1. BGE Music Technology Creating a Soundscape
Meldrum Academy

2. Learning Intentions In this project you are going to be:
learning about soundscapes and creating your own soundscape
developing your music technology skills
learning and developing skills on music technology software
using literacy skills to create a detailed plan for your soundscape
using the internet to source appropriate sounds and importing these into music software
working as an effective part of a group

3. Success Criteria By the end of this project all pupils will:
be able to recognise and identify soundscapes
be able to use, and will have developed their literacy skills
be able to work as an effective contributor in a group
be able to source appropriate sound effects online
By the end of this project some pupils will:
be able to import audio files into Audacity (music software)
be able to create a soundscape
By the end of this project some pupils may:
be able to add effects and edit audio files using Audacity

4. But what is a soundscape?
Think, Pair, Share
But what is a soundscape?

5. Soundscape
A soundscape is a sound or combination of sounds that forms or arises from an environment.

6. Listen
Listen to this soundscape. Discuss quietly with your shoulder partner and figure out what environment you think it is from. What do you hear?
Click here

7. Project
In this project you are going to be creating your own 30 second soundscape using Audacity. Audacity is a digital audio editor and recording computer software. But how do we go about creating a soundscape?

8. Step 1 - Ideas
First you must decide what environment you are wanting to create?
Here are some examples:
Football pitch
Space
War
We will use space as an example.

9. Step 2 - Brainstorm
In pairs, on show-me-boards write down as many ‘space sounds’ as you can think of.
‘Space Sounds’

10. Step 3 – Story Board
Now that you have some inspiration you need to write or draw a short story detailing exactly what is happening in the scene.
Setting the space scene
Space ship flies past
A comet explodes
Inverurie Faculty of Expressive Arts: BGE Music

11. Inverurie Faculty of Expressive Arts: BGE Music
Step 4 – Sound Design Map
Now you need to plan your sounds. Make your soundscape as detailed as possible. Remember your soundscape should be 30 seconds long.
Time
Detailed Description
Sound/s
0 seconds – 5 seconds
Setting the space scene
Space music and digital sounds
5 seconds – 10 seconds
Space ship flying over
Swooshing sound gradually getting louder then quieter
10 seconds – 15 seconds
Space scene
15 seconds – 20 seconds
Comet getting closer
Swooshing sounds getting louder
20 seconds – 30 seconds
Comet exploding
Loud exploding sounds
Inverurie Faculty of Expressive Arts: BGE Music

12. Step 5 – Blocking your Sound
Now you need to block your sounds. You can do this by figuring out what sounds you need to find.
Tick the box
Sound Effects
Online
Recording
Space music
Digital sound
Swooshing sound
Different swooshing sound
Explosion sound

13. Step 6 – Sourcing your Sounds
The first thing you need do is create is a folder in ‘My Documents’ called ‘Music Tech’. Then create another folder inside ‘Music Tech’ and call it ‘Soundscape’. You are going to save ALL of your sounds in this folder.

14. Step 6 – Sourcing your Sounds
Now you are ready to source your sounds online. There are some excellent online resources for this – use GOOGLE CHROME.
USERNAME : MELDRUM
PASSWORD : MELDRUM
USER NAME: P109
PASSWORD; P109
Once you have found a sound, you need to download it –right click the sound and it will automatically go to your DOWNLOADS FOLDER
Copy and Paste the MP3s in to your SOUNDSCAPE FOLDER

15. Step 7 – Audacity
Now you are ready to start your soundscape. Click on the Windows button at the bottom left hand side of the screen, go to MUSIC and scroll down until you see Audacity 2.0 Wait for it to load, you should see this…

16. Step 8 – Saving your File
Before you do anything please save your Audacity file in your Soundscape folder
Go to:
File – Save Project as – select ‘Soundscape’

17. Step 9 – Audacity
Here are a few tips that will help you work around audacity.
Selection tool
Effects
Time shift tool
Zoom in/out
Mute
Window minimiser

18. Step 10 – Importing Sounds
Now you are ready to import your sounds into Audacity.
Go to :
File – Import – and select the sound file you wish to import first
This should appear…

19. Step 10 – Importing Sounds
Once you have imported your sound file you should see something like this…

20. Step 11 - Adding a new Sound File
Follow Step 10 to add more sound files.

21. Step 12 – Moving your Sound Files
Now that you have all your sound files imported into audacity you now need to move them into place. Click on the track you would like to move, click on the time shift tool and move your sound file to the correct place.

22. Step 13 – Editing Sound Files
To crop a sound file, select the file you would like to edit, and select the selection tool. Now highlight the area you want to delete. Press Delete!
Highlighted area

23. Step 14 – Adding Effects
To add effects, highlight the area of the sound file you want to add an effect to (do this with the selection tool). Then click effect and choose an effect you want to add. If you are unhappy with the effect, press ‘Ctrl’ and ‘Z’ together, and you will undo the effect.

24. Teacher Feedback
When you feel that you have completed your soundscape, let your teacher listen to your work.

25. Step 15 – Exporting
You now need to export your soundscape as an MP3 file.
Here is how you export your soundscape.
Click File – Export
This should appear…
Make sure your save your file as a MP3 File
Name your file ‘Soundscape MP3’
Then press Save!

26. Step 15 - Exporting
If this window appears, click ok.

27. Step 15 - Exporting
Save your audacity file for the final time, then exit audacity. Go into My Documents and double check your MP3 file works.

28. Step 16 – Peer/Self Assessment
Once you have completed your soundscape you can collect the ‘Peer/Self Assessment’ form from your teacher.

29. Step 16 – Peer/Self Assessment
It is important to assess and reflect on your learning. Please fill out the form below.

30. Step 16 – Peer/Self Assessment
Use the two stars and a wish template. Write down 2 things you liked about your project and 1 thing you could do to improve your project. The ask a peer to write down 2 things they liked about the piece and 1 thing they think you could be better.

31. BGE Music Technology@ Meldrum Academy
Well Done!
BGE Music Meldrum Academy