When I think lo-fi, I think lo-fi sci-fi. I think of games like Alien Isolation, Bioshock, SOMA. Films like Alien and Blade Runner. I think of gritty, chunky sounds. Interfaces or devices that click and clatter and that have been through the ringer more than once. I think what makes lo-fi sci-fi so great is how everything seems to be grounded in some sort of … [Read more...]
Voice User Interfaces in Film and Reality
When thinking of voice user interfaces as pure technology, it may not sound appealing to some of us who are in this business for the art. Even when thinking of the technology behind the art, it is comprehensive why some people would shy away from it. What’s compelling about VUIs, however, is not necessarily the ones and zeros that magically enable machines to speak to us; … [Read more...]
LoFi Sounds in a High Tech World.
The topic for the month is LoFi and I'm just having my morning coffee. Before taking this further, it would probably be worthwhile to define LoFi. HiFi is high fidelity and LoFi is low fidelity. A quick google search for the definition of fidelity, and I came up with “the degree of exactness with which something is copied or reproduced”, while dictionary.com had a … [Read more...]
Monthly Theme: LoFi 2018
"LoFi" is a concept I am rather intrigued by. "LoFi" to me can mean creative, aesthetic, and technical limitations to a project. It can also mean "old", in terms of resolution, fidelity, and durability. There is a bit of resurgence (or did it ever really go away) of using old media like vinyl, cassette, and reel to reel tape in music--but not necessarily in "pro" sound … [Read more...]
Character Space: Defining Characters with Sound
In games we have a chance to bring characters to life unlike film and television. They can occupy their own space and exist within a more fleshed out and breathing world. Sound enhances that experience both providing key game play information and enriching the overall experience. Here I'll go into how to begin the process of creating unique character sounds that … [Read more...]
EQ as a Sound Design Tool
Ah EQ. The first type of DSP you learned how to use in school to make your sounds clean, bright, warm, etc. EQ is so much more interesting and powerful than just changing tonal balance though and I want to really focus on some of the crazy sound design we can do with an EQ, some by exploiting the DSP going on under the hood that makes an EQ work. I'll be going through some of … [Read more...]
The Invisible Character
This guest post comes to us from Natalia Saavedra Brychcy, a freelance sound designer based in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, working remotely for different studios in Los Angeles and New York City. Natalia has been a sound effects editor/sound designer for over 4 years, working on a wide array of projects from all over the world. We’re in a big room, the lights … [Read more...]