A journey in audio experimentation...

I embarked on an interesting challenge: to record my voice and the ticking of a clock separately using nothing but my trusty Galaxy Note20 Ultra. The goal was to capture these sounds with as little background noise as possible, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience.

I was determined to capture the clearest sound possible, so I ventured on a mission to eliminate all background noise. This meant turning off any potential culprits, like the persistent hum of the exhaust fan, and ensuring that every tick of the clock wouldn’t be a tock in my recording. It’s incredible how many sounds you start to notice when you’re trying to create silence!

I chose the perfect time to record—when the house was empty. The kids were at school, my husband was at work, and even the cats were in on the plan, taking one of their long naps. It was just me, my phone, and the clock.

Now, I haven’t yet gotten around to acquiring a proper microphone and headphones for this course. So, I had to make do with what I had. Despite the lack of professional equipment, I was determined to get a clear recording. I noticed that in the spaciousness of my living room, the clock’s ticking was getting lost, almost as if it was being swallowed by the silence. To counter this, I placed my phone as close to the clock as possible without compromising the sound quality.

But here’s something I didn’t anticipate: the utter silence made me hyper-aware of every little sound I made. I became so conscious of not wanting to swallow too loudly or clear my throat that it took multiple attempts to get a clean recording. There were times when I could hear all those tiny, involuntary noises, which meant starting over again. It was a test of patience and control, trying to keep completely still and quiet, save for the words I was meant to speak.

As I listened to the playback, I couldn’t help but reflect on the experience. There was a rawness to the sound, a certain authenticity that perhaps only this kind of recording could capture.

This journey of recording has been a revelation of sorts. It’s shown me that sometimes, the imperfections and the constraints we face can lead to a result that is uniquely beautiful. It’s a reminder that even in the absence of high-end equipment, our creativity and resourcefulness can shine through.

Reflecting on the whole process, it was a mix of patience and precision. Trying to capture the essence of time ticking away in the background while speaking clearly into the phone’s microphone made me appreciate the subtleties of sound. It was a reminder that sometimes, the simplest tools can yield significant results if used thoughtfully.

This experiment wasn’t just about recording—it was about listening, understanding the space around me, and making the most of what I have. It’s a lesson I’ll carry with me, not just in multimedia but in life as well.

Until next time, 

Merv