I texten Mellan tystnader försöker jag förklara, diskutera och förstå ljudets agens i ett övergripande perspektiv och i relation till mig själv. Den första delen i texten handlar om mina upplevelser av att ha besökt två ekofria rum. Jag kommer också försöka mig på att definiera tystnad och vad tystnad anses vara för oss. Vi kan uppleva tystnader men hör vi tystnaden? Andra delen handlar om vår oförmåga att ta upp allt ljud omkring oss. Jag kommer berätta hur det var att spela in i Brunkebergstunneln i Stockholm och resonera kring vad som händer när vi spelar in ljud. Sista delen handlar om vad som händer med platsen, rummet och ljudet när vi har spelat in. Jag kommer då berätta om två verk som berör abstraktionen kring ljud på olika sätt.

Abstrakt   Tv-branschen är en jätteindustri som styrs av ett fåtal stora sändningsnätverk. I Sverige är den största distributören Sveriges Television (SVT) och på grund av detta så är sannolikheten att personer som arbetar inom ljud i Sverige någon gång kommer att arbeta på projekt för dem väldigt hög. I min uppsats har jag utfört en Actor Network-analys av empiriska studier jag utfört på postproduktionsbolaget Europa Sound and Vision. Med hjälp av analysen vill jag undersöka vad begreppet ”god hörbarhet” består av och därmed kunna definiera uttrycket tydligare. Jag jämför sedan SVTs syn på hörbarhet med den jag fått fram genom dessa studier för att till slut ändra på den nuvarande synen och på det regelverk SVT har. / Abstract The television industry is a huge industry that is governed by a few big broadcasting networks. The biggest distributer and producer of television in Sweden is Sveriges Television (SVT) and everyone working with sound will, more likely than not, work for them in a project. In this study I’ve analyzed the results of two months of empirical work, I’ve identified the actors that make up the network “God hörbarhet” (good audibility) and the reason this is interesting is for determining a more solid definition for the term “good audibility”. I’ve then put this more solid definition up against SVT’s loose definition, this only to expand on their current system and delivery specifications.

One important aspect of stage performance for non-classical singers is stage monitoring. Amplified instruments along with drums often compete in frequency and sound level which affects the audibility on stage, both in detail and as a whole. This study qualitatively examines the non-classical singer’s creation of vocal expression linked to stage monitoring by collecting experiences from both singers and sound engineers. A survey answered by 40 singers, equal men and women, and interviews with 2 sound engineers aims to display the conditions of the matter where the ability to skilled and responsive communication is essential. This is the main theme of the study. The topics discussed are non-classical singers’ creative expression linked to audio technology and vocal pedagogy, conditions of audibility in stage performance such as acoustics, genre and technical equipment used for stage monitoring. Due to audibility on stage, changes occur in the voice’s amplitude, dynamic range, timbre and pitch. Poor monitor sound make singers uncomfortable when the focus gets placed on problem-solving rather than creating an artistic expression for the audience. Adjustments in stage monitoring during a live show requires communication between the singer and sound engineer, either hidden or in plain sight, depending on the overall condition of the performance. This study suggests that stage monitoring therefore affects the quality of stage performance. Loudspeaker monitoring tends to create high sound levels on stage and due to the directional characteristics of these speakers, the singer is limited to the “sweet spot”. In-ear monitoring on the other hand is less harmful to the ears, provides a more detailed monitor-mix independent of a sweet spot. However, this creates a sense of absence as well as musical and social disconnection. A design study has therefore been constructed using a stage monitor with an unconventional directional characteristic both vertically and horizontally.