When we discuss what makes the sound in any medium: film, music, video game, theater, etc. effective, it usually boils down to one of four aspects, and often all four: the detail in the design, the emotion conveyed, the way the sound meshes with the visuals, and the mix of the sonic elements. When sound design exists on its own, with visuals and voiceover removed or … [Read more...]
Inspirations / Distractions – Jabari Alii
Jabari Alii is a composer and the mind behind Cinematic Score, a music and sound design company based in Oakland, CA. "For me, inspiration has always been this ever-elusive superpower. When I could harness it, there was no stopping me. But it was sporadic, I had no control. I was like a mutant before I got to Professor Xavier's mansion." "As … [Read more...]
Separating Your Signal from the Noise: The Intersection Between Bit Depth and Branding
As a sound designer, there are many different thoughts that come to mind when considering a topic such as noise. Everything from using tone generated noise, like white noise in the designing of sound effects, to a technical discussion on different types of dither algorithms, but when I kept thinking about noise, one slightly different viewpoint of the word "noise" kept coming … [Read more...]
Nightmares and Soundscapes: Implementation of Acoustic Ecology Related Sound Design Techniques to Better Terrify your Players
Guest Contribution by Dr Tom Garner This article addresses contemporary concepts regarding how we attune to sound within a fear context and discusses the potential impact of these ideas upon sound design, specifically with regards to evoking disorientation in survival horror computer games. Relevant theory is distilled to consider an ecological perspective of sound experience … [Read more...]
ARTSEDGE: Ben Burtt on The Sounds of “Star Wars”
This is one of a series of podcasts exploring the ways sound and sound effects can be used to help bring stories to life. Meet Ben Burtt, Sound Designer for films like Star Wars,Raiders of the Lost Ark and WALL-E. Learn how he comes up with sounds that complement the amazing things seen on the silver screen – from laser blasts to whirring, buzzing lightsabers. Find out the … [Read more...]
An Interview with Dane A. Davis
Shaun Kelly has published a transcription of a very cool interview he had with Dane A. Davis. Shaun: How do you go about putting sound to film? Dane: Sound editing is really all about, you watching the film not as an editor but as the audience. You have to follow the sound in your head. what are you hearing in your head? If you are hearing what is coming out of the speakers … [Read more...]
Emotion
"The lesson is, don’t play the visual, play the emotion." - Al Nelson … [Read more...]