1st Assignment - Sound Walks

SONIC SKETCHING WITH FRESSOUND

"Sound Walks" is a practical exercise that introduces the students to the conceptual representation and design of sound in opposition to the factual recording of sound.

Step 1

In this exercise pairs of students walk together in different locations taking turns in two roles: (A) describing the sound elements that one can identify blindfolded; (B) taking notes creating a list of sounds, and a log of events. In some Cases Students form Groups of 3.

Step 2

Students create a set of sounds that correspond to the list from the previous step by searching and retrieving sound files from the website freesound.org.

Step 3

Using the sounds from the step 2, students should create a sound montage using a non-linear sound editing software (recommended: Audacity) that corresponds to the sequence of events described on the sound log from step 1. By the end of this step students have a Sound Sketch of the location visited previously, which represents their perception of that experience. Sound elements should be emphasized according to description at the sound log.

Step 4

Students should go back to the locations and record the audio from the sound walk and take some photos from the location.

Step 5

The exercise is finalized. At this point the student should compare the Sound Sketch and the Field Recording, and critically analyze the differences. 

Results from this exercise  with 12 Groups of Students conducted in April 2011:

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Group A - Angelo & Jerusa (Seaside Street)