Spatial Audio Design - Project 2
20/10/2025 - 2025 | Week 5 -
Huang jiaqi | 0371553
Table of Content
Module Information
Lecture
Week 5
Multitrack Layering
1. Label
2. Track Colour
Multitrack Layering
3. Each individual track should not clip (too loud)
- Decrease dB
- Apply hard limiter
[Input boost - used when the track is too soft]
- Go to mixer > apply hard limiter
[Only if the the overall level is still clipping]
4. Grouping - Easier to manage
- Multitrack > Tracks > Add Stereo Bus Track (has its own volume control)
- Make sure the tracks are mixed and good to go
- Name the bus track (eg. aeroplane)
- Mix > Bus > Aeroplane
5. Master Mix in Mixer should be 0
6. Export with 48000 Hz, 16 bits as WAVE
In Week 5, our lecturer demonstrated how to create and edit sound compositions using multitrack software. We learned how to import, layer, and organize different types of sound clips — such as background ambience, human voices, and sound effects. The demonstration also included techniques like trimming audio, adjusting volume levels, applying fade in/out, and balancing sound in both left and right channels to create a more immersive experience.
After the demonstration, we were asked to complete a short exercise using the techniques learned in class. I experimented with combining several environmental sounds to create a short ambient piece. Through this practice, I understood how layering and timing can greatly influence the mood and rhythm of a soundscape.
Final Output:
Below is my final sound composition created during Week 5.
The exercise was focused on learning how to layer, edit, and mix sounds using multitrack software.
I combined different sound effects and background ambience to create a short soundscape that demonstrates the techniques learned in class.
week 5_punch
Google Drive link：https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bH-KRF41EmsDqfTifDZNm6t-906t_eYT?usp=sharing
Project
In Week 6, we began working on our Auditory Imaging Project, where we were required to design a short sound composition based on one of six given scenarios. The goal of this project is to tell a story using only sound, without any visuals, by combining background ambience, environmental sounds, and meaningful sound effects to evoke emotion and atmosphere.
Before starting the project, our lecturer demonstrated how to record and edit sounds using multitrack software. We learned how to import, trim, and arrange sound clips, control volume levels, apply fade in/out, and create spatial depth through stereo panning. This tutorial helped us understand how sound can be layered to construct a vivid auditory scene.
For my project, I chose the theme “Wildlife + Farm Background” and developed a story titled “Echoes of the Farm.”The narrative portrays a peaceful rural morning disrupted by the cries of wolves, leading to chaos among the farm animals. Through this soundscape, I aim to capture the fragile relationship between nature, wildlife, and human emotion.
Sound Collection Plan
To bring this auditory story to life, I plan to collect and layer the following sounds:
Background ambience: morning wind, river flow, soft rustling of leaves
Wildlife sounds: bird chirps, frog croaks, wolf howls, owl calls
Farm animals: chickens flapping, ducks quacking, cows bellowing, sheep running
Environmental effects: footsteps/hooves, water dripping, branches creaking
Human element: soft farmer crying at the end to enhance emotional impact
I will source these sounds from free sound libraries such as Freesound.org and BBC Sound Effects, and some sounds may be recorded in the campus environment for authenticity.
process：
The process of creating Echoes of the Farm involved several key stages. First, I drafted the storyline, deciding on the sequence of events and the emotional journey — from the calm dawn to the chaos of fleeing animals, and finally to the quiet, reflective night. This step helped me identify the specific sounds I would need.
Next, I gathered the necessary sounds from free sound libraries such as Freesound.org and BBC Sound Effects, focusing on environmental ambience, wildlife, and farm animals. Some sounds, like wind and water dripping, were adjusted with EQ and reverb to fit the scene.
Then, I imported all sounds into Adobe Audition (multitrack session) and began layering them. I carefully adjusted volume levels, panning, and timing to create a realistic spatial environment. For example, the wolf’s howl moves from left to right to simulate distance, while chickens and ducks overlap to convey chaos. I also used fade in/out techniques to transition smoothly between calm and tense moments.
Finally, I fine-tuned the mix, ensuring each sound was clear but not overpowering, and that the overall piece flowed naturally from morning to night. The process emphasized how sound can guide the listener’s emotions and tell a story without visuals.
Echoes of the Farm：
This piece reflects the fragile balance between nature, wildlife, and human presence, capturing both tension and quiet reflection through sound alone.
Google Drive link：https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xyORbbhZIzt8XuRHZ3BBZ_ag6IYE9LwP?usp=share_link
Feedback
Reflection
This project taught me the power of sound storytelling. I learned that layering, panning, and volume automation are essential for creating a realistic auditory scene. Controlling transitions — from calm to chaos, and finally to quiet — was challenging but crucial for maintaining emotional flow.
I also discovered that silence and subtle sounds (like water dripping or the farmer’s quiet weeping) can communicate as much emotion as louder, dramatic sounds. This project enhanced my technical skills in multitrack editing, mixing, and sound selection. Most importantly, it helped me understand how sound can express human, animal, and environmental interactions in a deeply immersive way.
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