Blog post #3: Project idea

I have always been fascinated with the idea of how music or sounds in general simulate reality and force simulacra into our heads, making us believe things are real although they are in fact not. The idea and creativity of soundscape and how it create a simulation of our surrounding, arousing false feelings and manipulating our belief really inspire me. How come our brain activities react so drastically hearing a scream even when it is just from a movie scene or a game? What makes a piece played with a violin sometimes sound so spooky while being a lot calmer played with a piano? Why does a tritone simulate something so "evil" that could make our heart beat faster?

For my project in New Media, I will try exploring music as a simulation. Although I do have some experience in playing and writing, music recording and production is a brand new area for me. For the first few weeks, I will get myself familiar with recording software (probably Logic Pro) and different recording and also mixing techniques since I believe they are very important in manipulating recorded sounds and making good soundscape. At the same time, I will also find new creative ways to create different sounds from instruments that I already have. I got inspired by a Youtube video in which a guy makes ambient sound from a guitar and a fan.

Also, I will definitely compose a small music piece of my own to go into the soundscape and that will also probably take some time. If I have more time (although I really doubt it), I will definitely make an animated music video to go with the music in order create a whole simulation, audibly and visually.