In week 4, we further explored spectral sounds using a software called Spear. we uploaded audio to it, and it would show us the frequencies that made up the sound. The darker frequencies shown were louder or more prominent, the fundamentals, and the lighter/softer frequencies were often just harmonic noise created within the recording of the track. one example we were shown was the sound of a bell, where we would find the key frequencies from that sound and then recreate those pitches across an orchestra. This created an interesting dissonance, as while they were ‘out of tune’ it still sounded somewhat natural yet ominous. I want to incorporate this into my compositions as soon as I can greater understand and comprehend microtonality. I however stayed mostly within the software, rearranging frequencies and manipulating them to create new strange effects that would be right at home in a horror movie or sci-fi.
This was certain frequencies taken specifically from the room mic recording of a track me and a friend worked on. It’s a very rhythmic metal track, hence the pulse heard starting around 7 seconds. I found this technique really fascinating and want to incorporate it into my compositions more, as it reminded me somewhat of David Lynch.
We also had a visitor come in and show us her composition for a short film she did the sound for. The use of Scottish harp, cello and harmonic/phrygian dominant adjacent scales throughout was very effective, and added to the eastern european setting and upsetting and unsettling tone.
lady cello score
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