Paper Design Prototypes and Methodology

The various research materials, accumulated into design concepts;

The project will entail of the development of a sound design process to transform human vocalisations into that of animals, using theories that bring together biological knowledge, along with sound synthesis. 

The project will work with a media studies element and practice-based component working concurrently. This will then be concluded by a quantitative element in the form of a scientific experiment consisting of a simple listening test.

Literature Review - Source-Filter Theory

A nice find for my literature review and for my methodology, Fant's Source-Filter theory details sound production from an angle that draws strong parallels with that of Subtractive synthesis. As Subtractive synthesis deals with the principle of an excitation source and resonator, the Source-Filter theory deals with the larynx and the vocal tract - Essentially viewed upon as a "Source" and a "Filter" respectively.

This approach would help underline the project design, splitting up the ways to attempt processing the human vocal sound to become a big cat.

Relevant texts;

1. Fant, G. (1960). Acoustic theory of speech production. The Hague: Mouton.
2. Taylor, A. and Reby, D. 2010. The contribution of source–filter theory to mammal vocal communication research. Journal of Zoology. 280(3) pp.221-236.
3. Titze, I. 1994. Principles of vocal production. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.

Additional research

Quote amazed I haven't found this till now 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01b9jny/Nature_Series_5_In_search_of_the_Tiger_s_Roar/

Although I have found a lot of interesting sound design examples.
This brief breakdown courtesy of World of Warcraft shows the sound of a creature in its final form, but also isolates the sounds building blocks.
For this example it includes a voice actor, a bear and a tiger.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/9135372/

Dehumaniser

Developed by Orfeas Boteas, Dehumaniser is a sound design tool that can manipulate a live input in real time, with the intention of being applied to sounds created by the human voice. It can function as a standalone application or be re-wired for use with digital audio workstations, such as Cubase and Reaper.

Designed entirely in Cycling '74's Max.

http://cycling74.com/project/dehumaniser/

Interview

http://www.eca.ed.ac.uk/news-events/graduate-interview-orfeas-boteas

Review

http://www.askaudiomag.com/articles/review-dehumanizer

http://dehumaniser.com/

Prototype Screenshots Max

Critical Feedback

Had another session with my mentor outlining my current research and development, during this I; 

• Explained the possibility of submitting my research brief to the Royal Zoological Society in order to get recording access; http://www.rzss.org.uk/research/your-research The main set-back for this would be the delay and loss of time, in which I could be a month or indeed a couple before I got through all the hoops for getting a research pass. The recordings that as a result of this could also be potentially lack luster, when compared with professional authentic recordings.   

The motivation behinds sourcing my own recordings, would of been to obtain sounds that were unmodified by production techniques to get a "real" representation of the natural sound.

The aim for the project still stands as a reasonable research outline. However the lack of a definitive methodology was a strong area of concern (for which the core of the project would need to be developed and modified according to). 
My lecturer gave me with a great resource in Curtis Roads Computer Music Tutorial which provides a really comprehensive guide for the likes of sound synthesis and it derivatives such as Subtractive synthesis, Wavetable synthesis, Formant synthesis, etc. 
An understanding with these synthesis principals will inform my projects conduct and from which I can select a method(s) to conduct it with. I.e; Subtractive Synthesis.

Zoo

Investigated the possibility of conducting research with the Zoological Society in order to obtain animal recordings for analysis. 
Lecturer feedback highlighted an observation that conducting my own recordings might not be the best allocation of my time and resources, given the waiting time to receive a research pass, and also the fact given the nature of my topic, the animals recordings would turn out pretty poorly.