A. Figueras - Assignment 3

Developing a rough plan for this assignment was less challenging than I initially anticipated, especially since I was also conceptualizing a draft for my final project. Initially, I intended to complete the bonus activity 3, which involved recording a single track for an additional grade percentage. However, despite extending the deadline for a few days, I had to give priority to my health because I was recovering from gastrointestinal poisoning. Fortunately enough, I feel much better now and ready to resume my academic work.

Returning to my plan, I decided to focus on a poetry reading of my recently written poem, "On the Edge of Goodbye." This aligns with my final project, where I’ll be narrating an original short story. While both pieces share a similar approach to storytelling, they differ in literary style and setting. At first, the details of how I would execute the poetry reading were unclear. However, I recognized the need to push through, especially during this phase of the semester when motivation can wane. Completing this assignment felt like an answered prayer and a significant step forward.

Track 1 - Narrated Recorded Voice

Track 2 - Piano Background Royalty Free

Track 3 - Rain Sound Effects No Copyright

On the Edge of Goodbye

On the precipice, where shadows dance,

I hold on tight, to our fleeting chance.

Love once vibrant, now a fragile thread,

Hanging by whispers, on words unsaid.

A heart that yearns, yet breaks with each beat,

In the twilight of hope, where dreams retreat.

Memories linger, like ghosts in the night,

Haunting my soul, with their tender light.

Your eyes, a universe, where I lost my way,

Now distant stars, in the cold light of day.

Promises whispered, like secrets of old,

Now echo as silence, a story untold.

The edge of this cliff, where love meets despair,

I teeter and tremble, with one final prayer.

To hold on, to let go, the agony’s keen,

A battle within, in spaces unseen.

Yet here I stand, with tears in my eyes,

One inch from falling, from endless goodbyes.

Love’s tender embrace, now slipping away,

As I find the strength to face a new day.

Equipment used: Black Shark Goblin X1 Gaming Headset with Mic

Editing software: Premiere Pro

Looking at the poem, I realize I've probably watched too many heartbreaking movies to have written this. Thankfully, I'm not personally going through anything like this. It was one of those moments where I imagined myself in the shoes of someone heartbroken and wanted to capture what they might feel from their perspective.

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Considering the overall quality of this assignment, I'm pleased with how it turned out. While I like the final product, I believe it could have been improved further if I had access to better software for refining details like sound bumps within the recorded audio—something I still need to explore. Finding the right equipment online has been challenging, especially since I'm currently working within a tight budget.

The headset I used, the Black Shark Goblin X1 Gaming Headset with Mic, was actually a replacement gift from my parents, as my old headset, which served me well for four years, had poor mic quality. I tried to make the most of this new gadget, but I did have to edit the original recorded audio, adding some denoise effects to minimize background noise, such as barking dogs. Adding piano background music plus rainy sound effects was intended to artistically engage and touch the listener emotionally. Therefore, I can present my work as such. The soft sad piano melodies bring out an ambience full of tranquility and stillness thereby reflecting on themes like soul searching or weak points in my poem. Additionally, rain sound generates moods associated with times gone past as well as sadness enhancing an emotional reality of these works in general. Taken together, they are capable of carrying one away within a conception shared between us making him/her sense deeper in connection with emotions expressed through writings in particular.

When I compare this recording to the one I did for Assignment 1 using my Huawei Y9s phone, I notice a difference in audio quality. Surprisingly, I prefer the audio output from my phone over the headset recording for this assignment. It might just be me jumping to conclusions, as both assignments required different tones of voice, and for Assignment 1, I didn't apply any edits to the audio. Despite these considerations, I'm satisfied with my effort and the outcome, even though there’s always room for improvement.

For my Final Project, I will explore my options by recording on both devices and selecting the one that yields the best results. To achieve the level of improvement I'm aiming for, I plan to invest in better equipment. Although I’m currently on a budget, saving for a quality microphone or audio interface could significantly enhance the clarity and richness of my recordings. Additionally, exploring better audio editing software would allow me to refine my recordings more effectively by helping to clean up audio, remove background noise, and fine-tune sound quality.

Creating a more controlled recording environment—perhaps by using soundproofing materials or finding a quieter space—would also reduce background noise and improve overall quality. I intend to focus on practicing voice control, working on modulation, pacing, and clarity to enhance the expressiveness and impact of my recordings. Regular practice will help my voice sound more confident and natural. Furthermore, seeking feedback from peers or instructors could provide valuable insights into areas needing improvement, guiding me in refining my technique and output. Ultimately, I will have to experiment with the microphone placement (as well as other voice exercises) in order to find out what works best for my voice and setup. If I can work on these aspects, then I am sure that it will elevate the quality of my work thus producing better recordings.

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