For my final project in MMS 172, I mainly plan to create a narrative storytelling audio. I also plan to include not just the voice narration, but also background music, ambient sound, and sound effects to give the storytelling an immersive experience for the audience. However, at this stage, I have not yet chosen a specific book, but I plan to use a short public domain children’s story or a Filipino alamat.
At the moment, I'll be using my phone and the built-in mic on my earphones as my recording equipment, since I don't have access to quality mics. For mixing and editing the sounds, I'll be using the BandLab app.
For the production area, I'll be recording everything at our house, specifically in our living room, since it's the largest area in our house. Since I don't have a recording or production room with soundproof walls, I'll make sure that the living area is as quiet as possible, recording whenever there are no people in the area, or better, in the house. I have to shut off all the electric fans, the television, and any other electronic devices that can cause noise.
Since the only main equipment and tools I'll be using are my phone, earphones, and the BandLab app, the signal flow will be quite simple.
For recording my voice:
Voice > Earphone microphone > Phone input > Bandlab App > Saved Voice Track > Mixing and Editing
For background music, sound effects, and ambience sounds:
Downloaded Audio > Phone Storage > Bandlab App > Mixing and Editing
Since I don't have a solid and fixed schedule for this project yet, I'll be working on this project in stages based on each task's completion.
Script and book selection:
Choose a short story or a folk tale
Create a concise script
Voice Recording:
Record using my phone
Review if needed
Sound Collection:
Download all the necessary background music, sound effects, and ambience sounds.
Editing and Mixing:
Using BandLab to edit and mix all recorded and downloaded sounds
Final Review :
Review by listening to the full audio
Adjust final tweaks if necessary
What I have might not be a perfect setup, but it's never a reason to give up. It's not like it's a difficult task to pull, because I did have some experience in recording my voice and editing it for a podcast or for a vlog. Although this task shouldn't be underestimated, and must be done carefully. Narrative storytelling isn't just about recording a voice while reading a book; it also involves certain key aspects that add life and attention to detail.