Welcome to Ambiences month here on Designing Sound. Often referred to as Atmospheres or Backgrounds as well, this element of a program mix deserves more attention than it commonly receives. Though not as present as dialog or hard-synced sound effects, their contribution to the tone “in-the-moment” narrative is no less important. Look for the first featured article in a few short hours.
And because I said we would, December’s theme will be Reverb. If you have an article idea you’d like to pitch, for either this month or next, shoot me an e-mail at shaun.at.designingsound.org.
This has just made my November, Ambience and atmosphere sound is one of my favourite areas of post production audio.
I love how the whole feel and tone of a scene can either be enhanced or completely changed with ambience, It’s all about details and subtle sounds placed at the right time.
I am very much looking forward to this topic, and indeed the new structure of topics every month. This will provide great insight from many angles on the subjects raised.
Thanks all.
Graham
I am eagerly waiting and looking forward for upcoming article ” ambience and atmosphere” .
This is so good! Specially in video games, the atmospheres and the small, multiple elements that build them, set the tone for the player in a way other elements can’t.
Look forward to read/listen more about it.
I’ve been thinking about ambience alot lately and how it relates to contemporary film. I have been reading “Beyond Dolby” by Mark Kerins and he brings up some interesting ideas about how the use of ambience and surround mixing has changed films’ visuals. Establishing shots have been reduced as the ambience in a scene now establishes location.