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Sound Game - Sound Choice!
Another winner from ‘Ucan.TV’ In edition 6 of Zone Magazine I reviewed a programme introducing pupils to the processes of sound design to accompany short films. The programme was called `Sound2 Picture`.
Now from the same team (‘Ucan.TV’) comes a programme aimed at younger pupils called ‘Sound2Game’ – and the programme deserves to be a major hit in primary and secondary schools.
What ‘Ucan.TV’ have done is take something of universal appeal to youngsters – computer games, and use these to encourage awareness of effects, sounds and music in computer sound engineering and the music industry. However – they have avoided the pitfalls of other programmers who use such games as a cover for rote learning. This is much more about creative processes and careful evaluation.
At a basic level the programme can be used to draw attention to the sounds and music used to create a mood and emotional response within each of the 5 games. At a slighter higher level -sounds can be selected from a bank of ready made files.
However – by linking the programme to a user-friendly sound-editing programme – ‘Audacity’ (also reviewed in Zone issue 6) pupils will be able to create their own sounds, effects and even music to customise the games – thus making connections between the work of a professional sound engineer and their own work.
The idea of creating sounds for games will not be new to all pupils, as many will have already explored downloading or changing sounds on their home computers – or in some cases will have created their own programmes with sounds through computer magazines and/or the internet.
Where this programme scores, (and neatly supports the national curriculum) is that pupils can create their own sounds.
Working at home this week-end with my 10 year-old daughter we quickly changed ‘Hover Racer’ (a fast racing game with futuristic hover cars), creating pitched vocal sounds for the cars and a silly `Coo-ee’ vocal call for when cars collided. A real cockerel call (recorded outside on a mini-disc for a previous music project’) provided the sound for the green ‘Go’ light at the start of the race.
We changed the fast paced, exciting background music with a sample of `Aquarium’ from Carnival of the Animals (Saint Saens), then turned off effects to see how the mood of the race had changed with seemingly inappropriate, calm music, (see illustration below/opposite)
I would recommend fooling around in this way to get a feel for the programme. We had great fun!
Changing sounds is a very quick process – but of course, creating sounds and music will depend very much on the experiences of pupils and teachers, both their music and their technical skills. Teachers
Navigating this programme is very simple – although the support notes could do with a `quick start’ file to save reading through the whole pdf file before-hand. The ‘Teaching Notes’ file could prove quite daunting to teachers with limited music and/or music technology skills – but my advice would be to persevere as the potential for class music is excellent, and they contain a couple of detailed plans to add to your music scheme.
There is an additional file detailing the work of the composer for the games – Andrew Diey – excellent reading for older pupils – or as background understanding for the primary teacher to précis for their pupils.
As with the other programme in this series - `Sound2 Picture’ I would recommend getting started and playing with importing sounds (see above) before embarking on a major project. However, once navigation is secure teachers will want to encourage pupils to discuss the sound files and create their own.
‘UCan.TV’ recommends using a support CD ‘Audacity Interactive’ a back-up CD ROM with films to support teachers new to sound editing.
Teachers of younger children might simply try importing sounds from the game, or from the internet using a search engine such as ‘Alta Vista’. They could even make simple recordings and edits with the PCs own Sound Recorder (Ref Zone issue….) Age Range/Application
I don’t envisage an upper age limit for using this programme. After all, many adults make their living from sound design – although (thankfully) the complicated technical work has been done already. Pupils should be able to see how this could be the first step in a lucrative career in sound design for computer games.
I think it will really appeal to years 5 to 9 – who will enjoy the games and customising them with their own sounds and music. In many schools this may require liaison between the ICT and music teachers/co-ordinators (where they exist) to guarantee success.
The programme would offer an excellent opportunity for after-school clubs; schools looking to develop a transition project between key stages two and three, a good kick-start project in secondary schools or a platform for a project with a visiting animateur/composer. OVERALL
Pros
Simple to load
Good graphics/videos
Simple to use considering the power of the programme
Games and sound processes will appeal to pupils from key stage 2 upwards – especially those who enjoy computer games
Builds on pupils ability to concentrate for lengthy periods when fully engaged
Useful video support – including support for getting started with ‘AudacityInteractive’ audio recording and links with PoS 5d
Encourages evaluation of sounds and music
Encourages composition for a purpose relating to the music industry Cons
Will be a challenge to teachers with limited technical knowledge – but worth pursuing Conclusion
Fantastic. Buy it.
Platform: Currently PC only
E-learning credits: Yes Current prices – (NB price quotes include site license. Single disc suitable for networks)
Sound2Game CDROM: £100 (Special price offer until 31/12/05) Sound2Game Extra Resources: £20 AudacityInteractive CVDROM: £40 Websites
www.sound2game.net
www.ucan.tv/audacityinteractive
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