SOUVIK CHAKRABORT Y
ASMR!
FOUR LETTERS THAT BLEW UP THE INTERNET
In this age of digital boom, the importance of good content
has been paramount. The virality of long format and short
format content is at an all-time high. The possibilities are
amplified by the innovative content creators of our times.
While most of these creators deal with video storytelling
techniques, there are a lot many others who are ruling
the roost with a very different set of videos on social
media. These videos are different than the rest, owing
to the use of sound in their content. The world of ASMR
(autonomous sensory meridian response) has been
weirdly refreshing for its content and presentation.
If you are someone who misses some quality tactile
response in your body. And, long for the whispers of a light
voice or the rustles of a feather touching your skin, or the
sound of earlobes fondled. Then listening to the relaxing
sounds of ASMR videos, should definitely help you out.
If you look up the term ASMR, you may not find its lineage
much farther than the year 2010. It was Jennifer Allen who
had coined the word in a Facebook group, to basically,
define the tingling sensation of a human body to a certain
kind of sound. And, ever since, it has been the fad in social
media. To test the waters through various waves of sound!
While many would consider the kind of videos to be always
of a sexual connotation, it may not necessarily be the case
always. There are videos where a hairdryer had been on for
a couple of hours, or a brush has been rubbed against a glass
bowl for thirty minutes. These ASMR videos have been a tool
for relaxation for even those who have otherwise complained
of sleepless nights or troubled thoughts in their solitary hours.
While this is a general introduction to the world
of ASMR. This article is meant for understanding
the aural part of these kinds of productions.
The first and the foremost thing to be considered is a good
filter for your microphones. There should not be any self-
noise from the microphones. The microphones should
be free from any hissing, humming, crackling or other
white noises. Since most of the sounds captured are on a
low level, it is imperative that the fidelity of the audio is
maintained right at the incidence. In respect to the technical
specifications; a value of 15dBA or lesser should usually
give the best output. It's believed that an S/N ratio of 80 dB
or above, is usually considered the best for ASMR videos.
Based on the kind of content, a creator is wanting to produce.
The microphones would vary, in their construction and
usage. Though, the condenser microphones are considered
to be the best in this category of videos, many creators might
not be able to afford one at an early level in their career.
For a sound of brushing, tapping or any random sounds,
one can opt to use an omnidirectional piece of microphones.
These mics are known for capturing the sounds equally
from all the directions. A better feature would be the
ability to select from multiple polar patterns.
For a three dimensional
effect on a two-dimensional
output, a lot of the content
creators are turning towards
the binaural microphones.
These audio pieces usually
have two microphones,
with a bridging space in
between them. Each of the
two microphones captures
the left and the right audio
channel separately. The
binaural ASMR videos are
so popular, that they have
almost grown out as an
individual genre amongst
the various creators on
social media. These kind
of microphones are being
frequented in the production
of different sounds like
whispering, talking
and other interesting
buckets of content.
36
The
Score Magazine
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