Creating sounds for gadgets, machinery, and weapons beyond any mundane character they may have as ordinary objects is a core task of sound effects design. To be sure, there are many of these core tasks, or categories, that most of our work as designers falls into. Creatures and Monsters, Alien Planets, Future Tech, and Comic Book Violence effects are examples of some others. … [Read more...]
Bruce Tanis Special: Creepy Forests in Broad Daylight
Here's an example of a common scene from a suspense film or TV show: A woman walks alone to her car late at night down a long, dark alley. Shooting a scene to play as late at night or in a deserted location is common film language for creating suspense or tension. Sometimes, though, the opposite approach can be very successful as well. Creepy scenes don't always have to be set … [Read more...]
Bruce Tanis Special: Using Default Audio Suite Plugins in Pro Tools
I gave up a quasi-staff position nearly a decade ago in order to pursue a career as a freelance sound effects editor. Certainly, there are positives and negatives to both of these paths but, at the time, I was being offered a one-film job at a different facility from the company where I'd been working for a few years. I had pretty much reached the highest plateau available to … [Read more...]
More "Singularity" Sound: Dynamic Range Treatment
The guys at Raven Software published another great post on the Dev Diary of Singularity. This time the turn is for audio lead Mark Kilborn, who talks about the mix approach and the dynamic range on the game. Check: When you play Singularity for the first time, you may notice that parts of the game are much quieter than others. You’re hearing this because we’re working with what … [Read more...]
AudioMedia – Game Sound Special 2010
The July's Issue of AudioMedia is also available for viewing online (or download) now, including a very cool Game Sound Special featuring: The Sound of "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" 20 Years and Beyond - Dan Bardino glances at where games audio has come from, and peeks at the future Games - A Serious Business - Richard Wilson talks about TIGA All in the Mix - Garry Taylor … [Read more...]
The Sound of "Inception"
The July's Issue of Mix Magazine includes an article about the sound of "Inception", the upcoming film of Christopher Nolan. The article contains some spoilers, so maybe would you like to see the film first. Becauseof the overwhelming success of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan is viewed in popular circles as a premier “popcorn movie” director, delivering … [Read more...]
Bruce Tanis Special: Using Accidents in Field Recording
Today, I'd like to share some observations about using accidents that occur in field recordings and things that sometimes get recorded unintentionally. No, I'm not talking about going back to the edit bay and finding out you've surprisingly recorded a talkative ghost. Although, that would be pretty cool. What I find interesting about field recording is that things often occur … [Read more...]