Transcript recording completed.

Today, I completed the recording of the spoken-word narration for the tour. The narrative was recorded using a RODE NT2-A. The large diaphragm and wide frequency response of this microphone is ideal for capturing every nuance of the human voice without colouration or distortion. The mic was set to cardiod pattern, to avoid extraneous sound being recorded, as per Sound on Sound journalist Paul White's recommendations: "Assuming that a vocal booth is out of the question, using a cardioid pattern mic will go a little way to excluding reflected sound coming from the sides and from behind the mic." (White, P., 1994).The NT2-A was ran through a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 preamp, a preamp with a 'natural' sound and flat frequency response, again aiding the natural sound present in the resulting recordings.


Cubase 5 was the recording software of choice, and the audio was recorded at 96kHz / 24bit, to avoid quantisation error and to capture the truest signal possible. Whence the audio had been recorded, sensitive processing was applied as not to colour the sound of the vocal. Thus, compression set to a soft knee and restrained ratio was applied, to help tame the upper dynamics, allowing for the track to be amplified without peaking - this brings the volume of the lower dynamic closer to the upper and prevents quieter passages of spoken word from being masked by the ambient music or extraneous sound that will occur on the tour. On the subject of compression being used to address fluctuations is output volume, Dittmar writes: "This is a useful signal processing tool when you want a vocal to sit more consistently in a mix or make any instrument sound consistent in volume." (Dittmar, T., 2011, pg110) A limiter was also applied, to prevent clipping. A 5kHz EQ cut was applied also, 5kHz is a particularly 'loud' frequency to the human ear, thus a cut at this frequency will aid listing pleasure and reduce fatigue. A slight reverb set to a large size helps to add a sense of space without being overpowering. I was sure to be sympathetic with the application of this plug-in, as overuse can lead to a loss in sonic definition (Rudolph, T. and Leonard, V., 2001, pg195).

A screenshot showing the processing applied to the audio narrative.

A number of websites have been useful in compiling the different sections of audio, the original written documentation from which the transcripts were inspired can be found at:

1. http://www.northamptonshire-history.org.uk/?p=100


2. http://www.northampton.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=520&pageNumber=2


3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northampton_railway_station


4. http://www.fostp.org.uk/the-building/


5. http://www.allsaintsnorthampton.co.uk/history.shtml


6. http://www.northampton.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=862&pageNumber=8


7. http://www.northampton.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1144


8. http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=343579


9. http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/features/the_chron_looks_back_at_what_life_was_once_life_for_northampton_s_prisoners_1_3482631


10. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Northampton#History

Site visit pictures.

Here are some images collated through the visiting of the tour sites today. These images were taken in an effort to capture a good likeness of these historic places, and shall be used within the Empedia tour to further guidance through the usage of thumbnail images.

Style of musical accompaniment chosen!

I have chosen Ambient music to accompany the main narration; this allows for the music to be an interesting part of the project without ever distracting from the main body of the narrative.

Brian Eno, composer and originator of the term 'Ambient Music', describes the style thus:

"An ambience is defined as an atmosphere, or a surrounding influence: a tint. My intention is to produce original pieces ostensibly (but not exclusively) for particular times and situations with a view to building up a small but versatile catalogue of environmental music suited to a wide variety of moods and atmospheres.

Whereas the extant canned music companies proceed from the basis of regularising environments by blanketing their acoustic and atmospheric idiosyncrasies, Ambient Music is intended to enhance these. Whereas conventional background music is produced by stripping away all sense of doubt and uncertainty (and thus all genuine interest) from the music, Ambient Music retains these qualities. And whereas their intention is to `brighten' the environment by adding stimulus to it (thus supposedly alleviating the tedium of routine tasks and levelling out the natural ups and downs of the body rhythms) Ambient Music is intended to induce calm and a space to think.

Ambient Music must be able to accommodate many levels of listening attention without enforcing one in particular; it must be as ignorable as it is interesting." (Eno, B., 1978)

From the above quote, it is clear to see how Ambient music may be used effectively within a Locative Media project such as mine. The use of music to further the ambience of the chosen locations as opposed to dominating the scene will be a key aspect within the tour's musical framework. Eno's first Ambient album, from which the above quote is cited was composed with a similar usage in mind: to calm passengers waiting to board aeroplanes; to compliment the surrounding spaces without ever dominating the foreground.

Finalised tour route map.

The tour route was finalised today. The route covers a wide range of historical places, all of great importance to the development of the town. The tour will be accompanied through various transcripts relating to historical content that I have amassed through research. I have chosen the route as to be compact, yet to offer different viewpoints of the town; industrial, urban, scenic and residential. Please see the image below for the final route:

(Image Copyright Google 2012.)

Tour locations and route finalised!

The tour locations and the tour route were finalised today! The route will begin at "Queen Eleanor Cross, Hardingstone" and terminate at "University of Northampton, Avenue Campus".

The tour will stop at:
"Delapre Abbey",
"Castle Station and Gate",
"St. Peter's Church",
"The Church of All Saints",
"The Guildhall",
"Northampton Market Square",
"The Church of the Holy Sepulchre" and
"Campbell Sq. Police Station"

All of the stops are well within "walking-distance" of one another, and the tour route has been designed as to provide the user with both scenic and urban impressions of Northampton. Map of the tour route to follow...

About the Empedia Tour project.

This blog serves as the written portion of a University project for the module 'Digital Futures'. For this task, it is necessary for me to produce an audio tour enlisting 'Locative Media', a relatively new form of media that involves interaction with the audience based upon their changing location thought the project. This part of the project relies on the use of 'Empedia', a web based locative-media software that allows for audio tours to be created, with different portions of audio being played-back at corresponding points on the tour. This is made possible by the usage of GPS technology present in today's smart phones. These audio files will consist of both spoken-word narrative and original music composition, to ensure the tour is both enjoyable and informative.


The audio tour component of the project, will be one focused on places of historical importance within the town of Northampton. Northampton is a historic town, deep-rooted within the realms of English history, and the tour will seek to educate the audience on the historical significance of Northampton. The educational aspect of the tour will consist of a narrative, recorded and performed by myself. The narrative will rely on two separate courses of research: the first allowing me to amass information about the chosen tour sites. The second will be into the documented studio processes of recording spoken-word - a discipline that I have had but limited experience in throughout my work as a producer. I feel this will be vital to ensure a high-quality end product; if the narrative is not clear, natural-sounding and enjoyable to listen to, the tour will not be pleasant to complete.


This blog, as befitting the project brief, will act as a document of processes, a resource for the publication and citation of research and a hub for the uploading of images and audio relating to the project.  I plan for the map of the project, documentation as to how I have completed the tour, images compiled from site visits, and cited research and bibliography to be uploaded here at a later date.