Sound recording and design

Essentials of Sound Recording and Design

Essential Purpose of Sound

  • Sound operates as a critical element in moving image arts, contributing to the audience’s immersion and engagement.
  • The sound can communicate the atmosphere, evoke emotional responses, and drive the narrative forward.
  • Every sound affects the audience’s interpretive reading and can hold symbolic meanings attached to characters and places.

Types of Sound

  • Diegetic sound is sound that originates from the world of the movie, such as dialogue, on-screen actions, and background noise.
  • Non-diegetic sound, or off-screen sound, does not exist within the world of the movie. Examples include sound effects, voice-overs, or background music.
  • Ambient sound replicates the environment’s natural sound, like wind rustling through leaves. It is critical in creating a believable, immersive world.

Location Sound Recording

  • Sound measurement (known as audio signal levels) should be examined to avoid oversaturation or distortion.
  • A good quality microphone is essential for capturing dialogue and ambient sound on location.
  • It’s crucial to consider environmental noise while recording, to avoid unwanted sounds from interfering with your desired audio.
  • Careful consideration of wind, traffic, and other potential audio nuisances is essential.

Post-Production Sound Design

  • In post-production, sound design is the process of creating, editing, manipulating, and mixing sounds.
  • Sound effects (SFX) help create the world of the film, honing in on small details that help immerse the audience.
  • Foley incorporates natural sound effects reproduced in post-production to enhance the audio realism of the movie.
  • Attention to sound transitions can create continuity and ensure each scene flows into the next smoothly.
  • Equalisation (EQ) and compression are two key tools in post-production sound design. EQ allows for adjusting the balance of different frequencies, while compression helps maintain a consistent audio level.
  • Background music or a musical score often hold a critical role in setting mood, creating tension, signalling emotion, and guiding the narrative arc.

Final Note

  • Sound is a creative tool. Consider how different sounds or absence of sound can interpret, deepen or challenge the visuals on screen.
  • Creating a detailed, layered soundscape can greatly increase the quality and immersion of your film or animation.