In this lesson, you will explore how audio can enhance digital storytelling. You will learn about various types of audio and use a free online tool called AudioMass to edit and create your own audio clips.

By the end of the lesson, you will have produced a short audio piece and reflected on your learning experience.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Understand the role of audio in digital storytelling.
• Identify different types of audio, such as voiceover, sound effects, and music.
• Use AudioMass to edit audio clips, including trimming, fading, and layering.
• Source free audio resources safely and responsibly.
• Create and export your final audio file.
• Reflect on your learning.

Audio constitutes a fundamental component of digital media. It enhances narratives by introducing emotion, establishing atmosphere, and contributing to the overall storytelling process. For instance, in a video production, background music may evoke excitement or melancholy in a scene, whilst sound effects render actions more authentic and immersive. In the absence of audio, narratives often appear incomplete and less engaging.

The Significance of Audio

Audio serves to captivate audiences beyond what visuals can achieve independently. It directs emotional responses, conveys information via voiceovers, and renders content more memorable. Within the realm of digital storytelling, such as podcasts or videos, high-quality audio is essential for maintaining listener attention and interest.

Audio's Contribution to Immersion

Furthermore, audio facilitates a deeper level of immersion. It complements visual elements, creating a multisensory experience that draws the audience into the story. Consider how a suspenseful soundtrack heightens tension in a thriller, or how ambient sounds in a nature documentary transport viewers to distant locations.

Examples in Practice

• In films, orchestral scores underscore dramatic moments to amplify emotional impact.
• In video games, sound effects provide feedback on actions, enhancing interactivity.
• In advertisements, jingles create lasting impressions and brand recognition.

In digital media, audio can be categorised into several distinct types, each serving a specific purpose in enhancing narratives and engaging audiences. Understanding these types will enable you to select and apply the appropriate audio elements in your projects. Below, we outline the primary types of audio commonly utilised in digital storytelling.

Primary Types of Audio

1. Voiceover: This consists of spoken narration or commentary that provides explanations, descriptions, or storytelling. It functions similarly to a narrator in a book, guiding the audience through the content. For instance, in educational videos, a voiceover might explain complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner.
2. Sound Effects: These are artificial or recorded sounds that replicate real-world noises, such as footsteps echoing in a hallway, the creak of a door opening, or the patter of rain on a window. Sound effects add realism and immersion, making scenes feel more lifelike and helping to build atmosphere.
3. Music: This refers to instrumental or vocal compositions used as background elements to establish mood or tone. For example, upbeat music can convey joy and energy in a light-hearted story, while slow, melancholic tunes might evoke sadness or reflection.

Examples of Audio Types in Use

To illustrate, consider a video depicting a ghost story: eerie background music sets a tense mood, a spooky voiceover narrates the tale, and sound effects like creaking floors or howling wind enhance the sense of fear and realism. Similarly, in an adventure film, triumphant music might accompany a hero's victory, voiceovers could provide character thoughts, and sound effects such as sword clashes would make action sequences more dynamic.

These audio types often work together to create a cohesive and compelling experience, amplifying the impact of visual elements in digital media.

AudioMass is a free, browser-based audio editing tool that operates directly within your web browser, eliminating the need for any software downloads or installations. This makes it an accessible and convenient option for beginners to edit audio clips efficiently.

Overview of AudioMass

AudioMass provides a user-friendly interface suitable for tasks such as recording, importing, trimming, and layering audio. It supports various audio formats and allows you to work on projects without requiring an account for basic functions.

Using AudioMass 

1. Launch your preferred web browser (such as Chrome or Firefox) and navigate to the AudioMass website by clicking this link: AudioMass Online Audio Editor. The page should load quickly, showing a simple interface with options to get started.
2. Once the page loads, you will see a blank workspace. To start a new project, click File > Load Sample File if you want to practice with a sample audio, or click File > Load from computer to import an audio file from your computer. If you choose Load from Computer, a file explorer window will appear – navigate to where your audio file is saved, select it, and click Open. This will load the audio into the editor, displaying its waveform in the central area.  
3. Familiarise yourself with the interface: The central area shows the audio waveform, which is a visual graph of your sound clip. Use the mouse to click and drag on the waveform to select parts of it. Above the waveform, there is a toolbar with buttons for playback (play/pause, stop), zooming (zoom in/out to see more or less detail), and selection tools.
4. To test playback, click the play button and listen to the audio through your computer's speakers or headphones. If you need to zoom in for precise editing, click the '+' zoom button; to zoom out, click the '-' button. For undoing any changes, click Edit > Undo. 
5. If you want to record new audio, click the microphone icon in the toolbar. Grant permission for the browser to access your microphone when prompted. Speak into your microphone, and click the stop button when finished. The recorded audio will appear as a new waveform.
6. Take a moment to understand these elements, as they form the foundation for all subsequent editing tasks in this lesson. Remember, AudioMass works entirely in your browser, so your changes are saved in the session – but always export your work to keep a copy.

When working with audio in digital media, it is essential to source materials responsibly to respect copyright laws and avoid legal issues. This means using only free, royalty-free audio resources that are explicitly licensed for public use. By doing so, you ensure that your projects are ethical and original. In this step, you will learn about reliable sources for obtaining such audio and how to use them effectively in your editing process.

Importance of Responsible Sourcing

Copyright protects the rights of creators, and using protected audio without permission can lead to serious consequences. Always opt for resources that are labelled as royalty-free or under creative commons licences that allow free use. This practice not only complies with legal standards but also encourages creativity by building upon shared resources.

Recommended Sources for Free Audio 

Below is a list of trustworthy websites where you can find high-quality, free audio files. Remember to review the specific licence terms for each item to confirm it can be used in your project.

• BBC Sound Effects – A comprehensive archive of free sound effects suitable for various storytelling needs.
• Pixabay Music – An extensive collection of free music tracks across multiple genres, all available for download without attribution requirements.
• FreeSound – A community-driven platform offering user-shared sounds; always check the individual licences to ensure compatibility with your intended use.

How to Source and Use Free Audio 

To incorporate these resources into your work, follow these structured steps:

1. Visit one of the recommended websites using your web browser.
2. Use the search function to find audio that matches your project's theme, such as a specific sound effect or music genre.
3. Review the licence information to confirm it is free for use.
4. Download the file to your computer, noting its format (e.g., MP3 or WAV) for compatibility with AudioMass.
5. Import the downloaded file into your AudioMass project as you will learn in the next step.