Sonic Design: Final Project

5/12/2024 - 5/1/2025 (Week  - Week 15)

Seh Zi Qi/ 0355872/ Bachelor of Design(Honours) in Creative Media

Module Name: VSA60204 Sonic Design

Final Project

---

LIST

Lectures

Final Project: Game Audio

• Recording Preparation
• Audio Editing

Final Game Audio

Reflection

---

LECTURES

Click here for the lectures.

---

INSTRUCTIONS

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QvZIf2J7B2RHvKojcbeOsJHUCCSj4ahD/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>

_______________

FINAL PROJECT: GAME AUDIO

"Students will given a choice of gameplay video. They will then need to create the sound and bring the game to life. Students will have to plan and organize their studio recording session for Foley and voice recording. They will also have access to the portable recorder if required."

____________

Progress [Recording Preparation]

For this project, I wasn't there when the briefing happened as I was slightly sick but from what I heard from my friend, this is the summary:

• Individual sounds should be exported separately (walking sound, grass sound etc. and then you layer them)
• Also, look at the detailing when you attack or hit something, look at the effects of what's happening (like if you shoot an arrow, have sounds for drawing back the arrow, shooting and the bow rebound and then what material the arrow is hitting etc.) (personal note: luckily we're gamers heh)
• View the video several times, focusing on one element at a time (e.g. the main character and what they're interacting with, then next round focus on the enemy) 
• Can create an audio storyboard (a spreadsheet that looks like the multitrack layer image attached)
• Also, a reminder to RECORD EVERYTHING YOURSELF no downloading

He also gave us a drive link for the game we needed to add audio to:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xAE_rhWXqb0ICm46xZKcdVP1oGo66pws

Fig 1.1, Final Project Video Drive, 05/12/2024

The games include:

1. Child of Light
2. Red Goddess Inner World
3. Ori and the Blind Forest
4. Hollow Knight (The one I decided to do)
5. Battleblock Theatre

Before I recorded the sounds, I made the audio asset list and storyboard as advised by our lecturer, Mr Razif, so we would know what needed to be recorded and when we needed those noises, depending on the environment.

Fig 1.2, Game Audio Asset List, 12/12/2024

Fig 1.3, Game Storyboard, 14/12/2024

Once we were done creating the audio asset list and storyboard, we booked the recording studio with the lecturer's help. My friend Elysa and classmate Warith also joined me during my sessions. It was my first time operating the equipment and system within the recording sessions so it was quite eventful.

We brought our own props to create the sounds we needed. We would use the props in different ways like tapping or hitting to get specific sounds 

Fig 1.4, Pictures taken of me taken in the Recording Studio, 20/12/2024 & 23/12/2024

Once we were done with our sessions, we compiled our recordings into a drive so it was much easier to download the sounds we each needed. Since we created each sound together, we can download each other's files for comparison and layering effects.

Link to the Google Drive:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19voTzALkczK00-JgpWc78yRSwPGBAsls?usp=drive_link

Fig 1.5, Studio Recordings, 24/12/2024

____________

Progress [Audio Editing]

After recording all the necessary noises, I started working on each sound effect on Adobe Audition using the previous list as a guide. I'll be showcasing the top 5 sounds I've felt were the best to not overload information.

Landing on Ground SFX

SFX Group	Reaction
Sub Group	Landing on Ground
Description	The thud sound that MC makes when landing on the ground
Props	Towel, Cork Material, Plush Pouch
Recording Session	Tapping or punching the towel in a slow, medium & fast-paced tempo, with a microphone that’s very close by Tapping on the cork material with fingers, palms & plush pouch in a slow, medium & fast-paced tempo, with a microphone that’s very close by Result: Multiple thud/ thump-like sounds
Editing	Remove the background noise and static from the original files by using Noise Reduction and manually reducing the volume further if necessary. Specific/ selected portions taken from the original file that are most suitable for the necessary sounds were chosen and copied into a new file.
Processing	From J_FALLING_NOISES_04 J1: EQ Slightly increased the low frequency to make the sound have more base. From W_JUMPS&LANDING_02 W1: Pitch Shifter Pitched the main file down to -2 to create a sound that has an echo effect EQ Increased 2 and 3 frequencies to emphasise the ‘thump’ sound Applied in Multitrack Layer: J1 + W1 Combined Added both variations to create the final layered sound Pitch Shifter Pitched the file down to -8 to add more base Volume Decreased to -5 to prevent audio clipping
Reference	Original File(s): J_FALLING_NOISES_04 W_JUMPS&LANDING_02 Processed File(s): LandNoise1.wav LandingNoise2.wav FinalLandingNoise.wav

Editing Progress:

Fig 2.1, LandNoise1.wav, 27/12/2024

Fig 2.2, LandingNoise2.wav, 27/10/2024

Hitting Coin Rock SFX

SFX Group	Reaction
Sub Group	Hitting Coin Rock
Description	The multi-layered sound that happens after being hit by MC
Props	Coins, Metal Chains, Keys, Coin-filled Bag, Rocks
Recording Session	Cupping the coins, shifting the coins from one hand to another, dropping & shaking the coins from different heights, surfaces & tempos, and different materials added to the coins for different sounds, with a microphone that’s very close by Shifting the keys from one hand to another, dropping & shaking the coins from different heights, surfaces and tempos, and using different materials for different sounds, with a microphone that’s very close by Hitting, shifting, and shaking the coin-filled bag at different tempos & strengths, with a microphone that’s very close by Result: Multiple high-pitched singular & multilayered ‘ding’ sounds
Editing	Remove the background noise and static from the original files by using Noise Reduction and manually reducing the volume further if necessary. Specific/ selected portions taken from the original file that are most suitable for the necessary sounds were chosen and copied into a new file.
Processing	From J_COINNOISES_05 J1: EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound J2: EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound J3: Pitch Shifter Pitched down to -5 to create a more base-like sound EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound J4: EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound From W_COINROCKHIT_02 W1: Pitch Shifter Pitched down to -5 to create a more layered and base-like sound EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound W2: Pitch Shifter Pitched down to -5 to create a more layered and base-like sound EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound W3: Pitch Shifter Pitched down to -5 to create a more layered and base-like sound EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound W4: Pitch Shifter Pitched down to -3 to add to the layered sound EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound W5: Pitcher Shifter Pitched down to -1 to add to the layered sound EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound Applied into Multitrack Layer J1 + J2 + J3: Combined Added J1, J2 and J3 variations to create the final layered sound Hard Limiter To prevent audio clipping W3 + W4 + W5: Combined Added W3, W4 and W5  variations to create the final layered sound Hard Limiter To prevent audio clipping
Reference	Original File(s): J_COINNOISES_05 W_COINROCKHIT_02 Processed File(s): CoinFall.wav JCoinRockHit1.wav JCoinRockHit2.wav JCoinRockHit3.wav CoinHitLayer.wav CoinHitLayer2.wav CoinRockHit1.wav CoinRockHit2.wav CoinRockHit3.wav FinalCoinRockHit1 FinalCoinRockHit2.

Editing Progress:

Fig 2.3, CoinRockHit1.wav, 27/12/2024

Fig 2.4, CoinRockHit3.wav, 27/12/2024

Fig 2.5, CoinHitLayer.wav, 27/12/2024

Fig 2.6, CoinHitLayer2.wav, 27/12/2024

Zapflies SFX

SFX Group	Reaction
Sub Group	Zapflies
Description	The sound is made by a background enemy that doesn’t move but has a rhythmic zap.
Props	Zipper, Comb, Brush
Recording Session	Opening & closing the zipper in slow, medium & fast-paced tempos, with a microphone that’s very close by Using nails, another comb & fingers to run through the comb in slow, medium & face-paced tempos, with a microphone that’s very close by Results: Multiple high-pitched ‘zip’ sounds
Editing	Remove the background noise and static from the original files by using Noise Reduction and manually reducing the volume further if necessary. Specific/ selected portions taken from the original file that are most suitable for the necessary sounds were chosen and copied into a new file. Trimming was used when necessary to make abrupt noises.
Processing	From main file Variation 1: EQ Increased 4 while slightly decreasing 3 to create a sharp sound Variation 2: EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound Pitch Shifter Increased to 5 to create a higher pitch and sharper tone; also adds for a layered sound Variation 3: EQ Increased 4 while slightly decreasing 3 to create a sharp sound Variation 4: EQ Used the preset ‘Beefy Snare’ to create a more base-like sound to  Pitch Shifter Increased to 3 to create a higher pitch and sharper tone Variation 5: EQ Decreased 1, 2 &3 while increasing 4 & 5 to create a sharp stinging noise that electricity makes Pitch Shifter Increased to 2 to create a higher pitch and increase the sharper tone Variation 6: EQ Used the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to create a clearer sound Pitch Shifter Increased to 3 to create a higher pitch and sharper tone After adding the Chorus, went and added another pitch shifter and increased it to 12 to create a sharper tone Chorus Used the preset ‘Quartet’ to add a layering effect to the sound Applied in Multitrack Layer: Variation 1 + 2 + 3 Combined Added Variations 1, 2 and 3 to create the final layered sound Hard Limiter To prevent audio clipping Variation 4 + 5 + 6 Combined Added Variations 4, 5 and 6 to create the final layered sound Hard Limiter To prevent audio clipping
Reference	Original File(s): J_FLYNOISES_06 Processed File(s): ZapfliesLayer1.wav ZapfliesLayer2.wav ZapfliesLayer3.wav ZapfliesZap1.wav ZapfliesZap2.wav ZapfliesZap3.wav FinalZapfliesNoise.wav FinalZapfliesZapNoise.wav

Editing Progress:

Fig 2.7, ZapfliesLayer1.wav, 27/12/2024

Fig 2.8, ZapfliesLayer2.wav, 27/12/2024

Fig 2.9, ZapfliesZap1.wav, 29/12/2024

Fig 2.10, ZapfliesZap2.wav, 29/12/2024

Fig 2.11, ZapfliesZap3 #1.wav, 29/12/2024

Fig 2.12, ZapfliesZap3 #2.wav, 29/12/2024

Fig 2.13, Final Zapflies, 29/12/2024

Fly Alert SFX

SFX Group	Reaction
Sub Group	Fly Alert
Description	The sound that an active enemy makes after noticing the MC’s presence
Props	Mouth Noises & Shouts
Recording Session	Making various noises & shouts into the microphone that’s very close by Result: Multiple normal to high-pitched animal-like or ‘nngah’ sounds
Editing	Remove the background noise and static from the original files by using Noise Reduction and manually reducing the volume further if necessary. Specific/ selected portions taken from the original file that are most suitable for the necessary sounds were chosen and copied into a new file. Files were stretched to create a longer version if needed.
Processing	Variation 1: EQ Increased 3 halfway and dragged it right and closer to 4 to get a scratchier sound Pitch Shifter Increased to 3 to create a higher pitch and increase the tone Variation 2: EQ Increased 3 halfway and dragged it right and closer to 4 to get a scratchier sound Pitch Shifter Increased to 2 to create a higher pitch and increase the tone Applied in Multitrack Layer: Variation 1 + 2 Combined Added Variations 1 and 2 to create the final layered sound Chorus Added preset ‘Tiny Pebbles’ to get a gurgle sound for the fly Pitch Shifter Increased the pitch to 4 to create a higher pitch Clip Stretching Stretched clip to 173% to increase the gurgle sound Hard Limiter To prevent audio clipping
Reference	Original File(s): W_FLYALRT&DEATH_03 Processed File(s): FlyAlert.wav FlyAlert2.wav FinalFlyAlert.wav

Editing Progress:

Fig 2.14, FlyAlert.wav, 27/12/2024

Fig 2.15, FlyAlert2.wav, 27/12/2024

Fig 2.16, FlyAlert on Multitrack, 2/1/2025

Guts Spewing SFX

SFX Group	Reaction
Sub Group	Guts Spewing
Description	The sound that’s made after hitting an enemy & in their death and has a prolonged version like the zombie’s
Props	Wet Towel in a Container of Water, Wet Wipes
Recording Session	Squeezing & wringing the towel to get rid of the water in slow, medium & fast-paced tempos, with a microphone that’s very close by Results: Multiple wet gush & squeeze-like sounds
Editing	Remove the background noise and static from the original files by using Noise Reduction and manually reducing the volume further if necessary. Specific/ selected portions taken from the original file that are most suitable for the necessary sounds were chosen and copied into a new file. Trimming was used when necessary to make abrupt noises. Files were also stretched to create a longer version if needed.
Processing	Variation 1: EQ Increased 2 slightly, 4 to the top & slightly decreasing 5 to intensify the sound Variation 2: EQ Increased 2 slightly, 3 to the top & decreasing 4 to the bottom to intensify the sound and make it clearer Applied in Multitrack Layer: Variation 1 Volume Decreased it by -5 to prevent audio clipping Hard Limiter To prevent audio clipping Variation 2 Pitch Shifter Increased it to 10 to create a higher pitch tone for the sound EQ Added the preset ‘Vocal Enhancer’ to increase the clarity of the sound Hard Limiter To prevent audio clipping
Reference	Original File(s): J_Wet_Gut_Noises_05 Processed File(s): GutSplat1.wav MajorGutSplat.wav

Editing Progress:

Fig 2.17, GutSplat1.wav, 27/12/2024

Fig 2.18, MajorGutSplat.wav, 29/12/2024

_________

This is the entire mixdown for Game Audio:

Fig 2.19, Game Audio Mixdown #1, 4/1/2024

Fig 2.20, Game Audio Mixdown #2, 4/1/2024

Here is me putting the finished game audio into Premiere Pro and adding the video itself to tie everything together:

Fig 2.21, Finishing touches, 4/1/2024

_______________

FINAL Game Audio

Link to the Google Drive for the Audio Multitrack Session, WAV File & Used Files:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QR7PdIegWO-dYJP2E9va3GJXL11yMGEl?usp=drive_link

Fig 3.1, Final Game Audio WAV File, 4/1/2025

Link to the Youtube video for Final Game Audio:

https://youtu.be/F0o1TDIPioA?si=bwyKSxDQh7Z8AQpt

Fig 3.2, Final Game Audio_Seh Zi Qi_0355872, 4/1/2025

Fig 3.3, Game Audio Journal_Seh Zi Qi_0355872, 4/1/2025

---

REFLECTION

After being in the recording studio doing the basic recordings, helping to record and mixing my own audio, I'd say it truly was a fun experience to be able to do what professionals do within a space made for them; giving them the creative liberties to create the perfect sound to accompany the media. One thing to say for sure is that it was really hard to match the sounds made in-game, which gave me a lot of stress but I was able to heed Mr Razif's words to just do my best and I just decided to strive for that. There were many people I've observed but the people I admired the most were the professionals who do this for a living because they know what to use and when to create the needed sounds; their extensive knowledge ceases to amaze me which motivates me further to create better sounds. Overall, I felt that I was able to grow a lot during the different projects that were given to me; starting off with challenges that I thought I couldn't overcome to embracing the difficulties and finding solutions to fix the problems that had presented themselves.