(sonicArts) negative space multi-track project

negative space multi-track project

due: 10/9 (at the start of class)

Wikipedia defines negative space “as the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. Negative space may be most evident when the space around a subject, and not the subject itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape, and such space is occasionally used to artistic effect as the “real” subject of an image. The use of negative space is a key element of artistic composition.”

project description

Create a one minute project comprised entirely of background noise and other sounds not intended as forground material, modeled on the piece “Silences Normalized from the Complete Organ Works of Olivier Messiaen (part 1), by Christopher DeLaurenti at http://soundcloud.com/delaurenti/silences-normalized , or sample pieces from the SEAMUS Negative Space project.

You will use Logic Pro X and its multi-track mixing capabilities to combine negative space sounds from your soundwalk, other sound sources that you can find online, “silences” from recordings, or other non-foreground material. Your project should not be gestural in nature. The final project should not be any one file, or mostly one file, but rather a construction of many files melded into a single abstract negative-sound mass.

This is a small project designed to introduce the concepts of multi-track mixing in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) – specifically, Logic Pro X. You will be graded on your faithfulness to the spirit of the project, using background sounds without substantial audio events as the basis of your composition. Your project may avoid major contrasts through cross-fading of files, or you may exploit the differences in noise to create more sudden changes. Your project must make use of mix automation (volume level and panning), and the shortening/creation of clips from your source files.

turn-in procedure

Turn in your entire Logic Pro X project folder (compressed/zipped), containing all the required sub-parts of your project (and sub-folders of the project). You will also include in your Logic Pro X folder a “bounced” mix down of your project as a single stereo audio file, and a folder that contains your original audio file sources. Your project should use a 44.1 kHz sampling rate and 24-bit resolution. Name your project folder with your last name and negative space: for example, kothmannegativespace. You should title your work, and use that title as the name of your final mixed file. You can turn in your zip file either by uploading it and sending me a link, or by bringing it in on a flash drive to class.

grading criteria:

• Following the turn-in procedure (10 pts)
• Using multiple background negative space files(10)
• Use of mix automation (volume and panning) (10)
• Use of good editing techniques/avoidance of clicks, distortion, etc. (10)
• Creativity (10)