Production Glossary
Sound Effect
A sound effect is a sound that is either fabricated, or recorded from real life, which is then transformed or enhanced to be added to a film, television show, video game, or other form of media. Sound effects are always used intentionally, usually to further a story without having to use music or conversation. They can add both a sense of realism and also fantasy, depending on the content of the story. Sound effects began to take shape back in the days of narrative driven radio shows. The effects were performed live, in studio, along side the actors giving voice to the characters.In film and television, the use of sound effects can be quite technical and require the use of several different branches. Foley sound effects are used when it is necessary for the sound to sync with the action on screen. Example: footsteps or a rustling newspaper. Hard sound effects are generic sounds such as a gun going off or cars flying by. Design sound effects are sounds that are not found in nature or are unable to be captured on tape. These sound effects are characteristic of a sci-fi film. Background sound effects are utilized to accentuate the setting of a scene and are not required to sync with the action on screen. Example: wind blowing, walla (unrecognizable conversation).
Sound editors and technicians specialize in recording and processing the sound effects. Their roles are even broken down as far as a “gun cutter”, etc. Original recordings and stock sound effects are used in films and television, and such a decision is left up to the sound editor and film maker. Oftentimes, a sound effect library will be used for all sounds in order to save money and time. However, the preferred choice, generally, is to record original sounds for each production.
Sound effects editors and recordists are responsible for creating and maintaining libraries full of useful and accurate sound effects. These sounds range from footsteps on gravel to explosions. For larger sounds, the recordists are required to seek out professionals in the area they are wishing to capture. Smaller sounds are often delegated to Foley artists and recorded in a studio. Recordists will use a variety of recorders (hard disk, Nagra, or DAT) and multiple microphones to capture sounds. The multiple recordings give the sound designer a plethora of options when mixing and tweaking sound effects. Another technique used to create unique sounds is layering. This process is performed after the sound has been captured and loaded onto a computer. This tool gives the editor the ability to manipulate and enhance a sound to reach the intended goal or effect.
Sound effects editors can tweak and manipulate sounds utilizing the following elements or tools:
- chorus- a short delayed signal is applied to the original signal.
- filtering- accenting or abating sound frequency ranges.
- flanger- a variable delay is applied to the original signal.
- equalization- a tuning of frequency bands to improve quality or alter it drastically.
- echo- imitates vibration by adding delayed signals.
- pitch shift- modulates the pitch up or down.
- reverse echo- a reversal of the recording to create a “swelling” effect.
- compression- the dynamic range of a sound is reduced to protect against variation.
- overdrive- produces distorted sounds by “clipping” the signal at a specific margin.
- resonators- underscore the harmony of frequencies.
- modulation- alters the amplitude of a carrier signal.
- time stretching- alters the speed of a sound signal.
- synthesizer- creates a sound artificially through imitation or creation of a few sound.
- 3D audio effects- sets a sound on the outside of the stereo basis.
- robotic voice effects- generates a synthesized human voice.
- phaser- divides a signal and refines one portion before combining the refined and unrefined portions.
