Some (random) notes for a sound walk walkshop
Objectives:
Participants will be able to record voices and some ambient sounds, and know how to save these, edit them as a collage, or develop them into a sound walk, in the vicinity of where the walkshop takes place.
Learn about the spectrum of sound walks, and some examples drawn form the shortlists of the annual Sound Walk September Award.
Participants will have an understanding of sound walk composition, the pitfalls to avoid, and learn tips to speed up editing. They will become aware of an editing software as well as a geolocation platform.
Sounds / voices recorded by participants may be incorporated in a sound collage of the area, that in time maybe transpositional between Prespa, Greece and BKN, Sweden
Prior to the workshop, if you know attendees
Consider what items / advice prior to the walkshop:
- Register on WLC Shorelines and to check archive pieces
- Check their smartphone features, download recording or editing apps
- Download Echoes geo-location app
Introductions - who has listened to a sound walk, and who has made a sound walk?
Definitions - who can describe what a sound walk maybe? How may it differ from an audio tour?
Some examples:
1. Listening - using your breath to calm your body, if you wish, close your eyes, listen to your breath, your heart. Walk a few steps - either with your eyes open, or with eyes closed, in the company of another who is your guide where you put your hands on their shoulders and walk behind them as they lead you forward. Listen to the sounds you each make walking. Stand still and listen to the sounds immediately around you. Then listen to sounds that are further way, and finally listen to the sounds that are the farthest reach of your hearing.
Discuss with each other, the sounds that you heard - which were monotonous, intermittent, repetitive, alarming, calming etc.
2. Preparation for recording and sound walk composition
Write rhyming words - 2 syllables, 3 syllables or words that describe the sounds & voices of your surroundings. Share these with each other, consider which words are words that project a sound themselves.
Consider how to write and compose a walking score for an audio / sound walk
Thinking about where you might create a walk for others to enjoy - what things to avoid
Key considerations - ambient interference, route you may invite them to follow, speed of your listener, safety of your listener, clash of sounds, ease of access, wifi shadow, clash of apps on the listener’s recording device
3. Recording on your smartphone or Use a recorder - choice of mic for different ambiences - finding the app / tech
Basic instructions around recording - score, script, breath, rise and fall of voice, sounds of nature or human-induced / mechanical sounds, choice of mic, use of headphones, checking sound levels, keeping out of the wind
Practice recording something you read from your written text*. Record for no more than a minute and then play back. Play back what you have recorded - self critique it - delete it.
Building your own archive of sound recordings
Ambience, soundscape, music, special FX - multiple tracks, layering, fades, dissonance
Royalty free sounds and music - beware of infringing copyright. Release forms for voice recording etc.
Consider the walker’s route - duration of the whole, duration of the encounters with your recordings, duration of the intervening route and the ambiences they will hear that is not your recording, how can this add to your composition or detract from it?
4. Editing your recording - demonstration on Audacity or on a mobile editor, using AI
Duplicate your track, listen through it and make a note of timings, edit from the end towards the start!
Start simply, often the best sound walks do not include sophisticated or complex sound composition and design.
Working in .WAV - render files - saving your work
Compression to mp3 / m4a etc. - what does that entail and what effect does that have on your recording?
Going public - uploading to Soundcloud / Echoes / Placecloud / write@wlc or walklstencreate.org
5. Placing your sounds, use of QR codes or geo-locating your recording using the Echoes app / other platforms - streaming vs downloading etc.
Demonstration of the Echoes app - where’s the submit / publish button - keep saving as you position your recordings
*Further notes on recording written text:
Before recording:
Read through your work and speak it aloud - all actors and singers get their voices ready before a performance or a recording, so it’s wise for you to do that too. You may find it helpful to enlarge the font you are using and double space the lines, to make it easier to read (and you can add a note where you want to take a break or emphasise a particular passage, phrase or word). If you are unsure about how to pronounce a word, YouTube has several helpful videos - just Google it!
Getting ready to record with your smartphone:
Stand or sit comfortably - standing often helps as it gives you more confidence. The microphone of your smartphone is at the bottom edge, so remember to speak to the Botton edge, keeping the phone about 4-5 inches from your chin - as this reduces any noise your mouth makes when speaking your words. Choose somewhere quiet, where you are unlikely to have interruption. Hums are the worst - so keep away from the boiler, washing machine, extractors etc.
Locate the app you are going to record with - I use Siri to find Voice memos on my iPhone, but it is actually nestled in your Utilities folder. For Android you may have to download Voice recorder or another recording app. The common element for each is that they have a big red button that you need to have pressed for the recording to start.
Recording:
Take some breaths before you start - this calms you. Record your reading at least once, listen back to it through headphones, and delete the recordings.
Practice, Practice, Practice.
When you feel settled and ready record the piece.
Read the piece aloud more than once and save the whole recording - then listen back, and make a note of which ’take’ is the one you most like - edit the recording so you keep the ‘take’ you want.
The voice recording apps make it easy to share your audio file - make sure you label it in a way that you will be able to find it later.
