Dr Ahmad Faudzi Musib | UPM - Universiti Putra Malaysia (original) (raw)

Papers by Dr Ahmad Faudzi Musib

Research paper thumbnail of Ethics of Sound Quality in Online Teaching, Learning and Conferencing: Perspectives Gained During the Covid Pandemic

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Journal

Recent developments in using audiovisual software for teaching and learning are very challenging ... more Recent developments in using audiovisual software for teaching and learning are very challenging in terms of achieving a minimum of audio and visual quality. This article will focus on the correlation between visibility and audio quality of content transmission, as well as ways of making specific experiences in choosing tools and publicly accessible methods preservable. Each expert provides their personal and professional experiences concerning audio processing applied to an online learning environment, the challenges of teaching singing online, and the audiovisual preparation of online conferences. The experts work in the audiovisual archives field and are all connected through their work advocating for small-scale archives in Asia. They are frequent contributors to the IASA Journal. In this article, their most recent perspectives with ethics in sound quality will be the centre of the exchange of ideas.

Research paper thumbnail of Investigation of Acoustic and Vibrational Properties Using Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) and Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) of the Kulintangan Instruments

Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology

This study visualises the mode of the vibration of kulintangan using Electronic Speckle Pattern I... more This study visualises the mode of the vibration of kulintangan using Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) to reveal the modes. It was found that the production of sound by the kulintangan was dominated by a particular mode which may be the (0,1), (1,1), (2,2), (3,2), and (4,2) of free edge circular gong. The spectrum distribution from the strike on the kulintangan showed it. The small gong A-H has an approximately harmonic spectrum with a fundamental frequency of 1240, 1055, 934, 792, 705, 624, 474, and 422 Hz. The gong does not display a similar occurrence of harmonics due to the ruggedness of the surface texture of the gong. This finding can be of great importance to facilitate a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the sound production of musical instruments. Our research is visualising the sound sonically through PicoScope oscilloscopes and ESPI.

Research paper thumbnail of Contextual sound preservation of selected local string instruments

This thesis aims at approaches to audio field recording that forms contextual sound preservation ... more This thesis aims at approaches to audio field recording that forms contextual sound preservation under present-day conditions of wide-spread electro-acoustic enforcement applied on musical instruments, which were traditionally played in rural and/or communal settings in their special sound environments. Through the development of methods and technical possibilities, the study can contribute to high quality audio archiving that encompasses multiple sound perspectives. Thus it will help to preserve instrumental music in its sound context and document the unique relationship of the communities to it. The study is limited to a strict choice of instruments, which will play the role of a model for further applications. The study applies qualitative research methods, especially recording experiments leading to a descriptive analysis. From the fieldwork conducted, two selected local string instruments have been selected and recorded embedded in their actual sound context, namely the Bidayuh...

Research paper thumbnail of Realization of pratuokng (bamboo tube zither) repertoire among the Bidayuh of Annah Rais through frequency modulation synthesis sound modeling

Gongs are heard during Gawai celebration on first and second of June every year as an indication ... more Gongs are heard during Gawai celebration on first and second of June every year as an indication of appreciation for the harvest obtained. Gongs are a symbol of prosperity for the Bidayuh (Horsbourgh, 1858). Gong players gather and perform and are frequently joined by the traditional Bidayuh dance at an open space, 'awah' of the longhouse known as 'Kupuo'. There are three levels of tone attribute derivative from the gongs, namely 'canang', 'satu' and 'tawak'. In the community of Annah Rais, Padawan, Sarawak, there are tube zithers known as pratuokng, which contain a similar tone structure as the Bidayuh gong set and offer comparative collections. Seen from the point of view of sound preservation, the Audiovisual Research Collection for Performing Arts (ARCPA) located at the Music Department of Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM is stepping forward in developing elusive learning for a scholarly group to get to far-reaching database collections. In t...

Research paper thumbnail of Spatial acoustic-based reverberation simulation as a representable reality in the internet era

The emerging internet has indicated that modern human civilisation highly attributed by the Inter... more The emerging internet has indicated that modern human civilisation highly attributed by the Internet of Things (IoT) which is characterised by the enormous ‘big data’ captured through device sensors and mediated communication platforms. Meanwhile, there is an increasing keenness in exploring the inception of reality in the Internet Era as the scholarly discussion on how IoT potentially changes the patterns of seeing, considering and representing the reality is in high demands at present. This paper proposes workable means of representable reality by generating and re-generating acoustic data that reflect spatial properties of a designated environment through technical formulation of reverberation simulation. It also considers possible conditions of such representation, especially the process control through real-time accessibility of data directly collected from machine–machine communication via sensors, IP addresses and network connectivity. The methodological outcome of this simul...

Research paper thumbnail of A Study on Features of Different Tone Quality in a Kenong Set

Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology

This work discusses how to distinguish kenong frequencies in a signal and the time-localized freq... more This work discusses how to distinguish kenong frequencies in a signal and the time-localized frequency content for each tone at a given time using an audio-based approach to tuning retrieval where the fundamental and overtone pitch is shown at all frequencies at a given time. The method of temporal localization on the dominant frequency at its unique time for each tone allows for the detection of frequencies present in the signal. Two approaches used in retrieving the harmonic, pitch, and timbre of kenong are Picoscope and Melda analyzer. The audio recording was done using an At4050 microphone and Ur22 audio interface in mono at 24-bit resolution and 48 kHz sampling rate. PicoScope produces the spectrum while the Melda analyzer produces changes in the spectra with time. Kenong D, E, G, A, and C displayed their near overtones at (2:2.8:4.0), (2:3.0:3.9), (2:2.9:3.9), (2:2.6:3.9), and (2:2.6:3.9). Kenong D had a strong fundamental peak at 295Hz. Kenong G keeps the fundamental frequenc...

Research paper thumbnail of Gambang: The gamelan wooden xylophone

BioResources

This work investigated the ironwood used to construct a gambang, which is a traditional musical i... more This work investigated the ironwood used to construct a gambang, which is a traditional musical instrument. A gambang is constructed from a wooden bar with a similar thickness and width but a different length. The sound and established frequencies were compared with the equal tempered scale. The peak differed from the intended pitch and the partials were not always harmonic. This gambang only classified 4 octaves. The audio classification of the gambang was based on signal processing using a Picoscope oscilloscope. This article explains how wood is transformed into musical instruments. The findings revealed that the sound aspect and sound value of the wood keyboard instruments differed from the desired pitch. The third octave notes created C5, E5, E5, G5, and A5 instead of C5, D5, E5, G5, and A5, while the fourth octave pitch produced C6, D6, E6, G6, and A6# instead of C6, D6, E6, G6, and A6. Only the third and fourth octaves exhibited nearly flawless tuning for the gambang.

Research paper thumbnail of Two Years Later - The Future of Small-Scale Audiovisual Archives in Asia

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Journal

At the 2017 IASA Conference in Berlin, panellists analysed innovation and human failure in small-... more At the 2017 IASA Conference in Berlin, panellists analysed innovation and human failure in small-scale AV archives and asked the question "What do we need to learn from each other?" The many contributions to the discussion helped in overcoming difficulties that were presented. In 2019, the same panellists met again to discuss the outcomes of the learning process and to focus on the future of small-scale audiovisual archives in Asia. What makes small-scale audiovisual archives so special and different from large broadcast and national archives? What types of support networks will the future bring, and how can technical staff, archive users, administrators, and the larger community work towards an effective implementation of standards that will help to make knowledge available to all? The discussion took us to institutions in China, Laos, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and laid the groundwork to establish continuity in dedicating professional efforts to support audiovisual archive organizations in emerging and developing countries. The panel members intend to engage in further discussion and to draw attention to the weak connections between archival goals and the general understanding of continuity in some Asian institutions. This is also a creative report of the panel organizer's work as IASA Ambassador in this region.

Research paper thumbnail of Some studies on the understanding the different tones quality in a bonang set

School of Engineering, Taylor’s University, Aug 1, 2019

The acoustic spectra were carried out on a bonang set by investigating the vibration overtones. T... more The acoustic spectra were carried out on a bonang set by investigating the vibration overtones. The spectra were measured from a set of just-tuned cast bronze bonang from Indonesia (low octave bonang barung and high octave bonang penerus). The bonang was beaten with padded mallets. The acoustic spectra were recorded by PicoScope oscilloscopes. Picoscope reading are in good agreement with those from Melda analyser in Cubase version 9. Only bonang barung 2 show a greater frequency increase in the first overtone frequency (only 10% deviant from the octave). Bonang penerus 1, 4 and 5 and bonang barung 3 showed an octave from the second overtone frequency (with only 5% deviant from the octave). Bonang penerus 3, 4 and 5 sustained 3 peaks (fundamental, first overtone and second overtone frequency) from the beginning until t=1.5s. Since the two types of bonang give different data on the harmonic and pitch, therefore, the aim of the study is to identify the similarities and differences of harmonic, pitch and size as well as the functions based on tuning of the Bonang Penerus and Bonang Barung in Malay and Javanese gamelan ensemble.

Research paper thumbnail of Timbre spectrum of gamelan instruments from four Malay gamelan ensembles

pertanika journal of science and technology, 2020

Gamelan in general is categorized as a group of gongs. This traditional Malay gamelan ensemble is... more Gamelan in general is categorized as a group of gongs. This traditional Malay gamelan ensemble is in a slendro scale i.e. five notes per octave. The rhythms, pitch, duration and loudness classify the various groups of gongs such as bonang, kenong, gender, peking and gambang. The cast bronze peking, kenong and bonang were chosen from a range of

Research paper thumbnail of The Frequency Spectrum and Time Frequency Analysis of Different Violins Classification as Tools for Selecting a Good-Sounding Violin

Wacana Seni Journal of Arts Discourse, 2021

This work evaluates four violins from three distinct manufacturers, notably Eurostring, Stentor, ... more This work evaluates four violins from three distinct manufacturers, notably Eurostring, Stentor, and Suzuki, using a scientific approach. Eurostring1 and Eurostring2 were the names given to the two Eurostring units. The purpose of this study is to identify elements in various violins that could be used as tools for selecting a pleasantsounding violin by having them classified by a professional violinist. The signal’s time varying frequency was evaluated using a frequency spectrum and a time frequency plane, and the combination of frequency spectrum and time frequency domain is utilised. PicoScope oscilloscopes and Adobe Audition version 3 were used to record the acoustic spectra in terms of time and frequency. The time frequency plane is identified, and time frequency analysis (TFA) is produced by Adobe Audition spectrograms. The sound was processed in order to generate Fast Fourier Transform analysis: Fourier spectra (using PicoScope) and spectrograms (using Adobe Audition). Fourie...

Research paper thumbnail of Reviewing the Recording Quality of a Local String Instrument (Sape) from the Perspective of Sound Preservation

Although technologies have rapidly advanced in the modern world, musicians and music scholars rar... more Although technologies have rapidly advanced in the modern world, musicians and music scholars rarely understand new technologies and hence cannot comprehend the impact of recording technologies on their careers. Recordings of ethnic instruments that are available in the marketplace today show various types of timbre determined by different sampling rates, choice of microphone placements and acoustic environment. In many cases, the timbre produced in recordings of one ethnic instrument called sape is highly diversified. Music recordings available for ethnic instruments such as the sape of the Orang Ulu, Kenyah and other ethnic groups were manipulated either through the sound of the instrument itself or through the original recording that was extracted from various recording mediums, or recorded in a “mock-up” context created by producers. The effects of all these manipulations have misled listeners into thinking that what they are hearing are the original sounds of instruments such a...

Research paper thumbnail of Social scientists as users: searching for recorded sound in its environment

For social scientists, it is crucial to access complex information on sound production and the re... more For social scientists, it is crucial to access complex information on sound production and the recoring environment. They need data derived from professional recordings that help to support conventional observations. Media distributors have long-held the role of environment sounds as disturbing nuisance that had to be eliminated or suppressed. In the best / worst case, side sounds were left unchanged to create a "lively" atmosphere for an anthropological sound recording or a sound recording for a special audience to which the place of the performance is of particular interest. The coughing in a live concert or the dog barking in the background of a village ensemble became then part of the marketed item. In an archive, sound reductions hopefully not take place. Nevertheless, environmental sound inclusions, in certain recordings, are considered to be side effects of the main recording project undertaken by collectors of different disciplines who did not purposely intended to...

Research paper thumbnail of The Annah Rais Pratuokng and the Practical Appearance of Re-invented Musical Instruments

Wie wir leben wollen. Kompendium zu Technikfolgen von Digitalisierung, Vernetzung und Künstlicher Intelligenz, 2021

The Annah Rais pratuokng is a traditional musical instrument of the Bidayuh. It is also known as ... more The Annah Rais pratuokng is a traditional musical instrument of the Bidayuh. It is also known as a simple idiochord chordophone. It is made of a petung bamboo, and the sound faculty is equivalent to the functions of the Bidayuh community gong set. The sound radiator meaning is made up of tawak, satuk and canang. A similar tube zither made of bamboo, named pretong or sretong, is used by the Bidayuh of Bau. The three-string sound radiators are kromong, canang, gong, plus the tawak and gedabak. Pratuokng sound radiators are like the gongs of the Bidayuh. According to Horsbourgh's observation, "... gongs... are both a musical instrument and a representation of wealth”2. The Annah Rais Bidayuh gong set, privately owned by the villagers, can be typically played every year for ritual practice as well as for entertainment during the Gawai celebration on the first and second June. The audio collection of the Ethnology Section of the Sarawak Museum provides similar recordings from ot...

Research paper thumbnail of Extracting Audio Signals from 4-Track Analogue Tape and Digital Standalone Multitrack Machine Material as a Part of Preservation

ASIAN-EUROPEAN MUSIC RESEARCH JOURNAL, 2020

In facing ever-growing technology of audio peripherals, there is a concern of balancing in delive... more In facing ever-growing technology of audio peripherals, there is a concern of balancing in delivering technical knowledge to students dealing with audio recordings in the Music Department at Putra University, Malaysia (UPM). It seems to be difficult for them to do current multitrack recordings and at the same time maintaining the aesthetic aspect of past technology. In other words, if one preserves the recorded item, they have also to care about the specific features coming with these recordings. It is not the primary recorded subject alone they may have to consider. There is an urgency to migrate the recorded material such as cassette tapes that come in varying forms ranging from Ferric-Oxide, to Cro2, and Metal. These carriers are warranted to be extracted and migrate onto a more stable medium, not only in general as everywhere in the world, but also since it has become the university policy that equipment’s exceeding certain years will be disposed of. The selection focuses on the...

Research paper thumbnail of Innovation and Human Failure in Small-Scale Audiovisual Archives

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Journal, 2018

Based on several previous studies presented at IASA annual conferences (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2... more Based on several previous studies presented at IASA annual conferences (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017) this paper intends to summarize long-term outcomes with a focus on the innovation needed in the digital era and the possible human failure in small-scale archives such as those the authors work with in Asia. In this paper, all authors[1] follow their specific question with the purpose of contributing to an analytic view on how technology collides with or creates a sense of community. Our emphasis is on sharing positive experiences and encouraging others by honestly discussing possible failures due to various conditions. Embedding these possible failures into a wider context is part of a mutual learning process. At the same time, each author will address a different clientele of stakeholders such as educational institutions, governmental decision makers, academia, occasional users, and the AV archivists themselves. [1] The authors know each other and have networked throug...

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges of Teaching Sound Studies that Include Preservation Issues in Malaysia

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Journal, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Time frequency analysis of peking gamelan

pertanika journal of science and technology, 2020

The tone of peking 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 1' was investigated using time-frequency analysis (TFA). The fr... more The tone of peking 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 1' was investigated using time-frequency analysis (TFA). The frequencies were measured using PicoScope oscilloscope, Melda analyzer in Cubase version 9 and Adobe version 3. Three different approaches for time-frequency analysis were used: Fourier spectra (using PicoScope), spectromorphology (using Melda analyzer) and spectrograms (using Adobe). Fourier spectra only identify intensity-frequency within entire signals, while spectromorphology identify the changes of intensity-frequency spectrum at fixed time and Adobe spectrograms identify the frequency with time. PicoScope reading produces the spectra of the fundamental and overtone frequencies in the entire sound. These overtones are no n-harmonic since they are non-integral multiples of the fundamental. The fundamental frequencies of peking 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 were 1066Hz (C6), 1178Hz (D6), 1342Hz (E6), 1599Hz (G6) and 1793Hz (A6) respectively while peking 1'was 2123Hz (C7) i.e. one octave higher than peking 1. Melda analyzer reading proved that all peking sustained the initial fundamental frequency and overtone at t=0 until 2s. TFA from Adobe reading provides a description of the sound in the time-frequency plane. From TFA, peking 1, 2 and 6 exhibited a much gentler attack and more rapid decay than peking 3, 5 and 1'.

Research paper thumbnail of Sompoton: Sabah bamboo mouth organ

BioResources

This study considered the Sabah traditional bamboo musical instrument, sompoton. The fast Fourier... more This study considered the Sabah traditional bamboo musical instrument, sompoton. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) of sompoton was determined via a Pico oscilloscope. All three sompotons displayed almost similar fundamental frequencies. The individual tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 (except tube 7) of sompoton I, II, and III produced the fundamental frequency (in hertz) as 924, 758, 655, 589, 449, 407, 537, as 954, 779, 655, 614, 469, 387, 552, and as 944, 820, 655, 635, 407, 407, and 552, respectively. The averaged frequency obtained from the three sompotons (with the diatonic frequency and note in bracket) was 940.6 (932.3-A5# tube 1), 785.6 (783.9-G5 tube 2), 655 (659.2-E5 tube 3), 612.6 (622.2-D5# tube 4), 547 (554.3-C5# tube 8), 441.6 (440-A4 tube 5), and 400.3 (392-G4 tube 6). The tunings were remarkably similar in the tonal relationships. The pitch of the drone tube (tube 6) repeated an octave higher at tube 2, the intervals of perfect 4th higher at tube 8, and the intervals of ...

Research paper thumbnail of The Audiovisual Research Collection for Performing Arts (ARCPA) at Universiti Putra Malaysia: Negotiating Ethical Issues in Social Sciences

The paper introduces the history of the Audiovisual Research Collection for Performing Arts (ARCP... more The paper introduces the history of the Audiovisual Research Collection for Performing Arts (ARCPA) and its relevance to the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and to the recognition of intangible knowledge represented in creative arts. Some challenges of ARCPA's actual situa-tion as well as concrete outcomes from the viewpoint of the recordist, the researcher, and the archivist will be discussed. Further, the team wants to promote the idea of implementing basic knowledge on archiving procedures and principles into undergraduate and graduate studies across Southeast Asia in order to increase awareness towards media sensibility and responsi-bility regarding audiovisual documents used in research and serving the collective memory of the communities concerned. Each viewpoint contributes another perspective on the same task and may stimulate a differen-tiated approach to speciic needs in the process of collecting, preserving, maintaining, and giving access. The paper will help to clari...

Research paper thumbnail of Ethics of Sound Quality in Online Teaching, Learning and Conferencing: Perspectives Gained During the Covid Pandemic

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Journal

Recent developments in using audiovisual software for teaching and learning are very challenging ... more Recent developments in using audiovisual software for teaching and learning are very challenging in terms of achieving a minimum of audio and visual quality. This article will focus on the correlation between visibility and audio quality of content transmission, as well as ways of making specific experiences in choosing tools and publicly accessible methods preservable. Each expert provides their personal and professional experiences concerning audio processing applied to an online learning environment, the challenges of teaching singing online, and the audiovisual preparation of online conferences. The experts work in the audiovisual archives field and are all connected through their work advocating for small-scale archives in Asia. They are frequent contributors to the IASA Journal. In this article, their most recent perspectives with ethics in sound quality will be the centre of the exchange of ideas.

Research paper thumbnail of Investigation of Acoustic and Vibrational Properties Using Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) and Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) of the Kulintangan Instruments

Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology

This study visualises the mode of the vibration of kulintangan using Electronic Speckle Pattern I... more This study visualises the mode of the vibration of kulintangan using Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) to reveal the modes. It was found that the production of sound by the kulintangan was dominated by a particular mode which may be the (0,1), (1,1), (2,2), (3,2), and (4,2) of free edge circular gong. The spectrum distribution from the strike on the kulintangan showed it. The small gong A-H has an approximately harmonic spectrum with a fundamental frequency of 1240, 1055, 934, 792, 705, 624, 474, and 422 Hz. The gong does not display a similar occurrence of harmonics due to the ruggedness of the surface texture of the gong. This finding can be of great importance to facilitate a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the sound production of musical instruments. Our research is visualising the sound sonically through PicoScope oscilloscopes and ESPI.

Research paper thumbnail of Contextual sound preservation of selected local string instruments

This thesis aims at approaches to audio field recording that forms contextual sound preservation ... more This thesis aims at approaches to audio field recording that forms contextual sound preservation under present-day conditions of wide-spread electro-acoustic enforcement applied on musical instruments, which were traditionally played in rural and/or communal settings in their special sound environments. Through the development of methods and technical possibilities, the study can contribute to high quality audio archiving that encompasses multiple sound perspectives. Thus it will help to preserve instrumental music in its sound context and document the unique relationship of the communities to it. The study is limited to a strict choice of instruments, which will play the role of a model for further applications. The study applies qualitative research methods, especially recording experiments leading to a descriptive analysis. From the fieldwork conducted, two selected local string instruments have been selected and recorded embedded in their actual sound context, namely the Bidayuh...

Research paper thumbnail of Realization of pratuokng (bamboo tube zither) repertoire among the Bidayuh of Annah Rais through frequency modulation synthesis sound modeling

Gongs are heard during Gawai celebration on first and second of June every year as an indication ... more Gongs are heard during Gawai celebration on first and second of June every year as an indication of appreciation for the harvest obtained. Gongs are a symbol of prosperity for the Bidayuh (Horsbourgh, 1858). Gong players gather and perform and are frequently joined by the traditional Bidayuh dance at an open space, 'awah' of the longhouse known as 'Kupuo'. There are three levels of tone attribute derivative from the gongs, namely 'canang', 'satu' and 'tawak'. In the community of Annah Rais, Padawan, Sarawak, there are tube zithers known as pratuokng, which contain a similar tone structure as the Bidayuh gong set and offer comparative collections. Seen from the point of view of sound preservation, the Audiovisual Research Collection for Performing Arts (ARCPA) located at the Music Department of Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM is stepping forward in developing elusive learning for a scholarly group to get to far-reaching database collections. In t...

Research paper thumbnail of Spatial acoustic-based reverberation simulation as a representable reality in the internet era

The emerging internet has indicated that modern human civilisation highly attributed by the Inter... more The emerging internet has indicated that modern human civilisation highly attributed by the Internet of Things (IoT) which is characterised by the enormous ‘big data’ captured through device sensors and mediated communication platforms. Meanwhile, there is an increasing keenness in exploring the inception of reality in the Internet Era as the scholarly discussion on how IoT potentially changes the patterns of seeing, considering and representing the reality is in high demands at present. This paper proposes workable means of representable reality by generating and re-generating acoustic data that reflect spatial properties of a designated environment through technical formulation of reverberation simulation. It also considers possible conditions of such representation, especially the process control through real-time accessibility of data directly collected from machine–machine communication via sensors, IP addresses and network connectivity. The methodological outcome of this simul...

Research paper thumbnail of A Study on Features of Different Tone Quality in a Kenong Set

Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology

This work discusses how to distinguish kenong frequencies in a signal and the time-localized freq... more This work discusses how to distinguish kenong frequencies in a signal and the time-localized frequency content for each tone at a given time using an audio-based approach to tuning retrieval where the fundamental and overtone pitch is shown at all frequencies at a given time. The method of temporal localization on the dominant frequency at its unique time for each tone allows for the detection of frequencies present in the signal. Two approaches used in retrieving the harmonic, pitch, and timbre of kenong are Picoscope and Melda analyzer. The audio recording was done using an At4050 microphone and Ur22 audio interface in mono at 24-bit resolution and 48 kHz sampling rate. PicoScope produces the spectrum while the Melda analyzer produces changes in the spectra with time. Kenong D, E, G, A, and C displayed their near overtones at (2:2.8:4.0), (2:3.0:3.9), (2:2.9:3.9), (2:2.6:3.9), and (2:2.6:3.9). Kenong D had a strong fundamental peak at 295Hz. Kenong G keeps the fundamental frequenc...

Research paper thumbnail of Gambang: The gamelan wooden xylophone

BioResources

This work investigated the ironwood used to construct a gambang, which is a traditional musical i... more This work investigated the ironwood used to construct a gambang, which is a traditional musical instrument. A gambang is constructed from a wooden bar with a similar thickness and width but a different length. The sound and established frequencies were compared with the equal tempered scale. The peak differed from the intended pitch and the partials were not always harmonic. This gambang only classified 4 octaves. The audio classification of the gambang was based on signal processing using a Picoscope oscilloscope. This article explains how wood is transformed into musical instruments. The findings revealed that the sound aspect and sound value of the wood keyboard instruments differed from the desired pitch. The third octave notes created C5, E5, E5, G5, and A5 instead of C5, D5, E5, G5, and A5, while the fourth octave pitch produced C6, D6, E6, G6, and A6# instead of C6, D6, E6, G6, and A6. Only the third and fourth octaves exhibited nearly flawless tuning for the gambang.

Research paper thumbnail of Two Years Later - The Future of Small-Scale Audiovisual Archives in Asia

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Journal

At the 2017 IASA Conference in Berlin, panellists analysed innovation and human failure in small-... more At the 2017 IASA Conference in Berlin, panellists analysed innovation and human failure in small-scale AV archives and asked the question "What do we need to learn from each other?" The many contributions to the discussion helped in overcoming difficulties that were presented. In 2019, the same panellists met again to discuss the outcomes of the learning process and to focus on the future of small-scale audiovisual archives in Asia. What makes small-scale audiovisual archives so special and different from large broadcast and national archives? What types of support networks will the future bring, and how can technical staff, archive users, administrators, and the larger community work towards an effective implementation of standards that will help to make knowledge available to all? The discussion took us to institutions in China, Laos, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and laid the groundwork to establish continuity in dedicating professional efforts to support audiovisual archive organizations in emerging and developing countries. The panel members intend to engage in further discussion and to draw attention to the weak connections between archival goals and the general understanding of continuity in some Asian institutions. This is also a creative report of the panel organizer's work as IASA Ambassador in this region.

Research paper thumbnail of Some studies on the understanding the different tones quality in a bonang set

School of Engineering, Taylor’s University, Aug 1, 2019

The acoustic spectra were carried out on a bonang set by investigating the vibration overtones. T... more The acoustic spectra were carried out on a bonang set by investigating the vibration overtones. The spectra were measured from a set of just-tuned cast bronze bonang from Indonesia (low octave bonang barung and high octave bonang penerus). The bonang was beaten with padded mallets. The acoustic spectra were recorded by PicoScope oscilloscopes. Picoscope reading are in good agreement with those from Melda analyser in Cubase version 9. Only bonang barung 2 show a greater frequency increase in the first overtone frequency (only 10% deviant from the octave). Bonang penerus 1, 4 and 5 and bonang barung 3 showed an octave from the second overtone frequency (with only 5% deviant from the octave). Bonang penerus 3, 4 and 5 sustained 3 peaks (fundamental, first overtone and second overtone frequency) from the beginning until t=1.5s. Since the two types of bonang give different data on the harmonic and pitch, therefore, the aim of the study is to identify the similarities and differences of harmonic, pitch and size as well as the functions based on tuning of the Bonang Penerus and Bonang Barung in Malay and Javanese gamelan ensemble.

Research paper thumbnail of Timbre spectrum of gamelan instruments from four Malay gamelan ensembles

pertanika journal of science and technology, 2020

Gamelan in general is categorized as a group of gongs. This traditional Malay gamelan ensemble is... more Gamelan in general is categorized as a group of gongs. This traditional Malay gamelan ensemble is in a slendro scale i.e. five notes per octave. The rhythms, pitch, duration and loudness classify the various groups of gongs such as bonang, kenong, gender, peking and gambang. The cast bronze peking, kenong and bonang were chosen from a range of

Research paper thumbnail of The Frequency Spectrum and Time Frequency Analysis of Different Violins Classification as Tools for Selecting a Good-Sounding Violin

Wacana Seni Journal of Arts Discourse, 2021

This work evaluates four violins from three distinct manufacturers, notably Eurostring, Stentor, ... more This work evaluates four violins from three distinct manufacturers, notably Eurostring, Stentor, and Suzuki, using a scientific approach. Eurostring1 and Eurostring2 were the names given to the two Eurostring units. The purpose of this study is to identify elements in various violins that could be used as tools for selecting a pleasantsounding violin by having them classified by a professional violinist. The signal’s time varying frequency was evaluated using a frequency spectrum and a time frequency plane, and the combination of frequency spectrum and time frequency domain is utilised. PicoScope oscilloscopes and Adobe Audition version 3 were used to record the acoustic spectra in terms of time and frequency. The time frequency plane is identified, and time frequency analysis (TFA) is produced by Adobe Audition spectrograms. The sound was processed in order to generate Fast Fourier Transform analysis: Fourier spectra (using PicoScope) and spectrograms (using Adobe Audition). Fourie...

Research paper thumbnail of Reviewing the Recording Quality of a Local String Instrument (Sape) from the Perspective of Sound Preservation

Although technologies have rapidly advanced in the modern world, musicians and music scholars rar... more Although technologies have rapidly advanced in the modern world, musicians and music scholars rarely understand new technologies and hence cannot comprehend the impact of recording technologies on their careers. Recordings of ethnic instruments that are available in the marketplace today show various types of timbre determined by different sampling rates, choice of microphone placements and acoustic environment. In many cases, the timbre produced in recordings of one ethnic instrument called sape is highly diversified. Music recordings available for ethnic instruments such as the sape of the Orang Ulu, Kenyah and other ethnic groups were manipulated either through the sound of the instrument itself or through the original recording that was extracted from various recording mediums, or recorded in a “mock-up” context created by producers. The effects of all these manipulations have misled listeners into thinking that what they are hearing are the original sounds of instruments such a...

Research paper thumbnail of Social scientists as users: searching for recorded sound in its environment

For social scientists, it is crucial to access complex information on sound production and the re... more For social scientists, it is crucial to access complex information on sound production and the recoring environment. They need data derived from professional recordings that help to support conventional observations. Media distributors have long-held the role of environment sounds as disturbing nuisance that had to be eliminated or suppressed. In the best / worst case, side sounds were left unchanged to create a "lively" atmosphere for an anthropological sound recording or a sound recording for a special audience to which the place of the performance is of particular interest. The coughing in a live concert or the dog barking in the background of a village ensemble became then part of the marketed item. In an archive, sound reductions hopefully not take place. Nevertheless, environmental sound inclusions, in certain recordings, are considered to be side effects of the main recording project undertaken by collectors of different disciplines who did not purposely intended to...

Research paper thumbnail of The Annah Rais Pratuokng and the Practical Appearance of Re-invented Musical Instruments

Wie wir leben wollen. Kompendium zu Technikfolgen von Digitalisierung, Vernetzung und Künstlicher Intelligenz, 2021

The Annah Rais pratuokng is a traditional musical instrument of the Bidayuh. It is also known as ... more The Annah Rais pratuokng is a traditional musical instrument of the Bidayuh. It is also known as a simple idiochord chordophone. It is made of a petung bamboo, and the sound faculty is equivalent to the functions of the Bidayuh community gong set. The sound radiator meaning is made up of tawak, satuk and canang. A similar tube zither made of bamboo, named pretong or sretong, is used by the Bidayuh of Bau. The three-string sound radiators are kromong, canang, gong, plus the tawak and gedabak. Pratuokng sound radiators are like the gongs of the Bidayuh. According to Horsbourgh's observation, "... gongs... are both a musical instrument and a representation of wealth”2. The Annah Rais Bidayuh gong set, privately owned by the villagers, can be typically played every year for ritual practice as well as for entertainment during the Gawai celebration on the first and second June. The audio collection of the Ethnology Section of the Sarawak Museum provides similar recordings from ot...

Research paper thumbnail of Extracting Audio Signals from 4-Track Analogue Tape and Digital Standalone Multitrack Machine Material as a Part of Preservation

ASIAN-EUROPEAN MUSIC RESEARCH JOURNAL, 2020

In facing ever-growing technology of audio peripherals, there is a concern of balancing in delive... more In facing ever-growing technology of audio peripherals, there is a concern of balancing in delivering technical knowledge to students dealing with audio recordings in the Music Department at Putra University, Malaysia (UPM). It seems to be difficult for them to do current multitrack recordings and at the same time maintaining the aesthetic aspect of past technology. In other words, if one preserves the recorded item, they have also to care about the specific features coming with these recordings. It is not the primary recorded subject alone they may have to consider. There is an urgency to migrate the recorded material such as cassette tapes that come in varying forms ranging from Ferric-Oxide, to Cro2, and Metal. These carriers are warranted to be extracted and migrate onto a more stable medium, not only in general as everywhere in the world, but also since it has become the university policy that equipment’s exceeding certain years will be disposed of. The selection focuses on the...

Research paper thumbnail of Innovation and Human Failure in Small-Scale Audiovisual Archives

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Journal, 2018

Based on several previous studies presented at IASA annual conferences (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2... more Based on several previous studies presented at IASA annual conferences (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017) this paper intends to summarize long-term outcomes with a focus on the innovation needed in the digital era and the possible human failure in small-scale archives such as those the authors work with in Asia. In this paper, all authors[1] follow their specific question with the purpose of contributing to an analytic view on how technology collides with or creates a sense of community. Our emphasis is on sharing positive experiences and encouraging others by honestly discussing possible failures due to various conditions. Embedding these possible failures into a wider context is part of a mutual learning process. At the same time, each author will address a different clientele of stakeholders such as educational institutions, governmental decision makers, academia, occasional users, and the AV archivists themselves. [1] The authors know each other and have networked throug...

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges of Teaching Sound Studies that Include Preservation Issues in Malaysia

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) Journal, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Time frequency analysis of peking gamelan

pertanika journal of science and technology, 2020

The tone of peking 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 1' was investigated using time-frequency analysis (TFA). The fr... more The tone of peking 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 1' was investigated using time-frequency analysis (TFA). The frequencies were measured using PicoScope oscilloscope, Melda analyzer in Cubase version 9 and Adobe version 3. Three different approaches for time-frequency analysis were used: Fourier spectra (using PicoScope), spectromorphology (using Melda analyzer) and spectrograms (using Adobe). Fourier spectra only identify intensity-frequency within entire signals, while spectromorphology identify the changes of intensity-frequency spectrum at fixed time and Adobe spectrograms identify the frequency with time. PicoScope reading produces the spectra of the fundamental and overtone frequencies in the entire sound. These overtones are no n-harmonic since they are non-integral multiples of the fundamental. The fundamental frequencies of peking 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 were 1066Hz (C6), 1178Hz (D6), 1342Hz (E6), 1599Hz (G6) and 1793Hz (A6) respectively while peking 1'was 2123Hz (C7) i.e. one octave higher than peking 1. Melda analyzer reading proved that all peking sustained the initial fundamental frequency and overtone at t=0 until 2s. TFA from Adobe reading provides a description of the sound in the time-frequency plane. From TFA, peking 1, 2 and 6 exhibited a much gentler attack and more rapid decay than peking 3, 5 and 1'.

Research paper thumbnail of Sompoton: Sabah bamboo mouth organ

BioResources

This study considered the Sabah traditional bamboo musical instrument, sompoton. The fast Fourier... more This study considered the Sabah traditional bamboo musical instrument, sompoton. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) of sompoton was determined via a Pico oscilloscope. All three sompotons displayed almost similar fundamental frequencies. The individual tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 (except tube 7) of sompoton I, II, and III produced the fundamental frequency (in hertz) as 924, 758, 655, 589, 449, 407, 537, as 954, 779, 655, 614, 469, 387, 552, and as 944, 820, 655, 635, 407, 407, and 552, respectively. The averaged frequency obtained from the three sompotons (with the diatonic frequency and note in bracket) was 940.6 (932.3-A5# tube 1), 785.6 (783.9-G5 tube 2), 655 (659.2-E5 tube 3), 612.6 (622.2-D5# tube 4), 547 (554.3-C5# tube 8), 441.6 (440-A4 tube 5), and 400.3 (392-G4 tube 6). The tunings were remarkably similar in the tonal relationships. The pitch of the drone tube (tube 6) repeated an octave higher at tube 2, the intervals of perfect 4th higher at tube 8, and the intervals of ...

Research paper thumbnail of The Audiovisual Research Collection for Performing Arts (ARCPA) at Universiti Putra Malaysia: Negotiating Ethical Issues in Social Sciences

The paper introduces the history of the Audiovisual Research Collection for Performing Arts (ARCP... more The paper introduces the history of the Audiovisual Research Collection for Performing Arts (ARCPA) and its relevance to the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and to the recognition of intangible knowledge represented in creative arts. Some challenges of ARCPA's actual situa-tion as well as concrete outcomes from the viewpoint of the recordist, the researcher, and the archivist will be discussed. Further, the team wants to promote the idea of implementing basic knowledge on archiving procedures and principles into undergraduate and graduate studies across Southeast Asia in order to increase awareness towards media sensibility and responsi-bility regarding audiovisual documents used in research and serving the collective memory of the communities concerned. Each viewpoint contributes another perspective on the same task and may stimulate a differen-tiated approach to speciic needs in the process of collecting, preserving, maintaining, and giving access. The paper will help to clari...