Creating a sound for media product: Legal and ethical issues

When producing a track hsing samples for certain parts. One needs to make sure that they have permission from the creators of the sound packs to use them. If the sound packs are bought by a a music producer wishing to use them, the in effect get permission to use the samples.
The track doesn't infringe any copyright roles as the samples have been modified during the production of the track. Should that not have happened this could've been a possible legal issue and tha track could then be subject to copyright infringement claims.

Creating a sound for media product: Risk assessments and relevant solutions

For our task before producing the track we had to look as a team at various rksks and identify possible solutions:

Risk assessments

 

Relevant risks

Cables are a possible hazard: This can be prevented by making sure that cables are safely put away after being used. Also put trailing cables behind the equipment to prevent possible tripping hazard.

Mike stands not set up properly could be dangerous: If not in use make sure that the mike stands are put away correctly. If being used insure that all the screws are properly tightened.

Volume levels could be set too high and could damage one’s hearing: Insure that volume is set to 0DB and the master volume control is set to 12 o’clock. Before connecting devices make sure that the audio console is muted.

Possible feedback from the monitors could also damage hearing: Make sure that gain levels and channel mute switches are properly used…

Possibility of electric shocks from incorrect cable configuration: Make sure that cables are connected properly, and make sure that phantom power is only turned on for equipment that needs it.

 

Creating a sound for media product: Resources used

Media product plan

 

Our product is an electro house track with simplistic vocals.

 

Resources used:

 

• Audio console
• Mac book pro with GarageBand
• Studio monitors
• Vocal microphone
• Computer with Soundforge audio editing software
• Various loops and sample packs
• Various software synthesisers
• MAudio key station 49MK2 midi controller

 

Creating a sound for media product: Recording and production schedule

This is the recording and production schedule for the track we produces:

Creating sound for media product: Recording and production schedule

 

Session 1: Monday 16^th June 2014

Looking at different genres of music and deciding on the genre of the media product to create.

Using samples, creating the intro drums for the track.

 

Session 2: Friday 20^th June 2014

Continue working on the intro drums and start to work on the breakdown for the track.

 

Session 3: Monday 23^rd June 2014

Continue to work on the breakdown of the track using various samples, create the buildup and paste in the drums for the drop. Also, think of and record vocals for the track. Another task is to think and record various sound effects and apply different effects to the recordings.

 

Session 4: Wednesday 25^th June 2014 1/3

Apply different effects to the vocals recorded in the previous session and mix them in with the track.

 

2/3

Draft ideas for the melody for the drop and an background leads if applicable.

 

3/3

Apply the recorded melody into the drums in the drop and record and apply the leads into the breakdown of the track. Then, add effects to the ending of the track, reference the track on speakers and headphones, and make any necessary corrections to the audio file.

 

Session 4: Thursday 26^th June 2014

Export separate elements for the track as evidence.

 

 

Creating a sound for media product: Yesterday's recording sessions

After the first recording sessions we had two more sessions.
In the first session were looking at the drop for the track. We were looking at different melodies that we could use and if they fit the remainder of the track. We were using GarageBand again to make and try out different melodies
Towards the end of the session we decided on a melody to use, and managed to also record it. All that was left for the next session, was to mix it in with the rest of the track, also to paste in the samples once again which made the second part of the track, including the breakdown, buildup, vocals and the drop. Also then to add effects to the ending, and and reference the track on speakers and headphones and make any necessary corrections. That was what we've done in the second session we had yesterday, after repasting all the samples and mixing the drop melody into the track we also considered the ending of the track and decided not to add an extended ending but end the track when the drop finishes, with a down sweep sample. Aftwrwards we referenced the track using some Logitec speakers and then using headphones and decided that everything sounds as good as we wanted it to. Then our project was finished, and here's a link to a teaser of the track:
https://soundcloud.com/jbasicuk/dj-subsonix-jbasic-track-teaser

Creating a sound for media product: Recording Session 25th June 2014

In today's recording session, the task was to put effects on the vocals we recorded for our track in the last session, and to then add the vocals to the track itself.
To apply the effects to the vocals we used Garageband Apple's music production software. We used the same software to mix in the vocals with the track.

Creating a sound for media product: Recording Session Monday 23rd June 2014

Yesterday's recording session was very productive. We once again used the MacBook Pro with GarrageBand to produce more of the track together with a set of monitoring studio speakers.
In yesterday's session we took care of a few sections of the track. First, we started to work on the buildup for the track, this included various elements and a frequent use of samples. After producing the Buildup we started to think of another sound element we had to include in our sound for media product. Dialog, we had to record some dialog which we could use for our track. As we were producing an electro house track, vocals aren't something that's often featured within tracks from this genre. However in the end we came up with a basic vocal idea. The vocals weren't too wordy and would be looped during the Buildup. After both of us recording the vocals which required a few takes we had the dialog recorded.
The next task were sound effects. Again, sound effects wasn't something that features in an electro house track. So we had to think carefully about recording them. In the end we decided to demonstrate the ability to record sound effects and record something asn an example and see if it can be used for the track. I recorded a sound of trafic lights and with the Voice Plus recording app created 2 versions of the sound using two different effects. However, in the end we decided to not use them for the final track.
The next task for the session is to put effects on the vocals.

Creating a sound for media product: Friday's Recording Session

Last Friday as a team we continued working on our sound for media product, which is a music track. In the last session we continued to work on finishing the intro drums for the track.
We used studio monitoring speakers to hear the quality of our product while we  produce it. We also used Garrageband on a Mac book Pro to produce the drums.
At the end of the session we had the intro drums ready.
The link for the drums is below, you can download them and have a listen.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fk7h0nc5sjo6zln/EP%20Intro%20Drums.mp3

BBC Radio's Regulatory Bodies

The next task for my media institution case study, I had to research regulatory bodies of the chosen media institution.

BBC’s Regulatory bodies

 

BBC Trust

Led by the chairman the BBC trust is made up of 12 trustees with a wide range of experience.

There are 4 national trustees who represent England, Scotland, Whales and Northern Ireland. There is also an international trustee who has specific oversight of BBC’s international public services.

, including BBC World Service.All trustees are appointed  by the queen on advice from the ministers after an open selection process. The trust is the sovereign body within the BBC. It is independent from the BBC’s executive board which is led by the director general.

The trust unit supports trustees by giving independent expert advice and administrative support.

 

 

 

BBC Radio's Music And Ethics

For another part of my media case study work, we had to look at the ethics within the chosen media institution and how do media institutions deal with ethic and content related issues.

BBC’s Playlist management

 

How does BBC modify songs in order to play them?

The music team at the BBC takes different songs and takes out the strong language and sometimes some phrases that could be considered offensive.

However some songs that are still played on the BBC radio stations could still be offensive to people no matter how good the BBC’s editing is.

There are certain songs that contain an overall negative message and no matter how well BBC radio will edit them, if the overall message is offensive the song shouldn’t be played. Yet there are examples of songs that were still played.

Flo Rida’s “Whistle” was a huge hit in 2012, the song contains lots of sexual content apparently made radio friendly, however, the overall message still comes through clearly despite BBC Radio 1’s editing. The song was still played all over the station on daytime radio.

 

In contrast, Radio 1 used to be more careful about the music they played. When Prodigy’s Smack My B**ch Up was released, radio one refused to play it. The phrase that was offensive in the track was “Change my pitch up smack my bi**h up” this song was only played on night time radio.

Lots of women protested against the Prodigy track being played on radio at all do to the offensive lyrics of the song.

This leaves a few questions regarding BBC Radio’s editing and music preferences. It looks like in the olden days radio 1 was more strict on the music they play, however now more music which in the olden days would be unacceptable is played on daytime radio. This also leaves the question why Radio 1’s editing and playlist choices are much more loose in case of offensive phrases and the overall messages in the track.

 

Another case that leaves a few questions regarding radio 1’s music editing is the death of the first female prime minister in 2013 Margaret Thatcher.

After her death last year, people decided to create a campaign trying  to get the song “Ding Dong (The Witch Is Dead)” to number one in the Official UK Chart.

BBC Radio 1 Controller Ben Cooper decided to not play the song on the chart show due to the offensive lyrics and the context in which this song was related to Margaret Thatcher’s death.

This case once again leaves questions regarding radio 1’s editing. From looking at the news articles it seems normal to ban a song like that due to the situation regarding Margaret Thatcher. Considering the fact also that The BBC is funded by the government, it’s only right to not play the track on the chart show. But does it make the BBC sound like they are heading towards more of the right wing side of the government?

However, on the other hand this decision could’ve also been just an act of respect to the former prime minister.

In conclusion, despite Radio 1 taking actions which sound reasonable, looking at the case in more detail it’s possible that BBC was in fact taking sides with the right wing.

However, these are just speculations, Ben Cooper’s decision also could’ve been an act of respect towards the former prime minister.

 

 

Distribution and advertising methods of media products + Finding Audience

For the media institution case study, the next task was to write about different distribution and advertising methods of media products, and how do media products find their audience.

Distribution and advertising Methods for Media Products

 

Distribution methods

There are many different ways that a media institution can distribute their media products. It all depends to the media institution and the products they sell as there are various distribution methods for different types of media products.

 

BBC Radio’s Product Distribution

BBC Radio provides many media products, radio shows, podcasts/free downloads, online video and audio content and much more. The main way that BBC Radio distributes it’s main products is of course on live radio delivering great different radio shows.

Another way of media product distribution that BBC Radio uses is the internet, for not only live radio but on demand content, videos, social network and much, much more.

 

Advertising Methods

Various media institutions have various ways of advertising their products. Some media institutions advertise their products on TV, this advertising method is of course most popular and used with TV channel providers like the BBC or ITV.

Other media institutions also advertise their products on radio, that includes radio stations, TV networks and of course record labels advertising their media products on music radio stations.

Another very popular way in this day and age is advertising media institutions and their media products is social networking sites. Services like Facebook and twitter allow media institutions to advertise their products and services to millions of users online. The institutions like BBC Radio post links to their on demand content, YouTube videos or live internet radio on social networking sites and that is how they get many listeners due to that many people now use internet for most of their entertainment available, either on smart phones or computers.

 

Media Products Finding Target Audience

There are many ways which media institutions use to find target audience for their different media products. Various institutions have various ways of promoting their products, however, may institutions use social networking services to promote their content. Since social network is so popular right now it seems like the best place for media institutions to promote their media product to various audiences.

BBC Radio stations use social network frequently to promote their various content. They use sites like Twitter and Facebook to promote their content and to get the audience involved in the different shows.

Scott Mills show features popular with the audience and what influences the audience to get involved with the show

Continuing my media product of a chosen media institution case study, the next aspect of the task was to look at the different features of the Scott Mills show that are popular with the audience, and what influences the audience involvement with the show.

Aspects of the show popular with target audience

There are many different features of the show that are very popular with the show’s audience. Because of the entertainment that the features provide and the amount of audience interaction that the features have.

One of the very popular features on the show is “Innuendo Bingo” This feature has been on the show for over 3 years and has developed ever since. The feature requires lots of audience interaction in order to continue. The feature has been so popular that it’s been done more frequently on the show, and even celebrities are getting involved in the show more often.

What really influences the audience’s involvement with the show is how often the show encourages the audience to get involved with the show and it’s many different features apart from just texting the show to get a shout out the show encourages the listeners to contribute to the various features of the show.

How does the Scott Mills Show find it's target audience

For the next part of my analysing audiences unit of my media course, I had to look at how does the Scott Mills show, the product of my chosen media institution BBC Radio what I'm analysing finds it's target audience.

Finding Audience

The show itself finds it’s target audience by the show marketing team promoting the show on social networking sites. These are used by lots of people within Radio 1’s age range so there’s a good chance that the users are seeing the posts from the show’s Facebook page. Also people who follow Radio 1 but not necessary the Scott Mills show also see the promotions for the show.

The Scott Mills show also films their famous well known Innuendo Bingo feature which is uploaded on the station’s Youtube channel. Because Youtube is used by many young people, the show could also get more listeners that way.

The show also has it’s own unofficial fan page, and also has a podcast. The show’s many online accounts find Scott Mills the target audience that his show aims for.

BBC Radio Media Product target audience

Target Audience

The target audience for the Scott Mills show is young people aged between 15-29. Which is the general age range of Radio 1’s target audience.  

 

Gender

The show is aimed at both genders, it shows this by representing both genders equaly in case of guests and audience participation. However in case of the presenters the show’s gender representation is not as equal as it used to be since the female co-host has left the show in early 2013. However, the show still aims to over all show that the show is aimed at both genders.

Analysing a media product From BBC Radio

As a part of our media institution case study we had to analyse a media product of our chosen media organisation. I chose the Scott Mills Show on BBC Radio 1.

BBC Radio Media Product Analysis

 

Scott Mills Show

 

The Scott Mills show is broadcast on radio 1 every weekday between 1 and 4pm. It’s an entertainment and music show.

 

Form and style

The structure of the show is a mix of music and talk, news and various entertaining features. This is a typical music and entertainment show for young people as if features current music and celebrities that young people have an interest in.

 

Content

The show contains a mix of talk, music and entertainment. Apart from links the show feature interviews with various celebrities, also the show features lots of entertaining talk between the two DJs hosting the show.

In the show there also are some entertaining games which celebrities and other radio 1 DJs take part in like Real Or No Real or Innuendo Bingo.

The show also contains a various mix of current and upcoming music from very popular top charting artists to sometimes unsigned or upcoming artists supported by BBC introducing. 

 

Meaning

The show aims to entertain it’s audience with new music and lots of entertaining features. That’s the meaning of the show.

 

Production Process

The show is 3 hours of live radio with certain days involving live video streaming of celebrity interviews or the ever entertaining famous feature of the show Innuendo Bingo.

 

 

Creating a sound for media product: Yesterday's recording sessions

For our next task, we have to produce a media product which includes the 4 sound elements that were previously analysed. Sound effects, atmospheric sounds, music and dialog.
The production work started yesterday. As working within a team there was lots of ideas to consider. The first session yesterday was all about looking at possible genres of a track that we can produce. We decided to produce a track for our coursework, therefore  we had to look at the genres that we as a team would like to produce. This involved lots of consideration since each genre has also sub genres, so we had to listen and decide what we wanted out of our media product and if we would be able to produce a high quality product for a ganre. At the end of that session we have decided to produce an electro house track.
In the second session, it was time to start the producing of the media product. In the session the first task was to put together the drums for the track. This included looking at many different samples on the system and choosing the best sounding sample for the project we were making. After choosing the kick drum the procedure was repeted for the high hats and the ride and then the clap samples. Then, we had the intro drums, and that was what we did in the first 2 sessions for creating the media product.

Researching sound elements

As another task for my media course. I had to research how different sound elements are made, what equipment they require, what techniques etc.

Task 2: Sound elements

 

 

Sound effects

Sound effects can be made in a few ways.

They can be recorded using a voice recorder and a contact microphone when recording most sound effects.  Also after recording basic sound affects they can be improved with audio editing software to make them sound better if needed. However, a contact microphone is one of the ways to produce sound effects.

However, in some cases sound effects can b made using stereo  microphones.

 

Post Production

Also after recording the sound effects, using appropriate microphones, you can export them from your recorder onto your computer, and put some additional effects on the recordings using audio editing software like audacity or Soundforge to make them sound more high quality and for the sound effects to sound professional for the final product.

Some of the effects that can be applied can be Equalisation, gate, normalisation etc.

 

Atmospheric Sounds:

Atmospheric sounds are used to give a listener a realistic impression of where a story is set.

There are a few ways to record atmospheric sound effects.

You can use stereo microphones to record them. In order to insure high quality of the recordings, you can either buy a high quality microphone, or after recording sound effects put them through post production procedures.

You can also use external recorders. Like the Zoom H1 recorder which has stereo microphones. This device also allows you to record in multiple audio formats if you wish to use this option.

 

Post Production:

After the recordings are saved, they can be put through post production procedures to insure that they are the right quality towards the final product. The same audio software mentioned above can be used to modify atmospheric sound effects. Atmospheric sound effects require more advanced and detailed editing in order to insure the high quality of the audio file. So extreme attention to details is needed when using equalisation and normalisation + resampling if required.

 

Music:

Music production is an area that uses most various types of production equipment. To record a music product, either a theme tune, film music or a song, there’s many software and devices that you can use to record a music product.

 

Software

For producing the instrumental track, you can use Garageband, this only one of many music production programmes which allows you to produce music on Apple devices. Another software well known for music production is Logic.

These types of software allow you to compute your own music with a wide range of instruments available, with more kits you can buy and download. You can then also mix down your final product into a song adding effects to the different stems of the track. You can use the same software to record vocals if needed.

 

Music Production Equipment

However, with software also comes equipment, and there’s a wide range of music production equipment available to you. Middy controllers are very popular in this industry. Allowing you to compose music using a controller that is basically a musical keyboard. The controllers vary in the amount of keys and options available, however, they do because of that of course vary in price. These controllers also allow you to add effects into the stems of the track instead of using the computer keyboard. The controllers allow you to add the effects with more precision with the various controls.

 

Dialog:

Recording dialog can be used in many different media productions. Voiceovers for jingles, vocals for a track, commentary on something and much, much more.

 

 

 

 

Recording Equipment

When recording dialog there are a few things to consider regarding recording equipment. Depending to what type of dialog you are recording, you will have to pick the correct microphone. For recording interviews, you will need a by-directional microphones which will record the front and the back of the microphone. For Voiceovers you will need an Omni-directional microphone, which records only the front of the microphone, this will then be recording only your voice.

 

Post Production

Then of course comes the post production for Voiceovers. At this stage you can do the necessary corrections like cutting out silences, sometimes if needed cut out some spoken parts, putting music and jingles when appropriate and then normalising the Voiceover recording if required. All this is done using audio editing software like Audacity Soundforge or Wavepad.

Sound for media analysis

For my next coursework I had to choose a music product, a film soundtrack and a TV show, and anal

Sound for media analysis

 

Music: Porter Robinson – Sad Machine

The track starts with vocoded vocals which aim to replicate a sad sounding voice in order to fit the title of the track.

This short vocal sample at the start tells it’s listeners that this track has a really important message to it and that it has an important meaning to the artist.

Then the track goes into a melody with a synth emotionally sounding piece which does indicate also the sad emotion featured in the vocals and the title of the track. The synth continues with drums coming in which indicate the buildup of the track.

The track has a very emotional chorus with the synth and the drums making the track into a very emotional piece, which showcases the secret meaning the track had for the artist and how important it was for the artist to reflect their feelings in the track so that the listeners could also empethise with the artist’s feelings at the time.

Apart from the vocoded vocals featured in the track, the track also features more powerfully sounding vocals as the part of the buildup to the chorus, which despite sounding powerfull do seeme to still retain the sad emotional feeling of the over all track.

 

Film: Darf Vader theme tune

The musical piece begins with drums and trumpets. The drums indicate a war sounding like track, together with the trumpets the track brings a dramatic and evil sound for the listener and makes them think that something evil is about to take place in the film The marching like drums are a feature of the majority of the piece together with the trumpets.

The piece breaks down in the middle taking away the drums and the drumpets and replacing them with a more of a classical music piece which in some way removes the evil aspect of the piece and replaces it with a magical like sounding track. Which indicates that there’s something magical or unusual about the next scene or character which is represented by the piece.

The whole soundtrack aims to build tention for the viewers and a sence of excitement about what will come next in the film. Also aims to bring out a sence of fear.

 

TV Show: Eastenders

Eastenders always starts with usual signature of drums to tell the viewers that the show is starting. The drums aim to build up excitement of the viewers and also to tell them what show is starting since the drums are a classic signature of the soap opera and has been since it started. The show also ends with the drums most of the time. The end usually ends on a shocking scene and the drums indicate the at the time dramatic atmosphere and the fact that the show is ending and that viewers will have to tune in to the next episode to find out how the story developes. But the drums help to build that tention and excitement for the next episode.

Eastenders also have a which they use sometimes when a storyline has a very emotional, usually sad ending. This brings out the emotion of the scene and the characters involved, and also brings out the same emotion in the viewers. This piece at these times replaces the usual theme tune.

Eastenders don’t use music in the main show, they do use background music to replicate the situation the characters are in. But to make the show realistic they try not to use any other music to represent the mood of the story.

 

Comparing the two roles

Video mixer and audio mixer are 2 very important role when it comes to a web TV production. Even though both ro,roles are separate areas, they are linked in with each other. Both the audio and video mixers need to communicate with each other to make sure that the recording starts correctly without any mistakes.
Both roles ARE KEY ROLES WITHIN THE FINAL PRODUCT.