Spatial Audio Design/Task 1/Exercise
22/9/2025-20/10/2025(Week1-Week4)
Cai Zihan / 0378043
Spatial Audio Design / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylor's University
TASK 1/Exercise
TABLE OF CONTENT
INSTRUCTIONS
LECTURES
TASK 1
FEEDBACK
REFLECTION
INSTRUCTIONS
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LECTURES
Week 2 / Sound Fundamentals and EQ
Nature of Sound
Sound is the vibration of air molecules. When an object vibrates, it causes pressure changes in the surrounding air.
The Three Major Stages of Sound：
Production: The source of sound, such as musical instruments, vocal cords, or objects colliding.
Propagation: The medium through which sound travels, such as air, water, or solids.
Perception: The human ear receives vibrations and converts them into neural signals, which the brain interprets as distinct sounds.
Human Ear
Outer Ear: The externally visible portion and ear canal, used to collect sound.
Middle Ear: Includes the eardrum and three small bones (malleus, incus, stapes), which convert sound waves into mechanical vibrations.
Inner Ear: Includes the cochlea and semicircular canals, responsible for converting vibrational signals into electrical signals transmitted to the brain.
Properties of Sound Waves
Wavelength: The distance between two points of equal phase, representing the length of one complete wave cycle.
Amplitude: The “height” or energy level of a wave, determining sound loudness (Volume). Greater amplitude produces louder sound.
Frequency: The number of wave cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Higher frequency produces higher pitch.
Properties of Sound
1.Pitch：
- Directly related to vibration frequency.
- High frequency = high pitch; low frequency = low pitch.
- Unit: Hertz (Hz).
2.Loudness：Determined by the amplitude of sound waves; greater amplitude results in louder perception.
3.Timbre：Different sound sources (e.g., piano vs. guitar) produce distinct timbres even at the same pitch, determined by their harmonic structure.
4.Perceived Duration：Refers to human perception of a sound's length.
5.Envelope：The attack, sustain, and decay processes of a sound constitute its dynamic characteristics.
6.Spatialization：The sense of a sound's position and direction in space determines its three-dimensionality and immersiveness.
Week 3 / Sound Design Tools
Core Tools and Features：
Layering
-Overlapping and blending multiple sounds to create richer, more layered, and higher-quality audio.
-This technique enables the creation of unique new sounds and is a common practice in professional sound design.
Time Stretching
-Alter the playback speed of audio without changing its pitch.
-This can be used to adjust tempo or match video duration, but excessive stretching may cause distortion.
Pitch Shifting
-Alter the pitch without changing the sound's duration.
-Raising the pitch → thinner sound, suitable for smaller subjects; lowering the pitch → deeper, richer sound, suitable for larger subjects.
The vocal characteristics should align with the visual attributes of the subject.
Reversing
-Playing audio backward creates strange or surreal effects.
-Layering with other sounds adds interest.
Mouth It
-When no suitable sound effects are available, record your own voice.
-Then edit it using the tools mentioned above to achieve the desired effect.
Sound Design Philosophy
Sound design is a process of exploration and experimentation, where the best results often emerge from creative attempts.
Sound effects are among the most powerful tools for storytelling, enhancing immersion and dramatic tension.
Criteria for judgment: If adding sound effects improves the video's impact, it indicates the right amount of sound design.
Enhancement and Simplification Techniques
Systematically store and organize your sound effects library.
Use “constant power” for smooth fades.
Creative use of sound effects: They don't always need to perfectly match real objects.
Avoid repeating the same sound effect; use variations instead.
Keep volume levels between 60–70% during editing to ensure all sounds remain clearly audible.
Week 1：The professor explained this semester's MIB course to us, using case studies to help us better understand the subject. Next, the teacher asked us to purchase microphones and headphones online for use in subsequent classes.
Week 2：
Our task is to edit these tracks to match the original audio. Of course, we have the original audio to compare them against.
FINAL Exercise 1 Submissions
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| Fig. 3.1. Track 'eq-1' (2/10/2025) |
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| Fig. 3.2. Track 'eq-2' (2/10/2025) |
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| Fig. 3.3. Track 'eq-3' (2/10/2025) |
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| Fig. 3.4. Track 'eq-4' (2/10/2025) |
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| Fig. 3.5. Track 'eq-5' (2/10/2025) |
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| Fig. 3.6. Track 'eq-6' (2/10/2025) |
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| Fig. 3.7. Track 'filter-1' (2/10/2025) |
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| Fig. 3.7. Track 'filter-1' (2/10/2025) |
Exercise 2 (Week 3)
Fig 4.1 Telephone
Fig 4.2 In the Closet
Fig 4.3 Walkie Talkie
Fig 4.4 Bathroom
Fig 4.5 Indoor Stadium
Fig 4.6 Airport
Exercise 3 (Week 4)
Jetplane Flyby
Fig 5.1 Explosion SFX（14/10/2025，Week 4）
Fig 5.2 Firecracker SFX（14/10/2025，Week 4）
Sound of the person walking past you from left to right
Fig 5.3 person walking（14/10/2025，Week 4）
In the cave
Fig 5.4 person walking in the cave（14/10/2025，Week 4）
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| Fig 5.5（14/10/2025，Week 4） |
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| Fig 5.6（14/10/2025，Week 4） |
FINAL Exercise 4.2 Submissions
Fig 5.7 Image 1 SFX（14/10/2025，Week 4）
Fig 5.8 Image 2 SFX（14/10/2025，Week 4）
Credits:
image 1
https://freesound.org/people/Erokia/sounds/426381/
https://freesound.org/people/szegvari/sounds/559389/
image 2：
https://freesound.org/s/754785/
https://freesound.org/s/167048/
https://freesound.org/people/younoise/sounds/531753/
Exercise 4 (Week 5)
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| Fig 6.1 Variation of punch sound |
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| Fig 6.2 Monster or Alien Voice |
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| Fig 6.3 Deep Rich Explosion |
Fig 6.4 Variation of punch sound
Fig 6.5 Monster or Alien Voice
Fig 6.6 Deep Rich Explosion
REFLECTIONS
Experience
The initial hands-on assignment not only helped me thoroughly review the basic editing and cropping techniques I learned in last year's introductory media course, but also introduced me to more advanced tools I had never explored before.
Observations
Even minor adjustments can significantly alter the characteristics of an audio clip. Simple techniques such as applying equalizer effects or changing pitch can profoundly impact how sound is perceived. Modifying the equalizer not only changes the timbre of the audio but also alters the listener's perception of its source or position.
Findings
Through this audio course, I learned how different editing techniques can alter the emotional tone and texture of sound. By experimenting with tools like equalizers (EQ), reverb, and pitch shifting, I discovered that subtle adjustments can make a sound feel closer or farther away, warmer or sharper. The in-class exercises helped me understand that these effects aren't merely technical operations—they're creative tools that shape how listeners perceive space and emotion.
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