Nicholas McLaughlin Blog

Initial Idea:

One + Two

One: An Initial idea that uses sonic vibrations to reseonate at certain frequencies to create a feeling within the viewers body or a low resonating sound that feels a certain way.

Two: Two audio sources that seems to be conversing with one another, non verbal,

Three

A large exhibition that has arms connected to motors and spaces for keys so that users to connect their keys, everyones keys will sound differently so when there is a large collection of them there will be a similiar effect to the work of Zimoun.

Inspiration:

Zimoun

https://zimoun.net

From Zimouns work, I love the physicality and tacktile nature of the work. I would love to impliment the same tackle nature of sound into my project.

Bernhard Leitner

Conversation with Neil:

After the break, I had two ideas, one that was more out there and on a larger scale and one more personal and person-focused. Looking inward as I have this year, I realise that my work is mainly people/ humanity based, and both ideas focused on that but in two different ways. After a discussion with Neil, the second felt more meaningful and manageable.

Idea Development:

Audio with Spoken word:

Black Wing – Death Sentences

Gorillaz – Fire Coming Out

Loaded – Primal Scream

During my conversation with Neil, we discussed the popular trope in music of having a voice note or recording of spoken word or movie dialogue in the track. We discussed how that could be used in my project to make the meaning of the songs more apparent and how voice notes that hint at the story of the relationship can make the connection between the speakers more apparent.

How I aim to implement this in my project is either:

• Starting and ending the project with some voice notes that give context.
• Having the voice notes in between the tracks.
• Having it more naturally sprinkled throughout the tracks as real voice notes.
• The frequency of the voice notes increase as the two people get to know each other.

Development:

Text

What do I have and what do I need? :

Correction:

I have a slight change of plans for these notes. As I was working on the assumption that it has to be approximately 1 minute, and that’s not the case, I can take longer to explore the relationship between the two people.
I don’t think I’ll have the full songs in the piece so as not to feel too drawn out. Maybe I’ll just have the song play until the listener has heard enough or when the song feels natural enough that the listener would think of the answering song.

After my conversation with Neil, I have a better idea of the trajectory for the project and that I want to focus more on the audio and stop getting distracted by the visuals.

Track List:

The TrackList Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/1z8sW6vxldbemp78HpAKMd?utm_source=generator&theme=0

Set Up: Test

Initial set up, I was just going to use the tall white plinths but with the stands allow for the speakers to be at the optimal level for average ear height.

Set Up:

The set up is very minimal as to not distract from the audio and for the sound to be the main attractor.

The Music:

Harmonies:

One:

Two:

Three:

Four:

Final:

The Combos:

Trying to get the two songs to work together was harder than I thought. But when the songs overlap at parts I love the harmonry effects it has or through a couple of the songs there was a question and answer effect between them.

Main Track:

Here I’m just building the mixtape, putting the music together and trying to put together the story of two people through music.

To Do:

Just a list of things I’ve still to do, keeping me right. There was another stage of this project that I didn’t get to reach in the time available. If I was to revisit this project then I’d give more time these extra features and ideally elevate the work.

Working on the Timing:

Shown above is just the files of the songs that I was timing together. Trying to find the right level of two songs working together.

Final:

A conversation between two people through music.

Two people that find a common line through music and develop a relationship, sharing and learning from each other, finding a common ground by becoming closer.

As the music plays back and forth the speakers get closer in taste until they’re playing different versions of the same song.

These songs, just as people do, don’t line up perfectly but sometimes line up perfectly creating harmonies and special moments of choruses or question and answer sections between the music.

The music is in three sections:

• The Disconnect
• The Imperfect Harmony
• The Connection

Reflection:

Good idea, nice concept, could be better.

Focus more on the BPM and less on the vocals syncing up

I think for this project I got too bogged down in the imperfect harmony stage of the piece and trying to make it work. But in the review it was made clear to me that the concept is solid but maybe there is another way to make the concept/ story clearer.

If I revisit this project :

• I’ll change the overall set up of the music as to make it less chaotic and more harmonious.
• I’ll add more speakers to the set up as to achieve the panning and more natural movement at either side if the listener.
• I’ll collect and add in the voice notes from others after I ask them the question “What is special about them?”