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
Johns a jazz guitar

Mary Ellens 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
Penns 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

Considerations:
Platform
PC, Mac Web

Windows Recorder IPod Audacity

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 ReadyNow
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 guards squawking radio

Bad Takes
Dont stand on the cables

Plan for Retakes

Checklist Reminders
Set headphone volume Set mic level
Highest without clipping Loudest passage

Record a take
Dont 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:
Walts 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