Theme: “Catalyst, sounds that change a situation”

For the third task in Media Objects we are to collect seven sounds which reflect and interpret the theme of ‘Catalyst’. In the previous assessment involving Photography I looked at the theme of Catalyst as objects that cause change in my day. I looked specifically at breakfast which allows our bodies and minds to function with our daily tasks.

For this task we are to record and collect seven sounds which have to be ‘unedited’. I was disappointed that we couldn’t edit the sounds as I originally had ideas that involved using Adobe Audition or another sound editing program. However I came up with ideas that involved unedited sounds which I created and I sourced other sounds too.

Four sounds must be recorded, 3 can be sourced (need to be copyright free)

Combination of long sounds (atmosphere) and short sounds and only one music track

Sound 1

Rainy Car:

Waiting in traffic while it starts raining. I turn my wipers on to push the rain off the windshield. Catalyst’s include the rain and also accelerating once the green light comes on to get to my destination.

Sound 2

Drinking Ice Cold Coca-Cola:

Similar to my photography work. Drinking Coke brings on a change in the body. Not only is my thirst quenched but also the caffeine gives me a boost to finish my tasks for the rest of the day.

Sound 3

School bell:

Brings on change of periods for students and teachers at High School. The bell is a catalyst in all schools as it brings change in subject, recess, lunchtime and also closes the day.

Sound 4

Click of a camera:

The sound of the shutter button clicking and taking a photo of something. This change occurs and a photo now exists. A moment in time captured forever.

Sound 5

Sourced from freesound.org

Converge 1.aiff by JimiMod

This is a soundscape I found online from a copyright free website that allows you to download free soundscapes and music for a film production. This piece is a loop of four tracks with one of them being at a slower tempo than the rest. It catches up as the loop begins to repeat. I thought this soundscape interpreted the theme of catalyst perfectly as the sounds build up to an intensity which can cause change for a character in a science fiction, thriller or horror film. The soundscape puts you in a dark space which you want to escape.

Sound 6

Sourced from freesound.org

Heartbeat at 60bpm by klangfabrik

This is another soundscape I found online from a copyright free website. This one is of a heartbeat. The bass is very low and you will need to have headphones to hear it. The soft beating of a heart is the catalyst for every human being to function. The heart pumps blood throughout our body and allows us to exist. We are all catalysts in this world and we all have one major catalyst inside us and that’s our hearts.

Sound 7

Music track

Catalyst by Zilmrah

This music track was sourced from filmmusicarchive.org a website which allows the user to download copyright free music for a film or for personal listening. This music track incorporates spoken word with electroacoustic and field recordings. It is an avant-garde piece which is at times hard to listen to but open for much interpretation. I find it incorporates the theme of Catalyst as the music brings about change in mood in its timbre and tone. It would make a good soundtrack to a film where the villain is introduced and brings about change and destruction to the main protagonist.