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(part
3) Sound Effects
(part 1)
In this article you'll not
only be able to read about the special sound effects that were blended
into the Murder Mystery Mayhem CD but, you'll also be able to listen to
a raw sound sample and the sound sample in context of the scene or song.
You're welcome to save and use these Volitar samples as you wish. Also,
if you don't have a music player installed on your computer click on this
link for a basic
Real Player, it's FREE!
Many of the sound effects
were compiled and used from sound effects libraries; the same way modern
composers use drum, guitar and other canned loops, but many had to be
created in the studio to fit the scene correctly. One such example is
the unzipping sound created for Desiree to give the illusion she was undressing.
Use the link below to hear this raw sample.
Unzipping
Most of the zippers around
the studio were to low in volume to record until I found the zipper on
my winter coat. I knew I didn't need to mic it in stereo because I would
be panning that part of the action to the right so , I used only one microphone
to record the zipper. I simply placed a mic on a stand 3 to 4 inches from
the middle of the zipper. While wearing the coat I unzipped it pulling
the zipper past the mic.
In the same scene, track
15 - Desiree For Dessert, I needed the sound of a futuristic door opening.
There are 3 different door opening sounds in Murder Mystery Mayhem. The
first sound was in the opening sequence, Blast-Off, the second sound opens
track 9 - Machine Shop, and the third, track 15. In Desiree For Dessert
I used a sound out of a Roland D-110 sound module; 1989. Coming from a
synthesiser, it allowed me to control the duration of the door opening
by holding down a note on the keyboard as long as I desired. Use the link
below to hear this sample.
Space
Door
Use the link below to hear
the unzipping and space door sound effects blended in with the Desiree
For Dessert scene.
Desiree
For Dessert sample
The Nightmare sequence is
chalk full of sound effects and one of my favorites is a sample of a recorded
copper pot. In the kitchen I selected a 2 quart pot, filled the bottom
with water and with a drum stick I struck the pot. A change in pitch is
the effect I was looking for and striking the pot while holding the handle
I tipped it 90 degrees. Again, only one mic was used and during the mixing
session Engineer George Bryson and I decided to pan the sample left and
right. Use the link below to hear this sample.
Copper
Pot
Use the link below to hear
the copper pot sound effect blended in with the Nightmare scene.
Nightmare
sample
Stay tuned as the Making of Volitar continues in
August!
Written by Andrew Engstrom
|
® July
2002 
