Process? What process? Just kidding...
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To start this walkthrough, here's a recap of what has happened for the plan:
Assignment 2
Since Assignment 2, the plan and layout have technically changed a bit. I say "technically" because I added a few more details to clarify the plan and ensure I’m headed in the right direction. For comparison, I added a calendar, a backup plan, and more planning—though I’ll explain later how it became more of an improvised approach. I also included pictures of the equipment, location, and signal flow. As I mentioned before, I planned on making changes throughout the process of completing the final project, and I followed through with that idea because I wasn't satisfied with the output that I originally submitted nor did it make any sense. I apologize for the blurry screenshots; I had to zoom out significantly to capture the full pages, which I accessed through the version history.
BEFORE
AFTER
For my final project, I plan to create a 3-5 minute audiobook of my original short story, The Secret Note. I consider myself someone who enjoys reading and watching romantic movies with a touch of mystery, which aligns with the genre of my short story. If the ending comes across as predictable, I apologize in advance. My narration will blend a 1st-person perspective from the main character with a 3rd-person perspective as the overall narrator. I intend to incorporate background sounds rather than music, enhancing the listening experience. I hope to successfully condense the story to fit within the 3-5 minute timeframe while retaining the essential details, as my last reading took about 10 minutes rather than 5.
If, for any reason, my short story does not work out, my backup plan is to record a cover of Let You Break My Heart Again by Laufey. The piece fits well within my vocal range, and I deeply connect with it personally, so I would enjoy performing it for this final project.
For editing and mixing, I plan to experiment with Audacity, Bandlab, and Adobe Premiere Pro, with the latter as my last resort if the other options do not work out.
The equipment used:
Huawei Y9s
Soundcore R50i
Black Shark Goblin X1 Gaming Headset
Location:
Desktop/Study Area
Note: I closed the doors and windows for better acoustics
For software, I ended up using my last option:
Premiere Pro
Software experimentation didn’t go as well as I had hoped. I wanted to try Audacity, but I was overwhelmed as soon as I opened it. I then tried Bandlab, but while tweaking the settings for my backup recording, I realized it’s better suited for music recordings than audiobooks. Although Bandlab offers free features, they didn’t provide the level of editing freedom I needed to achieve my goals.
In the end, I decided to use Premiere Pro. I didn’t want to burden my parents financially by purchasing Adobe Audition, even though it was the most recommended software for audio editing. According to my research, Premiere Pro is nearly as capable; the main difference is that Audition is more specialized, while Premiere Pro is geared toward general mastering and overall audio quality. So, I figured that Premiere Pro would be sufficient for my needs.
Recording
To decide between my original plan and the backup, I first needed to edit my short story. I re-read it, considering the tone, emotion, how loud or soft my voice should be, and who the imagined target audience would be if I chose to narrate the story from the character’s perspective. I also focused on my choice of words and whether I had done enough editing. Editing, for me, is like an experiment—one that’s both challenging and enjoyable.
For the backup plan, I practiced my voice to ensure I hit the right notes and avoided any cracking during the performance. Unfortunately, I did crack my voice at certain parts during the recording, even in subsequent takes. It got to the point where I cringed listening to it. I was overconfident, thinking I could nail it in one go, but it turned out to be a humbling experience.
For my equipment, I used my phone's recording instead of the headset. I noticed in my Assignment 3 submission that the headset picked up a lot of background noise, which forced me to use a bigger percentage of denoise than I normally would do to clean up the audio. I’m glad I made the switch because the phone's recording had much less background noise. You can’t hear as much of my breathing, sighs, or those moments when I had to catch my breath before saying the next line or sentence.
So, I shifted my focus to my narration. Honestly, I didn’t expect that later that day, I’d end up falling asleep to my own voice in a nap session. Was it a good sign for me? Yes, it was. Because I don't usually fall asleep that easily. Is it boring for me? Nope. But like everything else, it's a humbling experience if someone says otherwise.
Editing
Did I add any effects to my original audio? Yes, I did. I can assure you that the amount of denoise applied was much less than what I used for Assignment 3. I also adjusted the balance because I noticed an uneven distribution in the audio, with one side being louder than the other, like 60-40 or 30-70.
Since I decided not to add background music, sound effects became more essential to the final audio. I felt that these effects would enhance the listener's experience by allowing them to relate more closely to the story. By hearing the sounds, listeners can better imagine what the character is holding or the environment they are surrounded by, making the short audiobook more immersive. I ended up using 23 sound effects to bring this audiobook to life. The more I listened to it, the more I was able to refine the details and add.
Reflection
Reflecting on my journey through this final project, I can say it was both challenging and rewarding. The process of bringing my original short story to life in the form of an audiobook pushed me to explore new skills, from audio recording and editing to incorporating sound effects that would enhance the listener's experience.
Initially, I struggled with choosing between narrating my story and recording a cover song. Each option presented its own set of challenges, but I ultimately decided to focus on my narration. This decision required me to dive deep into editing, where I faced the reality of my limited experience with audio software. Experimenting with different tools like Audacity and Bandlab was overwhelming, and I quickly realized they didn’t meet my needs. In the end, I opted for Premiere Pro, which, while not specialized for audio, provided the flexibility I needed to refine my project.
Throughout this process, I learned the importance of being adaptable. When I noticed issues with background noise in my recordings, I switched from using a headset to my phone’s microphone. This change made a significant difference in the clarity of my audio. I also had to adjust the balance of the sound to ensure an even distribution, which was another learning curve.
One of the most fulfilling parts of this project was selecting and integrating 23 sound effects to create a more immersive experience for the listener. By deciding against background music, I leaned heavily on these effects to convey the environment and actions within the story. This choice allowed me to connect more deeply with my audience, helping them visualize and feel the narrative.
This project was not without its humbling moments. There were times when my confidence wavered, especially when my voice cracked during recordings or when I felt overwhelmed by the technical aspects of audio editing. However, these challenges were invaluable learning experiences that helped me grow.
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