“An Audio Listener’s Guide to Adequate Hearing” is a ‘tongue-in-cheek’, audio instructional manual for your ears. Its eight episodes combine ambient music, sound design and narration (in the style of an early BBC Radio presenter) with a touch of the surreal. Each episode tackles a theme surrounding sound’s cultural and practical presence in our lives, along with spreading good practices in listening as a whole.
Chapter 1:
In the first episode, we are introduced to the concept of sound, its place in society, and given an overview of the series as a whole. Plus tracks from Warpaint; Sensible Soccers; Ronald Jenkees; M|O|O|N; and Hidden Orchestra.
Chapter 2:
In the second episode, we explore the hardware this guide came with – your ears. We also explore how sound is transmitted outside of the human body, with hardware such as speakers and headphones. Plus tracks from Brant Bjork; Boards of Canada; Cloudkicker; Aim and Badbadnotgood.
Chapter 3:
In this episode, we explore the sounds outside. The relaxing effects that the sounds of water can have on us, how true silence is lacking in nature, and how and why life makes noise. Plus tracks from Explosions In The Sky; Beak; Errors; and Hidden Orchestra.
Chapter 4:
In this episode we ask, “Why does our modern world sound so different to that of what once was? What types of sounds can you expect in any average populated area, and what impact does that have on us as people who live there?” Plus, tracks from El – P; Little People; Death In Vegas; The Dead Pirates; Conan Mockasin; Little People and Badbadnotgood.
Chapter 5:
In this chapter, we now venture into what makes us who we are. Warning, the human voice may raise blood pressure. Plus tracks from Mogwai; Badbadnotgood; Dan Bull; Gorillaz; Air and Badbadnotgood.
Chapter 6:
Alongside their voices, humans have found novel ways of making noises. We explore the world of Instrumentation and synthesizers. Plus tracks from Unknown Mortal Orchestra; Dave Brubeck Quartet; Mogwai; Jerobeam Fenderson and Xploding Plastix.
Chapter 7:
Although this guide is meant as an all in one, music is a subject that requires extensive personal research. Here you can find several approaches to understanding, discovering and enjoying music. Plus tracks from IAMTHEKIDYOUKNOWWHATIMEAN; Hot Sugar; Brank Bjork; and Mogwai.
Chapter 8:
We leave you with ways to improve the quality and etiquette of hearing. What to, and what not to listen to, how to appreciate overlooked types of hearing and how you can get the most out of your new ears. Plus tracks from Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra; Com Truise; Diplo; Mogwai; and Brontide.
Credits:
The series is written and produced by Tom Garrett (@adequatehearing).
It features the talents of voice actor Paul Enright-King. Paul has served in both the police and Royal Air Force Police, where his off duty time in the latter occupation gave him an interest in acting for fun. He currently trains adults for a living in First Aid, Customer Services and Health and Safety.
For greater excitement, and because of his previous interest, he now belongs to an amateur drama group in Northampton where he does a bit of acting and chairs their committee. He has been involved in some university short film projects, a little community radio work, and has even managed to get an audio book up for sale with a huge national retailer. Contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t breed fighting orchids, but ever since he put that into a previous bio for a laugh he has had much interest.
He is currently seeking opportunities in the VO world, so let’s see what ensues for him following the Guide to Adequate Hearing. Of the Guide Paul says, “The music in this on its own is simply wonderful, and for me personally it has been a voyage of discovery.”
Sound Vault 