Here are the answers to the questions that some of you made to Andrew Lackey. Designing Sound Reader: I have technical question regarding monitor placement and stereo imaging. In most studios (like my own) the monitors are some distance to the left and right of my two computer monitors, where most of the time on the right one the movie is displayed. Andrew Lackey: When I have … [Read more...]
Andrew Lackey Special: 11 Field Recording Tips
Sound recordists are a special breed. On a recent trip to Zambia, the safari guides were very interested in the sound I recorded of the animals and villager’s ceremonial drumming. Apparently no one ever records sounds there. Here are 11 general tips from my experience field recording for film, games, music and fun. 1) Put together a really great rig. Building your rig is … [Read more...]
Andrew Lackey Special: Surviving the Crunch; Being Healthy Sound Designers
For many of us, this time of year is about spending time with family and friends; the other "half" of the life balance. I jokingly put half in quotes because that "half" can look a lot more like a sliver on the pie chart during some projects. One of the dicier topics in our industry is "The Crunch": the final weeks or months of a project where there aren't enough hours in … [Read more...]
Andrew Lackey Special: Top 5 Audio Tools for Christmas (but don't yet exist)
For the most part, Sound Designers use borrowed tools. Most audio software has its basis in music, and through the years features have been added for linear post production and surround sound. Particularly in the areas of interactive sound design and surround sound there are big time needs for audio software development. Here's my Christmas list: 1. Sample Bank Audio … [Read more...]
Andrew Lackey Special: Dead Space [Exclusive Interview]
![Andrew Lackey Special: Dead Space [Exclusive Interview]](https://designingsound.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/4190858832_021536254f_o-150x150.png)
Dead Space is one of my favorite videogames and the sound there is really amazing. We have already seen good info about the sound of Dead Space, but here are some more specific questions from an interview that I had with Andrew Lackey, Check it! Designing Sound: First of all, tell us exactly what was your job on Dead Space. Andrew Lackey: I was one of three sound designers on … [Read more...]
Andrew Lackey Special: Foley Sessions for Games
Andrew Lackey has a lot of experience with foley. Let's check this article from Wabi Sabi Sound (Andrew's company) about the approach of foley sessions in game audio production: A foley recording session can be a great way to get tons of unique material for your game. However many colleagues complain to me that their sessions were a bust. Their sessions didn’t go well and the … [Read more...]
Andrew Lackey Special: Personal Approach to Sound Design
Writing a piece on my approach to sound design is trickier than I thought it'd be. Being purely technical isn't any fun. Creativity needs skill to thrive, so being overly philosophical was just noise. Plus no one works in a vacuum, so how does process and influence fit in? After a few failed attempts this is how it makes sense to me...perhaps it'll make sense to you. … [Read more...]