my goal is to complete a cover of the song “glimpse of us” by Joji with Nyla and me singing, Clinton on piano and mixing, and Me playing bass.
In the end Nyla ended up being the only one singing, Clinton and I mixing, Clinton playing piano, and me on bass. We didn’t finish the song but we plan to continue collaborating after this class ends.
I recorded my voice to find out which microphone made my voice sound the best. In this project I recorded my voice with the help of Mr. Le Duc in front of 7 different popular microphones. I clipped and edited the volumes in Garage band to make the recording sound more even and then exported it into this post.
Microphone Audition Podcast
This is my recording
My favorite microphone specs
My favorite microphone was the C1000S because it made my voice sound the best and cut out my ‘S’ sounds when speaking.
Terms/Concepts
Dynamic Mic. – In a dynamic microphone a thin diaphragm is connected to a coil of wire called a voice coil which is precisely suspended over a powerful magnet.
Condenser Mic. -Instead of using a coil, ribbon microphones use a small strand of very thin 2 microns thick aluminum ribbon.
Omni pattern – Responsive in all directions, sometimes picking up unwanted sound.
Cardioid pattern – Condensers use two charged plates, one fixed and one which can move acting like a diaphragm.
Bi-directional pattern – Most sensitive to sounds coming front the front and the rear. Less sensitive to sounds at the sides.
Transduction – Converting sound energy into an electrical signal or an electrical signal into sound energy.
Voltage – The sensitivity.
Phantom Power – +48v of energy sent down the microphone cable to a condenser microphone from the audio recording or mixing board.
Sensitivity – Output level. Voltage of output signal when exposed to a certain sound level. Can be expressed as decibels below one volt. Most microphone signals are less than one volt so a negative number is used (-50dBV). Higher number means microphone is more sensitive (-30dBV) and a lower number means a less sensitive microphone (-70dBV). This number is meaningless unless you know what sound pressure level (SPL) it was tested with. Most are tested at 94dB/1 Pa.
Frequency Response – The range of sound a microphone can reproduce and how sensitive the mic is at certain distance. Flat response, equally sensitive to all frequencies. Shaped response, more sensitive to some frequency ranges, adds clarity to vocals. When made less sensitive to low frequencies, picks up less background noise. Some microphones let you adjust frequency response.
Transient – An abrupt change in level. Like a cymbal’s crash or a singer’s T’s or CH’s.
Placement – If the sound source (mainly vocals) is farther away (3-4 ft), the voice is still clear but you get more room noise, which may be good if you want reverberation. Move the sound source even further to get more reverberation. About half a foot away from the mic, is the normal place for a vocalist. You get less room noise and the voice sounds even clearer. Picks up subtle changes in the voice. Moving the sound source to right in front of the microphone will increase the bass (proximity effect), as well as giving the voice a more intimate feel. A pop filter will be needed to prevent some words from “popping”. Like the singer’s P’s.
Proximity Effect – The increase in bass when a sound source is moved closer to the microphone.
Output – More sensitive mics have higher voltage than less sensitive mics.
Characteristics – Sensitivity, Frequency Response, Output, Maximum sound pressure level.
Noise Rating – The signal (sound source) to noise ratio measured in decibels (dB). Noise is any sound in the background you don’t want. Electricity vibrates at 60dB so you want the ratio of the signal and noise to be higher than that. Preferably 90dB or higher.
Mic. Clip – Holds the microphone to the stand
Mic. Stand – Holds up the microphone so the speaker doesn’t have to hold it. Height can be adjusted.
Windscreen/Pop Filter – Reduces breathing and wind noises
Direct Box – Connected to the mixer. Balances various outputs an inputs from the microphone and the mixer.
What I learned
In this project I learned how to cut, copy, paste, adjust volume, and export recordings in garage band. Through this project I also learned how to use different microphones through soundtrap.
I took a school of rock class where I learned how to collaborate with others and started learning how to play the bass.
LEADERSHIP ACTIVITY
My ‘Big Project’ was a collaboration with Nyla and Clinton where we made a cover of the song “Glimpse of us” by Joji. Clinton, Nyla and I all worked on separate parts of our collaboration. Nyla on vocals, Clinton on piano, I worked on bass, and Clinton and I worked on mixing together.
Score: 4
CLASSROOM (THEORY & ANALYSIS)
While in this class I learned about how songs are made, what measures, notes, and chords are, and how to make a song. This part of the class was interesting to me because I was never taught anything about music theory before and was never taught how to read sheet music but this class helped me start to understand more about music and how it works.
Score: 5
LAB (THEORY PRACTICED)
In this room I learned about how to use Hook theory, this was completely new to me but it was easy to figure out especially with the videos. I learned about chord progressions and more about music theory through this room.
Score: 3
PRACTICE ROOM (GUITAR LESSONS)
I learned how to play some songs on bass and also learned some good habits for improving both my playing and my motivation to play. This room caught my interest from the beginning because it was the main reason why I wanted to take this class.
Score: 5
OUTSIDE (CREATIVITY & THE BRAIN)
In this room I learned some different things about the music making process, how different artists have different processes, strategies for practicing, and about the brain.
Score: 4
STUDIO (SONGWRITING)
I learned how to use microphones in soundtrap and how to fix the timing on songs.
Score: 3
CONTROL ROOM (RECORDING & MIXING)
I learned how to use soundtrap and hook theory. This room was interesting because I got to learn more about the technology side of making music.
Your score: 4
WHAT I LEARNED and PROBLEMS I SOLVED
In this class I mainly learned about music theory, how to collaborate effectively with others on music, and how to use new platforms for making music. In the past three weeks I enjoyed learning how to play and record bass the most.Towards the end of this class I was able to improve my quality of work and focus better on what I was supposed to be working on. I am proud of learning a few songs on the bass and being able to stick with it throughout the class.
THE COURSE’s ACTIVITY EVALUATION (OVERALL)
Content (The WHAT)
Rating: 3
In the last three weeks I was most interested in learning about music theory and how to play the bass.
The most surprising and satisfying thing I learned in this class was was how to practice better and focus more on the task at hand.
Process (The HOW)
Rating: 3
I like that we had specific times to work on different things because it helped to keep me on task.
I didn’t like the amount of time we had in each room because sometimes it felt like I didn’t have enough time to complete a task.
If I took the class again I would try my best to get rid of the distractions that stopped me from doing my best n this class.
Write an update about your leadership project progress (TELL)
Delete Mr. Le Duc’s instructions – yes, these instructions – yes the instructions you are reading right now!
PRACTICE ROOM (GUITAR LESSONS)
In the practice room we worked on our plan for or collaboration and chose to do the song glimpse of us. I also updated Trello and added a few new tasks so we can reach our goal of 22. We are currently at 14/22.
During classroom I started recording and worked out who will do which tasks with Nyla and Clinton. Clinton started recording piano and we worked on the audio together. I started learning the bass and the lyrics.
During lab I reviewed what I have learned for our song and made notes for me to memorize and added some new tasks to to trello for our collaboration. I updated trello and added lyrics to memorize to tasks.
During my outside time I thought about what tasks I could add to trello to meet the minimum requirement. I cam up with some ideas and we now have 22/22 tasks.
I spent this time practicing vocals with Nyla on our song. We practiced using our falsettos and reaching the higher notes in the song. At the end of this time we both were able to sing the beginning and chorus of the song.
WHAT I LEARNED and PROBLEMS I SOLVED
Today I mainly worked on collaborating and we solved our problem with feedback while recording.
TODAY’s ACTIVITY EVALUATION
Content (The WHAT)
Rating: OK – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – HIGHLY ENGAGED
Rating: 5
I was most interested in recording today because it was something I have been wanting to do for a while.
Process (The HOW)
Rating: OK – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – HIGHLY ENGAGED
Rating: 4
Today I was pretty engaged with recording and collaborating.
We recorded the vocals for our song and started fixing the timing.
WHAT I LEARNED and PROBLEMS I SOLVED
Tell your daily story here! Highlight what you learned and enjoyed most and at least one problem you solved. Problem-solving is one of the most important skills you need in life. Employers want to know HOW you get stuff done as much as WHAT you got done – AND THEN DELETE THESE WORDS!
Write an update about your leadership project progress (TELL)
Delete Mr. Le Duc’s instructions – yes, these instructions – yes the instructions you are reading right now!
PRACTICE ROOM (GUITAR LESSONS)
In the practice room we worked on our plan for or collaboration and chose to do the song glimpse of us. I also updated Trello and added a few new tasks so we can reach our goal of 22. We are currently at 14/22.
During classroom I started recording and worked out who will do which tasks with Nyla and Clinton. Clinton started recording piano and we worked on the audio together. I started learning the bass and the lyrics.
LAB (THEORY PRACTICED)
Explore the tutorials (but you do not need to watch all of them – just pick what looks interesting to you) from the:
Write a reflection on what you learned – AND THEN DELETE THESE WORDS!
During lab I reviewed what I have learned for our song and made notes for me to memorize and added some new tasks to to trello for our collaboration. I updated trello and added lyrics to memorize to tasks.
OUTSIDE (CREATIVITY & THE BRAIN)
During my outside time I thought about what tasks I could add to trello to meet the minimum requirement. I cam up with some ideas and we now have 22/22 tasks.
I spent this time practicing vocals with Nyla on our song. We practiced using our falsettos and reaching the higher notes in the song. At the end of this time we both were able to sing the beginning and chorus of the song.
WHAT I LEARNED and PROBLEMS I SOLVED
Today I mainly worked on collaborating and we solved our problem with feedback while recording.
TODAY’s ACTIVITY EVALUATION
Content (The WHAT)
Rating: OK – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – HIGHLY ENGAGED
Rating: 5
I was most interested in recording today because it was something I have been wanting to do for a while.
Process (The HOW)
Rating: OK – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – HIGHLY ENGAGED
Rating: 4
Today I was pretty engaged with recording and collaborating.
What I learned was a good way to learn a chord which was to put your fingers on the strings, make corrections, tell yourself that is the correct way to play the chord, and repeat.
From sound trap tutorial 5 I learned that songs like stories, have rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
Soundtrap still isn’t working.
WHAT I LEARNED and PROBLEMS I SOLVED
Tell your daily story here! Highlight what you learned and enjoyed most and at least one problem you solved. Problem-solving is one of the most important skills you need in life. Employers want to know HOW you get stuff done as much as WHAT you got done – AND THEN DELETE THESE WORDS!
TODAY’s ACTIVITY EVALUATION
Content (The WHAT)
Rating: OK – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – HIGHLY ENGAGED
Rating: 4
Today I was interested in the documentary and in collaborating with Nyla and Clinton.
Process (The HOW)
Rating: OK – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – HIGHLY ENGAGED
Rating: 3
The activities that engaged me the most were practicing the bass and collabrating with others. This was engaging to me because
“He is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine, which he co-founded in 1993. He also co-founded the All Species Foundation, a non-profit aimed at cataloging and identifying every living species on earth. In his spare time, he writes bestselling books, co-founded the Rosetta Project, which is building an archive of ALL documented human languages and serves on the board of the Long Now Foundation. As part of the last, he’s investigating how to revive and restore endangered or extinct species, including the Wooly Mammoth.” – From YouTube video description
Go for a walk and think about what this video meant to you.
Embed a YouTube video link or links you watched
Journal here about that. The more detail the better – AND THEN DELETE THESE WORDS!
Write a reflection of the key topics that grabbed your attention – AND THEN DELETE THESE WORDS!
WHAT I LEARNED and PROBLEMS I SOLVED
Tell your daily story here! Highlight what you learned and enjoyed most and at least one problem you solved. Problem-solving is one of the most important skills you need in life. Employers want to know HOW you get stuff done as much as WHAT you got done – AND THEN DELETE THESE WORDS!
Write a reflection of the key topics that grabbed your attention – AND THEN DELETE THESE WORDS!
WHAT I LEARNED and PROBLEMS I SOLVED
Tell your daily story here! Highlight what you learned and enjoyed most and at least one problem you solved. Problem-solving is one of the most important skills you need in life. Employers want to know HOW you get stuff done as much as WHAT you got done – AND THEN DELETE THESE WORDS!