A short sample of a track used to evoke notions of a machine for an advanced production project in my 3rd year at university.

At first I suggested using a sample of humming recorded from the theatre speaker amplifier, while this suited the arrhythmic style of sound we were looking for; in its current state the sample was too high pitched and had an irritating electrical whine. In order to solve this issue I edited the sample through my own sound equipment (Novation Twitch) and software (Serato Itch) to make it more appropriate. I reduced the pitch, added some low pass filter to subtract the whining and used a three band equaliser to subtract any further high and mid level frequencies.

Advanced Production Project - Machinal Ambient Noise

This is an extract from 'The Dark Poet' a performance on the life and times of visionary stand-up comedian Bill Hicks devised and performed by Michael Fish. 

This scene required the live application of several effects to the microphone to enhance the notion of a psychedelic experience. I used echoing and reverb to create this whilst also utilising an appropriate underlaying track which was sharply cut for comedic value as a member of the group exclaims he's not feeling the trip. 


The Dark Poet - Mushroom Trip

This soundscape recording formed part of a group proposal for the Space Place & Landscape module at Aberystwyth University. 

The idea behind this work was to take participants in the piece on a planned route of Parc Penglais nature reserve whilst simultaneously and synchronously playing them audio delivered through headphones. As audio we recorded from around Aberystwyth town centre met with walking in the woodland the piece generated a unique response. Our intention was to treat the woods as a space of potential future urban development the layering of urban sounds with natural visuals created a ghost of the future effect and helped to highlight our sensory perceptions of space.



Place, Space & Landscape - The Journey

This sound effect was recorded from extending the seating units used for the staging of Machinal. This effect proved vital in transitional scenes and this final cut was made of several smaller samples collated in the Logic software.

Machinal - Seat Unit Extention

This was my first attempt at collating the recordings I had made with a flash microphone. This clip contains full recordings of three of the locations I visited. Once I had tested this in the space it became apparent that in order to make best use of the varied locations I had recorded and maintain audience interest I would need to edit clips together. 

I have included the script I wrote below I wanted the spoken words to have an innate rhythm much like my original source material 'I am Sitting In a Room' by Alvin Lucier. The intention behind this was that the listener would begin to loose focus on the words themselves instead identifying with rhythm and the spaces in-between. 

I am in a space, different from the one you are in now.                           
I am recording the sound of my speaking voice.                               
So that you might detect, through the re-production of this sound.       
An impression of the space I am in now. 

Sound travels as vibrations, through a surrounding medium.
This medium will be a gas liquid or solid. 
The change in pressure of the medium, between spaces. 
Dictates the delivery of sound through time. 

Soundscapes are environments comprised of multiple sound sources.
These may occur naturally or artificially. 
Reflection of a sound source from surrounding topography.
Affords us an abstract measurement of space. 

Experience of space occurs through all the senses of your body. 
By removing interpretation through sight.
You are able to focus on the resonant frequencies of a space. 
And it's associated environmental sounds. 

Advanced Scenography - Inner Sound. Outer Space. (1st edit)

This final edit was much improved and contained far more spaces whilst also keeping the duration of the piece down to under 5 minutes. I also created a more natural fade to conclude the sound and allow the listener to gradually return to the ambient of the space in which they where.

Advanced Scenography - Inner Sound. Outer Space. (Final edit)

This soundcloud page contains work I have undertaken during my time at Aberystwyth university studying Drama & Theatre Studies. 
The audio samples are from projects I have been associated with and form a stream that corresponds to my work in theatre sound design over the last 3 years. 

bptheatredesign