Article Advise

The audio side of video is often not well recorded due to small production budgets and short time frames. Therefore, during post-production, producers can be assaulted by a series of previous sonic missteps. An annoying rumble or hum in the low end is a common problem in audio recorded for video.

Due to the increase in video editing and viewing, sound effects have become an in-demand product. As a result, many sound designers may find it worthwhile to build a sound effects library from their recordings in order to make extra money. The following tips give an overview of the steps involved in making a useful library to sell online.

The final step in organizing sound effects for submission to a sound effect library is pairing different types of data with each sound. This metadata, as it is called, lets prospective clients in on specific details concerning each sound. The seven most useful categories of metadata to be included in your sound effect catalog are listed below.

Once you have recorded a large amount of material intended to be used as sound effects, the next step in creating a sound effect library is to edit this raw audio. You will need an audio editing software that will allow you to cut, fade in/out, normalize, and eq your tracks. There are many professional digital audio workstations (DAWs) out there for purchase and also several useful freewares easily found on the internet.

In order to record sound effects for a personal or professional sound effect library one first needs a quality recorder. Personally I've tried all sorts of pricey gear and microphones throughout my sonic adventures only to discover that a solid $150 to $400 handheld digital recorder no larger than an old-school cassette tape box suffices to create sounds good enough for placement in any Film, TV, and media project. In addition, these units run on battery power and the recorded files can be dragged onto your desktop via USB.

No one watching a live television feed such as the Grammys or the Academy Awards show, could fathom all that goes on behind the scenes! It may look smooth as silk on your television screen, but just beyond what the camera sees lies a veritable bustle of activity complete with cameras, long swinging jibs, boom mikes, dozens of focused technicians, and miles and miles of wires. What may look spontaneous is anything but!