Getting started with AUDIOMULCH

BackgroundBackground

AudioMulch is not really designed for work in primary AudioMulch is not really designed for work in primary schools, and so there is a lot that you may wish to ignore.schools, and so there is a lot that you may wish to ignore.

However – it has two really useful functions:However – it has two really useful functions:

1.1.It can play back sounds as they are made, but with effects It can play back sounds as they are made, but with effects decided before hand. For instance, if you wanted a sound decided before hand. For instance, if you wanted a sound to be played back immediately with lots of echo, a ‘patch’ to be played back immediately with lots of echo, a ‘patch’ can be designed to do just this. This supports improvisation can be designed to do just this. This supports improvisation and sound exploration.and sound exploration.

2.2.A soundscape produced live by the children, can be A soundscape produced live by the children, can be saved to provide a file which can be mixed in other multi-saved to provide a file which can be mixed in other multi-media programmes.media programmes.

Download InformationDownload Information

The program can be downloaded from:The program can be downloaded from:

http://www.audiomulch.com/http://www.audiomulch.com/

There is a 60-day trial version, but this can There is a 60-day trial version, but this can currently be re-downloaded on a regular currently be re-downloaded on a regular basis for free.basis for free.

Volume ControlsVolume Controls Before using the programme it is important to adjust your Before using the programme it is important to adjust your

microphone input. This is because you may experience a microphone input. This is because you may experience a lot of feedback which can quickly become painfully (and lot of feedback which can quickly become painfully (and destructively) loud.destructively) loud.

Look for a speaker icon in the bottom right of your Look for a speaker icon in the bottom right of your screen. If it is there, simply double left click your mouse screen. If it is there, simply double left click your mouse and continue to the next slide in this presentation. and continue to the next slide in this presentation.

If you don’t have a speaker icon, see the next slide.If you don’t have a speaker icon, see the next slide.

If you don’t have a speaker icon, then open your volume If you don’t have a speaker icon, then open your volume control by following the path <Start> (bottom left of your control by following the path <Start> (bottom left of your screen) <Programmes> <Accessories> <Entertainment> screen) <Programmes> <Accessories> <Entertainment> <Volume Control><Volume Control>

Adjusting Sound InputAdjusting Sound Input

Open the Master Volume controls then Open the Master Volume controls then ensure that the master volume slide control ensure that the master volume slide control is up and that it is not muted. is up and that it is not muted.

•Now go to ‘Options’ (top left of window) and select Now go to ‘Options’ (top left of window) and select ‘Properties’.‘Properties’.• Select ‘Recording’ and from the list below, ensure Select ‘Recording’ and from the list below, ensure ‘Microphone’ is checked.‘Microphone’ is checked.

Select OKSelect OK Select ‘Microphone’ and draw the slide control Select ‘Microphone’ and draw the slide control

down to just below half way. (It can always be down to just below half way. (It can always be increased later if the input is too quiet). increased later if the input is too quiet).

Create a patch or ‘mulch’Create a patch or ‘mulch’

Open the programme ‘AudioMulch’.Open the programme ‘AudioMulch’. Patches are sound units linked together, which Patches are sound units linked together, which

when activated process sound inputs. You can when activated process sound inputs. You can create your own patches in AudioMulch which create your own patches in AudioMulch which are easier to use than those that come as are easier to use than those that come as standard with the programme.standard with the programme.

To create a patch, left click and drag items from To create a patch, left click and drag items from the left hand menu.the left hand menu.

The next slide demonstrates how to create a The next slide demonstrates how to create a simple patch.simple patch.

The home screen will already have a ‘SoundOut’ unit.Add a ‘SoundIn’ unit by left clicking and dragging into the central window.Now do the same for two effects: ‘DLGranulator’ and ‘SDelay’.

Music patches or ‘mulches’ can also be downloaded free at:

http://www.musicwing.co.uk/mulches/index.html

which also has help advice on programming your own mulches.

Now left click and drag virtual ‘wires’ from each unit.

Before proceeding further, mute the sound icon on the top of the screen.

Enable AudioEnable Audio Before it is possible to hear sounds you will Before it is possible to hear sounds you will

need to click on the ‘enable audio’ icon, that was need to click on the ‘enable audio’ icon, that was muted earlier.muted earlier.

Before clicking on the ‘enable audio’ icon – Before clicking on the ‘enable audio’ icon – switch on the microphone.switch on the microphone.

Should you experience any nasty feedback – Should you experience any nasty feedback – quickly click on the icon quickly click on the icon

again to kill the sound.again to kill the sound. If this happens, reduce the If this happens, reduce the level on the microphone level on the microphone input.input.

Experimenting with sound inputExperimenting with sound inputOnce set up, explore making fairly quiet sounds at first Once set up, explore making fairly quiet sounds at first

into the microphone to see what comes out of the into the microphone to see what comes out of the speakers.speakers.

Children should decide which sounds are interesting, Children should decide which sounds are interesting, and explore these further.and explore these further.

Input sounds can be vocal, class percussion or other Input sounds can be vocal, class percussion or other instruments.instruments.

Some children may want to work alone with the Some children may want to work alone with the program.program.

In some cases a soundscape may suggest itself. In some cases a soundscape may suggest itself. Alternatively you may find you are able to perform a Alternatively you may find you are able to perform a duet with the computer.duet with the computer.

Changing parameters of soundChanging parameters of sound

By double clicking on the effects units, the controls appear By double clicking on the effects units, the controls appear in the right hand window.in the right hand window.

Experiment with adjusting the controls to shape the sound Experiment with adjusting the controls to shape the sound output.output.

RecordingRecording

Making a recording in AudioMulch is a slightly confusing Making a recording in AudioMulch is a slightly confusing process the first time you try. The process is not an process the first time you try. The process is not an obvious one, (see illustration next slide).obvious one, (see illustration next slide).

1.1. Double left click on the ‘Sound Out’ unitDouble left click on the ‘Sound Out’ unit2.2. Within this unit, open a file using the open file icon, Within this unit, open a file using the open file icon,

name it and save in a location of your choice.name it and save in a location of your choice.3.3. Click on Save. This highlights the record and stop Click on Save. This highlights the record and stop

buttons in the buttons in the SoundOut SoundOut unit.unit.4.4. Press the red button to start recording and the black Press the red button to start recording and the black

stop/play button to stop recording.stop/play button to stop recording.5.5. Once the recording has been made the stop button Once the recording has been made the stop button

becomes a play button and you can review the becomes a play button and you can review the recording and then use in other audio/multimedia recording and then use in other audio/multimedia programs.programs.

SupportSupport

For further support contact David Wheway For further support contact David Wheway

email: email: david.wheway@canterbury.ac.uk