Allow me to share a story with you: It was the weekend before the holiday break. Our horror film shoot had been going on for a few days, and as was typical of December at the base of Cape Cod, the weather was frigid and rapidly getting worse. With reports of an approaching winter storm, we frantically worked in the freezing cold to finish our exterior shots as quickly as … [Read more...]
Tips on Recording and Using Wind from Gordon Hempton
If you haven't heard of Gordon Hempton before...aka The Soundtracker, documentary subject, author of One Square Inch of Silence, field recordist...we'll be remedying that this week. We'll be posting an interview with the man himself later this week. For now, why not check out some of his thoughts on recording wind and decoding its characteristics based on the time of day and … [Read more...]
Recording FX In 5, 6, 8, Or More Channels?
Guest Contriubtion by Randy Thom Acoustic Authenticity Versus Entertainment Value When designing a set for a film, the art director tries to use what is good about the real world place where the scene will be shot, but also tries to avoid being straight jacketed by what is there. The cinematographer usually has a similar approach in deciding what to shoot and how to shoot … [Read more...]
Interview with Raymond Usher
Guest Contribution by Neil Cullen Raymond Usher started work in the games industry in 1992 as a sound designer at DMA Design, working on a number of titles, most notably the original Grand Theft Auto games. He became the company's senior audio programmer and through the release of GTA III, was part of the metamorphosis into Rockstar North. Raymond stayed at Rockstar until … [Read more...]
Spectral Analysis: Interview with Saki Kaskamanidis
Many thanks to Brad Dyck for contributing this interview. You can follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Dyck BD: How did you get involved in game audio? SK: It all started back in 1995. I was in a band and our keyboard/synth player, Jeff Van Dyck, was working for EA. He was working on the soundtrack for NHL 96 and needed a guitarist to lay down all the riffs, so he hired me. … [Read more...]
Tunes and Tones: A Writer/Director’s Perspective on Sound
Guest Contribution by Pierce O'Toole Writer/Director Pierce O'Toole shares his thoughts on music and sound design, and how they play into his creative process. As a writer and director, my biggest concern on any project is the story. Every project has a story that you are trying to tell. When I approach sound, the lens I view it through - or the speaker I hear it through, I … [Read more...]
Interview: Rob Bridgett and Game Audio Culture
Rob Bridgett is no stranger to us here at Designing Sound. Constantly writing and engaging in community discussion; Rob has put out a new book called "Game Audio Culture". Here are some questions Damian Kastbauer and I put together for Rob. Can you tell the few Designing Sound readers who don't know who you are a bit about your background in sound design, game … [Read more...]