With our new audio assignment coming up, I thought of how we would need some sound effects in our recordings and I decided to find tips for DIY sound effects. I know it’s easy to get basic recordings like a door closing or some footsteps. But there are also those weird sounds that can be hard to create like thunder or steps in the snow (unless it snows anytime soon). I found different sites and videos that can help you if you need an out-of-the-ordinary sound for your assignment.
During my research, I also learned about Foley Artists, the people who create the sounds we hear in movies and television shows. They create these sounds with a lot of props including shoes, plates, and car benders. While I was reading through their site, I thought it sounded super familiar so I went on YouTube and was able to find a video of some Foley Artists creating effects. It’s a little long for some people’s standards but it’s still interesting. (I recommend opening and watching the video on a different tab so you can see all of it).
Here are some sound effect tips.
From Videomaker:
- “Rain Sprinkle rice, birdseed or coarse sand on a metal sheet or other thin surface.”
- “Thunder Flex or jiggle a large sheet of aluminum.”
- “Frying Touch wet rags to a hot surface (stove burner).”
- “Fire Crunch cellophane wrap or wax paper.”
- “Footfalls in snow Step down on cornstarch or cat litter.”
- “Footfalls in leaves Crunch corn flakes or potato chips with your feet or hands.”
- “Clothing rustle Rub different types of fabrics together.”
- “Water Stir a pan of water with your hand, or use a kiddie swimming pool for “larger” water sounds.”
- “Slap Clap two thin boards together, or clap wet hands together.”
Also, here is “The Guide To Sound Effects,” a forum-like site where people shared their own tips on creating sound effects for lots and lots of things. There are so many tips on creating sound effects here. With the help of strangers you can learn how to create the sound of a heartbeat or rain on gravel.
If you need/want a unique sound for your assignment, I definitely recommend looking at these sites or doing some more research on your own.
Image: Wiki Commons
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Maya P
I absolutely love learning about the different, unexpected ways sounds are created. I was working on a video project for a class a semester or two ago and my video had some gushing blood in it. I was left to figure out a way to make a disgusting drippy / gooey blood noise with anything I could find in my house at 4am. Turns out, squishing a ton of shampoo between your fingers makes a convincing gush noise, plus it is really fun to squeeze half a bottle of soap into your hands and squeeze it.
Valerie
I find this really helpful not only for video and sound editing for also for theatre. We use sound foley in theatre as well such as knocking or pounding on a door or simply dropping a bunch of things backstage. This past month, we did a production of Intimate Apparel and I had to cue my assistant to pound on the door backstage. It took several tries before the sound designer was happy with the way it sounded because there were several people coming in through the door and each sound had to be different. The difference between a girl knocking and an angry man pounding the door is pretty big so we had to work on that foley. Foley definitely creates a more real effect in the theatre rather than a sound cue that is played through the speaker.
Arielle R
Wow, this is fascinating! It sort of disrupts the illusion of things in an interesting, jolting sort of way, Part of me feels lied to! Here’s a really interesting article about how the Godzilla roar was made that I think is really interesting and relevant to your post, check it out! http://www.npr.org/2014/05/18/312839612/whats-in-a-roar-crafting-godzillas-iconic-sound
Olivia A
This is awesome! I truly think sound effects add so much to an audio edit like the one we have assigned for class. I think that they can really make or break a piece when it comes to how realistic it sounds! I love the list you added for the different sound effects. Who knew people get paid to do this every day. I actually looked it up and the average salary is 50k so sign me up because I would love to make noise all day 9:00-5:00. Actually the work that these people do is amazing I think having an ear for sound and knowing what would sound best where is truly a gift. Thanks for the read Steph!