1. A sonic sign for the future: designing a nuclear waste warning signal
Beginning this project, I set out to improve upon existing methods of conveying warnings via sound. The main goal was to have the sound serve as a deterrent, making the environment surrounding the designated area unpleasant to be within; therefore reducing risks of any creature pressing further into the dangerous area. However, I wanted to avoid potentially harming anything hearing the sound, as is common with current alarm/warning sounds. Current alarm systems typically contain a high pitch, high amplitude noise; which has been attributed to physical damage to hearing, as well as causing mental distress to some individuals.I aimed to avoid these issues by maintaining a lower frequency and amplitude across the various sounds I incorporated. However, future-proofing the sound was also a concern, as was warding off creatures other than humans. To achieve this, I set a duplicate sound set at a high frequency, alongside a high pass filter to maintain a steady high frequency, in order to place sounds outside the human hearing range but within that of common wildlife.
In creating the warning itself, I chose to use 3 separate synth tracks. The first was 3 notes played together; creating a low droning noise, which was used to initiate a sense of unease and discomfort. The second was a small, two note beep, emulating that of a stereotypical bomb or other dangerous manmade objects. This was intended to create a feeling of danger, as well as impart a subconscious knowledge that this area was made dangerous by mankind – and this warning was put in place by them to prevent unnecessary damage. The final sound which was used was a series of 5 notes, which played in succession with an increasing pitch. I altered the attack, decay, sustain and release to all be slightly higher, as well as applying a low pass filter, in order to make it emulate a lower pitch siren/alarm. This was intended to signify nearby, but subtle danger. As opposed to a traditional siren, the sound is downplayed to indicate the presence of danger, but also instil the sense of the wider area being affected as well; hopefully promoting widespread evacuation of the danger.
References:
AEON VIDEOS l The Ray Cat Solution: https://vimeo.com/138843064
Accessed 22/07/22
Assigning Meaning to Sounds — Semiotics in the Context of Product-Sound Design: https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/chapter/10.1007/3-540-27437-5_8
Accessed 19/07/22
EAS Alarms around the world: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDXUZ1iHZ_zCoVIpydL-vMp7P48prIOha
Accessed 21/07/22
To (Phase) Cancel the Cops: An Acoustic Science of Insurrection: https://unprojects.org.au/article/to-phase-cancel-the-cops-an-acoustic-science-of-insurrection/
Accessed 21/07/22