Advanced Specialism – Critical Analysis

In this final project, I set myself a number of separate aims in relation to sound design and film
production. The first of these was to develop and consolidate Logic Pro X skills. This software is
designed specifically to create and enhance sound design and music composition. It is widely used by
professions throughout the industry. Prior to starting this project I had only a working knowledge of this
software, and decided to spend time investigating advanced effects and components. I also wanted to look
into aspects of music composition and develop a greater depth of understanding regarding a variety of
useful functions that I could utilise for my compositions. Secondly, I was determined to improve a
previous piece of work by producing a new soundscape and overall sound design. At the time I felt
improvements could have been made, and feel having spent time developing new skills in relation to the
creation of sound, I could now make an enhanced soundscape for this project.

Having studied various online video tutorials, I gathered relevant books and user guides, written by Apple
to further understanding of Logic Pro X instruments and effects. These books went into great detail,
explaining each section, function or aspect thoroughly. I determined that initially the most useful book
would be “Logic Pro X Instruments”. It contained many useful chapters including a passage which
introduced me to the Drum Kit Designer. Drum Designer allows you to sample different kits from across
the globe. You can even mix and match kits, dampen or add extra gain to different parts of the kit, such as
the bass drum or high hat. Examples of my testing can be found on my blog site1. The book later went on
to provide information in regards to the use of Synthesisers and amp design, which recreate sounds and
effects made by specific well-known brands of amps and pedals. The final area of interest within the book
was the software instrument section. Each instrument sound has been multi-sampled from real life
instruments to create an accurate sound for virtual composing. Within the instruments function, you can
recreate different styles of playing, for example; staccato, legato or even pizzicato.
Having familiarised myself with all of these areas I started selecting appropriate instrument styles within
my work. I initially created four instruments, which I then reduced to three; bass, viola and violin.
Subsequently, I introduced legato to the higher pitched instruments and staccato to the bass - this added
extra tension and atmosphere to the music score.

The second book I took time to study was “Logic Pro X Effects”. This book explains in some depth the
different capabilities of sound editing available within Logic Pro. Each function is explained in enough
technical detail to enable it to be useful for this project. I decided to research distortion effects as I felt
these could fix or enhance sound in the final edit. The main distortion effects were Bit Crusher, Clip
Distortion, Distortion Effect, Distortion II, Overdrive and Phase Distortion. Each of these are potentially
useful and can make important subtle changes if selected appropriately ; Bit Crusher distorts sound in a
digital way to create unearthly sounds, Clip Distortion 2“ is a non-linear distortion effect that produces
unpredictable harmonic spectra” which can recreate tube amp sounds for instruments, Distortion Effect is
used to simulate playing a musical instrument through a really over-driven amp to make unique and
different distorted sounds, Distortion II 3“emulates the distortion circuit of a Hammond B3 organ”,
Overdrive creates an earthly crushed sound (usually used for solid state instruments) and lastly Phase
Distortion uses two waves with a slight delay to create a low echo wobbly effect (see blog for examples).

1 https://carwenadvancedspecialism.weebly.com/
2 Excerpt From: Apple Inc. “Logic Pro X Effects.” iBooks. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/logic-pro-x-
effects/id960808317?mt=11
3 Excerpt From: Apple Inc. “Logic Pro X Effects.” iBooks. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/logic-pro-x-
effects/id960808317?mt=11
Another useful section explained how to get the best from the Dynamic Processor. 4“Dynamics processors
control the perceived loudness of your audio, add focus and punch to tracks and projects, and optimize the
sound for playback in different situations.” There are a number of different dynamic processors effects,
these inlclude; The Adaptive Limiter, DeEsser, Compressor, Enveloper, Expander, Limiter, Multipressor
and Noise Gate. By selecting a function, helpful alterations can be made to the sound design, for instance;
The Adaptive Limiter works by rounding and smoothing peaks in the curvature of sound to create a more
even result. A DeEsser compresses sound to eliminate hiss and harsh noises produced by the human
mouth (S’s and P’s). Compressors not unsurprisingly compress sound that peak above a certain level, this
reduces harsh noises and produces smoother sound. Envelopers can be used to reduce or add gain to
certain sounds (for example a bass drum). Expanders enable you to increase, rather than reduce, a
dynamic range (opposite to the compressor). Limiters cut off higher level sounds which are particularly
useful for removing or reducing background hissing sounds. A Multipressor allows you to split the sound
into four separate frequencies, these can then each be compressed in whatever way is required. Once this
process is complete, all four frequency bands can be put back together. This is ideal if many different
frequencies need different editing or attention. The last is a Noise Gate. The 5“Noise Gate is commonly
used to suppress unwanted noise that is audible when the audio signal is at a low level. You can use it to
remove background noise, crosstalk from other signal sources, and low-level hum.”
To make the required improvements to my work, I selected the DeEsser, Compressor and the Limiter as
these had the effect of fixing hums, clicks and harsh sounds that were present on the wild tracks and
actor's vocals.

The last chapter within the effects book, the Equalizers, was worthy of extra attention. The Equalization
function is commonly used within post-production sound design. As finding a good location for clear
sound can be difficult, it is very helpful to have the EQ settings to fall back on. For this reason I feel this
particular technical aspect should be well understood. The main EQ’s available in Logic are; Channel EQ,
Channel EQ Analyser, Linear Phase EQ, LP Analyser, Match EQ, Single Band EQ and Vintage EQ. Not
all these are useful for the sound design of a film - many are used for music composition editing. Channel
EQ uses eight frequency bands that range from low to high - this can allow you to manoeuvre the bands
upwards for more gain or lower them to remove and lessen the frequency, The Channel EQ Analyse show
which frequencies are present within your sound clip. The Linear Phase EQ is normally applied to the
output or final master track to lessen or increase the frequencies of the whole edit. Linear Phase EQ
allows you to view which frequencies are most prominent within the master channel, Match EQ is used
subsequent to music track creation to ensure each track has a similar style and has a listening output ready
for disk or LP. Single Band EQ lets you choose between four or five different EQ options to simplify the
EQ process. Finally, the Vintage EQ is designed to mimic previous models of EQ from the 1950s-70s
which is particularly helpful for recreating classic rock or pop songs.
Most of the EQ options outlined would not be beneficial to this project, and I decided to make changes
using the Channel EQ and the Channel EQ Analysis function for my sound tracks. I made this decision
because I required a wide range of editing capabilities. As I have now developed a fuller understanding of
a variety of technical aspects, equalizing and fixing tracks was a straightforward process.

This project required quite a lot of attention, as there were numerous sound issues. Many of the locations
were outside or near busy streets, so all clips required Equalizing. Where recordings were made outdoors,
I removed a large amount of wind hiss by using the Channel EQ and Compressors to lower the higher
frequencies. This was not a quick process.

4 Excerpt From: Apple Inc. “Logic Pro X Effects.” iBooks. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/logic-pro-x-

effects/id960808317?mt=11
5 Excerpt From: Apple Inc. “Logic Pro X Effects.” iBooks. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/logic-pro-x-
effects/id960808317?mt=11
By experimentation, I feel I managed to improve the sound track so that it did not sound fake or
obviously edited.
As I mentioned previously, the DeEsser was used on numerous occasions to remove harsh sounds from
the vocals, such as rustling noises inadvertently made by clothing. By raising chosen aspects (for example
the smoothing control) of the DeEsser, I could remove a lot of the unwanted noise. I have undertaken new
testing within this project, this has included the use of Binaural panning, which create depth of field for
sound in post-production. I used the automation panel to create pans, binaural distance and volume
control. I altered slides in order to create additional depth and distance. This allowed me to create the
required atmosphere within the edit (See 6blog for example). Finally, I endeavoured to implement a
variety of new aspects of music composition. I now have a fuller understanding of new functions that
have been incorporated into Logic. I was able to create a professional sounding piece of underscore using
the Legacy Jam packs and accents pre-loaded within them. Each instrument was then automated for
volume control and placed thoughtfully into the film to create a new dynamic.

In conclusion, I believe I have achieved each of the goals that I had set for myself. These include an
improved understanding of numerous new features found within Logic Pro X, a broader understanding of
a variety of technical aspects that I will be able to implement within future projects, and finally producing
a better standard of work in my final sound project. I feel that with extra research I will continue to
further my expertise in post-production sound design and music composition.

6
https://carwenadvancedspecialism.weebly.com/