What is the essence of sound design? It is widely accepted that individuals who are visually impaired develop the ability to hear heightened detail and extract deeper levels of information through their other senses, in which hearing/sound is a large part. For many of us, the sounds we regularly design are for the distinct purpose of supporting, and enhancing the context … [Read more...]
Adventures in SFX – Creating Port of Call
Michael Raphael has been recording and releasing high res sound effect collections for sound designers and editors since 2010. His site Rabbit Ears Audio covers such diverse sonic ground as Hind Helicopters, train whistles, and typewriters. In a recent collaboration with Audio Director Rob Bridgett he has released a new library called Port of Call and they've kindly offered to … [Read more...]
Spectral Analysis: Interview with Gordon Durity
Many thanks to Brad Dyck for contributing this interview. You can follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Dyck Gordon Durity is the Executive Audio Director of the EA Audioworks team, which supports the audio development of the upcoming Need for Speed release available on November 3rd, 2015 for PS4 and Xbox One (PC due in the spring of 2016). I’d like to extend my thanks to Gordon for … [Read more...]
News: How to Create Horror Sound Effects
In an appropriately seasonal blog post over at A Sound Effect, Asbjoern speaks to Saro Sahihi of SoundBits, a boutique SFX library and sound design company. Saro, who has released some excellent gore SFX libraries, goes in-depth on how to achieve some truly squishy, wrenching, and disgusting gore sounds for all your horror needs. He even touches on some other horror mainstays, … [Read more...]
News: Sound Decision – Inside the world of audio branding
User Interface sounds are a breed of their own. Some clearly represent their actions, such as the epochal 'door opening' to indicate a contact has logged on or the equally attention-grabbing announcement that "you've got mail," which rationalized why you had to tie up the phone line another five minutes. Other sounds attempt to bind emotions to their actions; the wistful start … [Read more...]
News: Designing Sound Meetup at the 139th AES Convention
It's that time of year again! If you’re attending the 139th AES Convention next week in New York City, come join us at 8:00 pm on Thursday, 29 October at Alfie’s Bar and Kitchen, located at 800 Ninth Ave on the corner of Ninth Ave and W 53rd St. If you plan on stopping by, please RSVP using the form at the end of this article. If you are not attending the AES Convention, but … [Read more...]
News: Behind the Scenes with Plants vs. Zombies 2 Neon Mixtape Tour
Considering the newest Plants vs. Zombies 2 release has the word "mixtape" in the name, there was never any doubt that music would play a big role in the game's experience. And as anyone who closely follows PopCap Games and their audio obsession, they're not a company that does something halfway when it comes to sound or music. That's why its a real treat that PvZ2 Neon Mixtape … [Read more...]