For this soundtrack, I created a place built entirely from sound.
My mind immediately went to Chicago-a city that holds a special place in my heart because my sister lives there. Every time I visit, I genuinely enjoy myself. And that’s surprising, because I don’t usually enjoy cities. We go to museums, galleries, restaurants, parks where people are hosting random open-air ensembles, the-pier, or just walk around the city. Although I can participate in those activities in Virginia, there is a different feeling, a different vibe, a different energy that Chicago possess than Washington, D.C. It is felt that much that it has caused me to say to myself, “If I were to ever move to a big city, Chicago would potentially be at the top of my list.”
Big cities overwhelm me. The crowds, the noise, the smell, the constant motion-it can all feel too fast, too much, too draining. I have always preferred the quiet of the woods: a cabin by a lake, the sound of rain tapping the water, wildlife moving through the trees, a fire crackling inside. That’s where I feel most as peace-alone or with friends surrounded by stillness.
But for this project, I chose to step outside my comfort zone. I wanted to capture the essence of a place that is the complete opposite of where I would normally go. So, I built a sonic portrait of what I hear when in Chicago.
You will hear familiar sounds of the city:
- trains rumbling by,
- horns blaring,
- planes overhead, buses rolling through intersections,
- pedestrians chatting as they walk by,
- cars honking and revving,
- muscle & sport cars tearing down the streets,
- police sirens wailing,
- crashes erupting,
- bystanders gasping,
- and birds chirping above it all
I layered these sounds to create a dense, immersive experience-one that mirrors the sensory overload of a real city.
As you listen, you’ll notice how the soundscape moves. Trains pass from one ear to the other. Engines fade in and out. It is meant to feel like you are standing right there, in the middle of it all-no visuals, just sound. Because in the truth of the matter, we rarely hear things in isolation. In a city, everything overlaps. Some sounds dominate, others get muffled, and the environment constantly shifts.
This soundtrack captures the chaos and rhythm. I recommend listening with headphones and with your eyes closed. Let the sounds guide you. Feel the space. Picture the moment. Let your imagination fill in the rest.
This is a Audio Assignment. This assignment was based upon Create A Place
