describing the contemporary sound environment

• Home
  • About this work
• Abstract
• Acknowledgements
• I. Introduction
• II. Analysis of the models
  • Aims and fields of application
  • Epistemological approach
  • Main Concepts and Models
• III. Methodologies
  • The Three Methodologies
  • The Synthesis
• IV. Case Study
  • Summary
  • Representative Locations
  • Acoustic Community
• V. Conclusion
• Appendices
  • B. Glossary
  • C. Sonic Mind Maps
  • D. Questions
  • E. Sequential Analysis
  • F. Sonic Identity Charts
  • G. Newspaper Article
• Audio Excerpts
• Bibliography

These short audio segments are excerpts from the three sequences used in reactivated listening sessions (see chapter 3). They constitute a sonic representation of each location, based on previous interviews and several hours of recordings.

To listen to each excerpt, click on their title. They each last about 35 sec, and are compressed (.mp3 mono) versions of the original files.

First excerpt: Café Calabria
calabria
This first sequence consists of one continuous excerpt, selected for its wide variety of sound signals and the progressive modification of the sound environment. It represents a typical busy afternoon at Café Calabria. Male voices with European accents, Mediterranean-style music and various noises from cashiers and kitchen can be heard. The only element that was added in postproduction is a short joyful vocal interaction between two Italian males, used to provide an additional hint concerning the location of the recording.

Second excerpt: Grandview Park
park
This sequence is made up of four different recordings, transparently mixed to provide an overview of the main sound signals that can be heard in Grandview Park during a sunny afternoon. While traffic can be heard in the front, other quieter sounds from inside the park (notably kids playing, musicians, voices and birds) remain audible and provide a somewhat hi-fi environment.

Third excerpt: The markets
market
Sounds from two different markets (Santa Barbara and Norman’s Fruit and Salad) were combined to create this third sequence. Binaural microphones were used to facilitate listeners’ orientation. The sequence presents a spatially contrasting sound environment, with loud traffic noise coming from the back and a large variety of quieter sound signals moving in the front. Fleeting discussions, cashiers’ noises and handling of fruit and boxes can be distinguished behind the loud and cyclical noise of traffic.