used resources around me to learn the music and complete the project in the most efficient way that I could.
Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)
This project helped me develop life and career skills because it helped me be able to do things quickly when I needed to and communicate with others.
By October 14th, as part of School of Rock, I will learn the basics and fundamentals of drumming using this youtube video and the Modern Band Method-Drums book 1.
I will work through the modern band method book and various youtube videos to learn the fundamentals of drumming and drum notation. As of now, I know very little about drum notation.
SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence
I have finished the modern band method book. Now I roughly know the different symbols that represent different tones and drums versus symbols and where they are all located on the staff through watching youtube videos of drumset songs that have the music with the recording, and the Vic Firth tutorials.
POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION
21st Century Skills:
Ways of Thinking
This project helped me develop my creativity and problem-solving by forcing me to find new ways of thinking outside of the box to troubleshoot drumsets and use what I have learned to become more creative with music in general.
Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)
This project helped me advance my communication and collaboration skills because I had to work with other people that are also interested in drumming and I had to communicate ways that I was going to accomplish my goals.
Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)
For this project, I used various tools such as an electronic drumset, a real drumset, youtube, the internet, and the modern band method book.
Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)
The skills I developed during this project will be helpful in my future life and career because communication was a big thing in this project and things tend to work better when people can communicate well.
