8.15 am. I continued importing text and images into the bonus materials website, and began to prepare the tracks for uploading. The most challenging task at this stage is to equalise the so-called ‘apparent loudness’ of the sound files. Loudness is not synonymous with volume. For example, one could increase the objective volume of a track by, say, +3dB without noticing, subjectively, any corresponding amelioration in loudness. Indeed, one would have to increase the volume by +6dB to register a noticeably difference. This is because the scale of decibels (dB) (a unit of measure for sound intensity or level) is arranged logarithmically rather than a linearly:

In short, the best means to measure loudness is by hearing. After the process of equalisation was complete, I imported the tracks into iTunes for a test run. I still needed to confirm the running their order. (Although, I suspected, that they were as they should be, presently.) Most importantly, the compositions needed to be trialled within the context of the website on which they’ll be available as streamable and downloadable data. The point of access is the most crucial context in which to assure the sonic integrity of the content.

After noon, I made ready for a jaunt to the campus to attend a information meeting on the new personal tutorial system, which will be implemented in the next academic year. An appropriately bland, unfocused, and off-colour photograph:

On my return to the School, I had an informal conversation with one of our PhD alumni about book publishing, and how to convert a thesis into something palatable to broader audience. (The task is almost as difficult as writing-up the research in the first place.) Afterwards, I held a tutorial with one of our PhD fine art students who’s negotiating a difficult terrain between art and politics. I suspect that art and culture have more answers to, and offer greater hope for resolving, the intractable problems of our day than politics does at present.

Some observations and principles discerned from today’s engagements:

• Pattern and texture are not interchangeable terms.
• Exasperation cannot always be articulated either elegantly or persuasively. Which is why we need punch balls.
• Don’t try to be funny. Either you are or you aren’t.
• Interrogate your failures.
• The perspective of another pair of eyes is not merely desirable, it’s crucial. We each have our blind spots. And we cannot identify them ourselves. That’s why they’re called blind spots.

I responded to queries related to the first phase remix of The Bible in Translation tracks, which is currently being undertaken by the record company. The left-hand channel on a number of my masters required a +2dB boost to equalise the stereo field. I suspected as much, but needed someone else’s ear to confirm my instinct. It’s a small tweak, one to which untrained ears may be oblivious. But to the ears of a seasoned sound editor … .

In the evening, I practised the guitar over headphones while the Wales v Portugal match played out in the background. An honourable defeat. During the early night, now playing catch up myself, I began final mastering of tracks for the bonus materials album: