Sound Design Articles

• ADR
• Ambiance
• Effects
• Foley
• Matching Picture Presence
• Room Tone

• DIY Sci-Fi Sound Effects
  April, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  Whether it's Star Trek sound effects, Star Wars sound effects or the many others you hear in the movies and on TV, making sci-fi sound effects is a fun,…
• Sound FX: Think Outside the Source
  August, 2011
  by Earl Chessher
  When you need some otherworldly sound for your "Out of this World" project, think like Dorothy and you'll find everything you need is in your own backyard - or…
• Zoom H1 Handy Recorder Reviewed
  April, 2011
  by Tyler Faires
  With its small build the H1 is a perfect out-of-the-box unit for daily recording and small projects. If you are looking to record live events, office meetings,…
• Stereo Recording Techniques
  December, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  Regardless of the type of videos you create, someday, you'll need a solid stereo recording. It's been with us for at least 85 years, but many still don't…
• Audio Dubbing
  November, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  Audio editing has become faster since the analog days. Before digital technology, the only way to replace audio recorded with the video was to simply record…
• Build a Guerilla Sound Booth
  July, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  One thing that is absolute in video production: whether you're a hobbyist or a pro - the audience might accept weak video, but will not forgive poor audio.
• Creating Sound Effects
  June, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  The sound effects from the 1960s Star Trek TV show are the same as in the latest Trek movie. Why? Because you know them as well as the scent of grandma's…
• Making Music Videos
  April, 2010
  by H. Wolfgang Porter
  When most new filmmakers think of making a Music Video, images of beautiful dancers, exotic locations and slick musicians come to mind.
• Automatic Dialog Replacement
  February, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  Ever wonder about the Hollywood magic to making the dialog you hear onscreen come out crystal clear? They use a little trick called ADR.
• Digital Audio Sampling
  January, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  Since digital audio only has a couple of major mathematical aspects, it won't be a stretch to cover it in one article. We'll try to keep the math to a minimum.
• Fixing Advanced Audio Editing Tutorial:Noise Removal
  November, 2009
  by Hal Robertson
  Your first line of defense for Noise Removal is the low-cut or high-pass filter. This tool is available in some form in virtually every NLE and DAW out there.
• Fixing Audio For Video In Post Production
  October, 2009
  by Hal Robertson
  We've dedicated this tutorial to the finer details of very common audio problems and offer some simple ways to fix audio for video in post production.
• Recording Good Audio for Video
  April, 2009
  by Edward B. Driscoll, Jr.
  If they can't understand your audio, they'll walk out. Learn to get the best audio for video. How to select the right mics & sync external recorders.
• It's Foley Time
  February, 2008
  by Hal Robertson
  Imagine the sounds of a good Western without the sound effects of horses, gunshots, bar scenes and a fist fight. Your soundscape is just as important as your…
• Tune your Room
  September, 2007
  by Hal Robertson
• Recording Sound Effects
  March, 2007
  by Hal Robertson
  Movies with true organic sounds, imagined futuristic electronic audio, and even the everyday noises around us, aren't complete without good sound effects.
• Room Without a View
  February, 2007
  by Hal Robertson
  Anyone who has ever struggled to record a clean voice over appreciates the importance of a dedicated recording space.
• Videotaping Conversations
  December, 2006
  by Hal Robertson
  Tips for to improve conversation audio in your video
• Sound Track: Miking Basics
  September, 1996
  by Loren Alldrin
  There's more to choosing and using microphones than meets the ear. Here are some basic principles of miking for video.
• How to Combine Multiple Signals and Still maintain Total Sound Control
  November, 1994
  by Glenn Calderone
  Everything you need to know about choosing and using an audio mixer for maximum sound control. Accompanied by Videomaker's annual roundup of audio mixers for…
• Sound Reasoning: Working with Acoustics
  October, 1995
  by Doug Polk
  Working with Acoustics
• Sound Reasoning: The Great Outdoors
  January, 1995
  by Doug Polk
  The Great Outdoors
• Sound Track: Ten Common Audio Mistakes
  June, 1996
  by Jerry Whaley
  We've identified ten audio foibles that keep most video productions from sounding as good as they could.
• Pause: Music to Our Eyes
  April, 1997
  by Stephen Muratore
  We're not talking music videos here; we're talking visual music.
• Sound Track: Sound Bounces
  November, 1997
  by Loren Alldrin
  When sound bounces uncontrolled in an enclosed space, it can come back to haunt you. Here’s how to control it.
• How to Record Better Sound
  November, 1997
  by Richard Oliver
  Like any other enthusiast, pros appreciate how simplicity can open up the creative floodgates. To get the best sound from your camcorder, listen up as a pro…
• Outdoor Video Sound ...ound ...ound ...ound
  May, 1998
  by Jim Stinson
  Aare wind, background noise and uneven mike levels giving you a pain in the plug? These tips will help you capture clean, clear, and consistent audio even when…
• Sound Track: Top 10 Audio Crimes
  May, 1998
  by Loren Alldrin
  Keep your recording clean by avoiding these common audio crimes.
• Sound Track: Audio-torium
  June, 1998
  by Loren Alldrin
  How to get good audio from auditoriums, gyms and other sound-hostile environments.
• Quiet in the House!: A (Floor) Plan for Better Audio
  August, 1998
  by Loren Alldrin
  Hickory-dickory-doc, how come I keep hearing that clock? Tips for muffling those troublesome background noises when shooting interviews around the house.