AUDIO DESIGN
During my minor, I focused on sound design using Ableton Live. Using this program for the first time. I explored creating unique sounds and textures with synthesizers, samples, and effects, experimenting with techniques like modulation, filtering, and layering. This allowed me to develop both technical skills and a creative approach to shaping sounds.You can find the assignments I completed for this minor here below.
Maker:
Chenoa de Boer
SOUNDSCAPE
Soundscape Description
The soundscape takes place in a distant past, somewhere between a medieval setting and the early western frontier. It begins with a creature walking through a quiet forest toward a clearing. As it approaches, you hear a lively group of people gathered around a campfire, talking, laughing, and enjoying the evening. At this point, the scene is peaceful and untouched by tension.
A little later, the atmosphere slowly begins to shift. A gentle breeze rises, rustling through the trees, and soon dark clouds start to gather. Only then do the horses become audible, reacting nervously to the changing weather. Thunder rolls in from the distance, the wind intensifies, and the horses panic, kicking off chaos in the once-calm gathering.
The storm breaks with heavy rain and loud thunder. People shout, run for cover, and eventually flee the campsite in fear, abandoning the warmth of the fire. As the storm fades, the chaos disappears with it. The voices are gone, the horses have scattered, and only the soft, steady rainfall remains, bringing the forest back to a quiet, natural calm.
REFLECTION
One of the first pieces of feedback I received for the soundscape was to add horses. This was not only to introduce a new sound, but to bring movement and tension into het verhaal. The horses helped the middle section feel more alive and gave the transition from the calm campfire atmosphere to the chaotic moment much more impact.
After adding this narrative movement, I focused on shaping the depth and overall cohesiveness of the soundscape. I adjusted frequencies to make the layers blend together more naturally and lowered the sharp peaks of the campfire so it wouldn’t dominate the mix. I also experimented with panning to create a sense of space—positioning elements like footsteps, crackling fire, and distant ambience in different stereo locations to make the listener feel surrounded by the environment.
The beginning was refined by adding the subtle approach of an animal walking toward the campfire group, making the opening more natural and immersive. The ending slowly dissolves into rain and soft nature sounds, creating a peaceful fade-out that contrasts with the chaos that comes before it.
This process taught me how storytelling in audio relies heavily on pacing, spatial placement, and frequency balance.
MUSIC TRACK
About the Genre – Electric Experimental
The music track I created falls within the genre Electric Experimental. This genre focuses on exploring sound in unconventional ways, breaking away from traditional structures and allowing room for creative freedom. Instead of relying on fixed patterns or predictable melodies, Electric Experimental music often uses layered synths, unusual textures, shifting rhythms, and playful sound manipulation to create a unique atmosphere.
For my track, this meant experimenting with different electronic sounds, applying effects, and using panning to move elements across the stereo field. The genre gave me the freedom to build tension, introduce unexpected twists, and play with repetition without having to follow typical song rules. By combining atmospheric elements with rhythmic parts and adding subtle variations, the track fits the experimental nature of the genre while still feeling cohesive and expressive
REFLECTION
For the music track, the main feedback was to improve the mix and create a clearer balance across the elements. I worked on adjusting volumes and also made extensive use of panning to give each sound its own space in the stereo field. This helped the track feel cleaner, wider, and more dynamic.
Another important point was to use repetition with variation—creating motifs that return but evolve slightly each time. By adding subtle twists to repeated sections, the song stays engaging while still having a clear structure and identity.
Through this project, I learned a lot about mixing, spatial audio design, and musical structure. Both the soundscape and the music track helped me understand how to guide a listener through a story using sound alone.