Exploring Sound worksheet (U5, LO1: AC 1.

1)

*Remember to use CMD+K to add links to the definition text you put in the boxes below*

You are required to complete the tasks on this sheet and place the content in your Weebly Research section calling it EXPLORING
SOUND. You will be required to answer a series of questions in order to pass. They are in RED on this document. You can answer
these questions using examples from TV, film, animation or gaming but will need to provide links so make sure you can do this
when choosing them!

Wherever you use a quote from any other source, please say where you got it from or it could result in a PLAGIARISM mark
which would automatically fail the unit.

Task 1/6: Diegesis and Non-Diegesis

You are required to give…

 An existing definition of both diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Say where you got them from.
 Rewrite each definition in your own words to show you understand what they mean.
 Provide an example of each of these. This could be a Youtube link (timecoded please!) with a very short description.

Existing Definition with link Your Example(s) with description

Name understandin
g
Sound that originates from within the video or film's world is Diegetic https://youtu.be/sbKL5g5i8MI?
termed diegetic sound. It can come either from on-screen or
off-screen but it always happens at the same time that the sound is a t=16 An example of diegetic sound
action takes place. sound that is is the sirens you can hear in the
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/video/hub/ideas/diegetic caused by real background in this clip. This is
-vs-non-diegetic-sound
world people because this is a sound from the
or objects outside world in this film.
Diegesi
rather than
s
music that
has been
added in the
background
like a
leitmotif.
Sometimes called commentary or non-literal sound, non-diegetic Diegetic https://youtu.be/bxDv_JHSaKY The
sound is any type of sound that does not specifically exist within
the world of the film itself. In other words, it's the type of sound that sound is jaws theme is an example of non-
characters in a film are not able to hear, but that we can. sound that is diegetic sound as it is a sound
added over a which the characters cant hear but
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/video/hub/ideas/what-is-non- film. These we can.
diegetic-sound
Non- are sounds
Diegesi that the
s characters
won’t be able
to hear like
background
music or a
voice over.

Task 2/6: Background Music

You are required to give…

 An existing definition of both soundtrack music and score music. Say where you got them from.
 Rewrite each definition in your own words to show you understand what they mean.
 Provide an example of each of these. This could be a Youtube link (timecoded please!) with a very short description.

Name Existing Definition with link Your understanding Example(s) with description
My understanding of For example, in films such as guardians
A soundtrack is also known as an original a soundtrack is music of the galaxy, the sound track has a lot
soundtrack (OST). Unlike film scores, the that has been added of pre-existing songs that weren’t
soundtrack may feature music that was not
Soundtrack recorded for the film but fits its overall mood and over the top of a film. directly made for the film but they
tone. Soundtracks may also feature vocal The music doesn’t were added over some scenes.
snippets of dialogue from specific moments in
the film. have to be made for https://youtu.be/u3V5KDHRQvk?t=35
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soundtrack
 -vs-score the film.

What Is a Film Score? A film score refers to the
original music that accompanies a film. In most
cases, movie music is written by a film composer
hired for the production. The movie score
heightens the film's emotion, creating an aural
mood for each scene, along with sound effects
Score and dialogue.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soundtrack-
vs-score
My understanding of An example of a score is Darth Vader’s
a score is music that theme in Star Wars. It is played when
has been made for Darth Vader or the dark side appear.
the film and had been This theme plays so much that the
added over the top. audience can get familiar with it
therefore every time it plays, the
audience immediately know who the
film is referring to.
https://youtu.be/pfuZWP4YDW4

Task 3/6: Ambience

You are required to give…

 An existing definition of ambient sound. Say where you got it from.

 Rewrite the definition in your own words to show you understand what it means.
 Provide at least one example of this. It could be a Youtube link (timecoded please!) with a very short description.

Existing Definition with link Your understanding Example(s) with

Name
description
Ambient sound broadly denotes the Ambient sound are 1. One example of
background sounds that are present in a sounds that are ambient sounds is
location. present in the the rainfall you
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/ background of a can hear in the
10.1177/2057047317742171 film but don’t background of
include dialogue. the final scenes in
This includes cars, blade runner.
birds, animals, They did this in
background order to show the
Ambient muttering and audience how
Sound more. heavy and
unsettling the
rain is.
https://youtu.be/
NoAzpa1x7jU?
t=97

2.
3.

Task 4/6: Foley

You are required to give…

 An existing definition of foley sound. Say where you got it from.

 Rewrite the definition in your own words to show you understand what it means.
 Provide at least one example of each this. It could be a YouTube link (timecoded please!) with a very short
description.

Existing Definition with link Your

Name understan
g
Foley
Soun Custom sounds created in post-production are called foley sound effects. Every sound used in movies, TV shows,
 and even some video games like coffee mugs being placed down to jackets being zigged was probably
manufactured specifically for that scene in post-production. The term "Foley sound effects" refers to these
custom sounds.
https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/video/discover/foley-sound-effects.html#:~:text=Foley%20sound
%20effects%20are%20custom,are%20called%20Foley%20sound%20effects.

My understanding:
d
Foley sounds are sounds which have been added over a film, game or tv show in post-production. For example,
they might add noises like footsteps or car engines in order to make the environment feel more realistic.

Example: https://youtu.be/UO3N_PRIgX0?t=134

The sound of a man stepping on a bag of corn was added in post-production in order to create a sound that
sounds like snow. This was done to create more realistic feel to the environment .

Task 5/6: Recording apparatus

You are required to list as many ways as possible that you could personally record sound for your work. Think about
hardware and software, so for example if you want to use your phone, talk about what type it is and as a result what
software or app you may choose. Talk about other methods you may be able to use, perhaps equipment which can be
booked from the college?

Name/type of hardware/software Advantage Disadvantage

Microphones sound better
quality. Most of the
H/ware microphones can take high
Microphones sound pressure levels
1:
Microphones can be expensive and
difficult to get hold of. They are also
sensitive and can pick up small
background noises.

Phones are easily accessible Some phones may not let you record
and everyone may not be able long audio files since they may take
to get hold of a proper up too much storage on the device.
H/ware
Phone microphone. It is also free to
2:
record sounds with a phone so
you don’t have to go out and
buy a microphone
The programme is quite
straightforward and easy to Sometimes new people using this
use. You are less likely to be software may get confused on how
S/ware overwhelmed by using this to use it. It can also sometimes crash
Audacity
1: software. It works with all and have a lot of lag.
significant audio sources and
handles various audio formats
exceptionally well.
It is easy to use and people who It is expensive and people may be
may not have much technical able to access software that is
skills can use it. Their tools cheaper. People may find it to be a
S/ware
Wavepad allow you to edit sounds that hassle to get when they can use
2:
may have been poorly different methods to record sound
recorded. like using their phone or cheaper
software.

Task 6/6: Handling noise and other unwanted sounds (usually WIND)
You are required to give…

 Existing definitions of handling noise, distortion/clipping and gain as they relate to audio recording, microphone use,
etc. Say where you got them from.
 Rewrite the definitions in your own words to show you understand what they mean.

Name Existing Definition with link Exa

ew
 li

Handling noise, a phenomenon not understood well by many,

refers to any undesired noise that comes from a
Handling noise cable or microphone when being moved or handled.
https://service.shure.com/s/article/handling-noise-of-microphones?language=en_US#:~:text=Handling%20%22Handling%20Noise
%22,and%20presents%20some%20possible%20solutions.

Clipping is a form of distortion that results when an amplifier lacks the power to amplify a signal to meet
Distortion/ demand by the speakers. https://blog.teufelaudio.com/clipping-when-your-amplifier-is-no-match-for-
clipping your-speakers/#:~:text=%E2%80%A2%20Clipping%20is%20a%20form,leading%20to%20a%20distorted
%20signal

Gain in audio is a term for the amount of amplification applied to a signal by any process that increases its
strength. It's measured in decibels, or dB for short. A good way to think about gain is as the difference in
Gain
signal strength between the input and the output of an audio system or processor.
https://blog.landr.com/what-is-gain/

Your understanding of cause

My understanding is that handling noise is unwanted noises that happen when a microphone is being handled by
someone. This can include sounds of the microphone being dropped, moved or being shaken when they’re hand held.

Clipping is when the amplifiers have a too high frequency for the speakers therefore there might be a loud rumbling
sound which can damage the speaker. The high and low points of the sound waves are removed since the sound waves
may go higher or lower than what the audio output can take.
Gain is the increase of the input of the sound amplification. How hard you're driving your amp's preamp section depends
on your gain level. No matter how loud the ultimate volume is set, the gain control determines the degree of distortion
in your tone. Too high gain can cause distortion.

Example with link

https://youtu.be/n4FHoi1cs_s?t=466 One example of handling noise is rumbling sound effects in the background. This can be caused
by the movement or the handling of the microphone.
https://youtu.be/eK3cRQwHExc?t=29 This is when the amplifier was turned too high therefore the sound waves either went too high o
too low for the speakers capability.

https://youtu.be/eN2UD0GxhrI?t=127 Gain can be controlled using a dial or it can be changed using software. Gain can be increased or
decreased but if it is too high, it may cause clipping.