Sound Design Quiz 2

Review the order of steps in the Planning Sound Designs slides.

-            The Script

-            Define the Environment

-            Analyze the Arc of the Scene

-            Early Sound Effects plan

-            Sound Map

-            Record Script

-            Create or Design Sound Elements

-            Create an audio mix

-            mastering

Diegetic Audio is sound that exists as part of the scene and can be heard by the characters, non-diegetic audio exists outside of the scene and cannot be heard by the characters.

Automation is a set of instructions for manipulating audio during playback. It can be written with pencil tool, or by setting an automation mode and adjusting faders and knobs during playback. Many different parameters of a track can be automated at the same time. Plug-in parameters can also be added to a track’s automation.

Review the order of steps for track signal flow in a Pro Tools track in the Signal Flow slides.

-            Input

-            Inserts

-            Pre fader sends

-            Volume (fader)

-            Post fader sends

-            Pan

-            Output

A bus is a type of signal path that can route audio from multiple tracks together. Buses are used in the process of creating submixes in a session. Submixes are valuable in a session because they allow for multiple tracks of audio to receive the same mixing or effect instructions at the same time. Submixes are often sent to an Aux track to add effects since Aux tracks cannot hold audio files.

When audio has no effects attached to it, it is known as Dry signal. Audio with effects attached is Wet signal.

Signal flow is the concept of how sound is routed from input to final output. When working through signal flow, it is important to make sure that inputs and outputs are properly routed.

The three types of sound effects:

· Hard effects – actual sounds – keyboard typing, tv playing, cooking noises, etc. Any actual sound that would be heard in real life because of an action. Created by recording the actual sound.

· Soft effects – whooshes, beeps, artificial sounds that help tell the story but would not be present in real life. Often created by synthesis.

· Foley effects – actual sounds created by artificial means. Horse galloping by hitting coconut shells against wood or sand, etc.

Basic Folder tracks in Pro Tools can hold other tracks to help organize a session. Routing Folder tracks function like Basic Folders, but also work like an aux track, and create a bus named after the folder.