Cool Sound Effects

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Cool Edit 2.0 by Syntrillium Software provides a highly comprehensive audio editor which can be used to clean up bad-quality recordings saved as MP3, WAV and many other formats. It is also possible to use it to add specific effects to an existing recording to create extra dimensions and additional voices. All of these effects can be previewed before committing, then reversed if needed.

Amplification Effects

Audio files can be amplified to increase level in stages of decibels. Presets already installed include 3dB and 6dB increases and decreases in level. It is, however, very easy to create one's own custom levels and save them. Fade in and fade out are additional features of the amplification section, along with a "Normalize" function, compression and vibrato.

Distortion Effects

Audio can be distorted in many different ways and additional effects can be added into the program. One of the most useful effects is the capability of previewing everything before it is committed. With multiple choices in the "Delay" menu including "Phaser," "Flanger," "Reverb" and "Chorus" it is not difficult to add stunning and powerful effects to an audio file. "Chorus" will make a bland single vocalist sound like a rock band. "Phaser" and "Flanger" effects will create the Wah-Wah and Stroding effects, used in popular music. Fine-tuning these effects can make a lead guitar sound like a sitar, if desired.

Adding Silence and Other Editing Effects

Cool Edit can also be used as a powerful and easy-to-use sound effects editor. Edit out pops and crackling sounds by zooming in on the spot where the distortion occurs. Next, use the cut-and-paste option to remove spikes and fill empty spaces with sound sequences from elsewhere. A continuous time line keeps track of the location down to the split second, and copied audio sequences can be pasted into a new file and pasted back after work has been done on the sequence.

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Insert Sound Effects Office PowerPoint

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An audio soundtrack adds polish and professional depth to a PowerPoint presentation. Examples of audio clips that can be useful in a slide show include recorded speeches, sound effects and background music to accompany photographs. The best digital formats for use in PowerPoint are mp3 and wav files, but mp3 files can be linked but not embedded. As long as they are correctly inserted, they both will play fine.

1.  Start the PowerPoint program. From the "Insert" menu, scroll down to "Movies and Sounds," then select the sub-menu "Sound from File" and click it.



2.  Scroll through the folders on your computer to locate the audio file you wish to insert. Note the drop-down menu below the file name and designate your file type. Click "OK" once you have located your audio file.



3.  Respond to the "Microsoft Office PowerPoint" window that opens asking you how you want the sound to start in this slide show. Click on the "Automatically" button if you wish the sound to begin by itself after the transition to the slide with the audio inserted into it. Click "When Clicked" if you will start the audio manually after a set period after the slide appears.

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Sound FX Programs

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There are several sound effects programs for multimedia users. Sound FX programs are used to edit audio clips. Sound editing can include copying, merging, splitting and adding special effects to an audio clip. When shopping for a sound effects program, you should consider the features the program offers and how much the program costs.

Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition is a digital audio program produced by Adobe Systems. Adobe Audition has several sound effect features, including pitch correction, surround encoder, audio mixing and sound and noise reduction. Audition also allows you to work on more than one track simultaneously in a multitrack, non-destructive mix and edit environment. The waveform editing view allows you to mix your audio tracks with more than 50 real-time audio effects, including echo, flange and reverb. Adobe Audition is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Audacity

Audacity is a free sound design and editing program. As of October 20, 2009, Audacity was the sixth most popular software downloaded from SourceForge.net with 63 million downloads. Audacity takes you through every step of sound editing from recording to editing. Some of the sound effect features of audacity include noise removal, pitch change, phaser, Wahwah, reverse and amplify. Audacity is compatible with Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and GNU/Linux.

Reason

Reason is a digital audio workstation developed by Propellerhead Software. Reason can be used as a virtual music studio or a collection of musical instruments to be used with another sequencing software program. Some of the devices of Reason include a set of synthesizers, samplers, signal processes, sequencers and mixers. Reason is compatible with Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.

Qtrator

Qtrator is a free digital audio workstation made solely for use on Linux systems. The developers of Qtrator claim that it was designed to be user-friendly enough for the average home user, yet powerful enough for professional sound editors. Qtrator offers non-destructive, non-linear editing so you can edit your audio tracks without worrying about damaging the original tracks. The sound effect features of Qtrator include a built-in mixer, preset plug-ins, a clip editing tool and MIDI control mapping.

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Easy Professional Stage Effects

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Stage effects don't have to be complicated or expensive to be professional quality. Some of the effects commonly used by professionals are surprisingly simple to recreate in any stage setting with minimal fuss. Implement stage effects for lighting, weather, sound and even wound makeup effects for your next school or community production -- and give your audiences a pro touch.

Fog

One of the easiest effects widely used by special effects artists is fog. Though once a specialty item, nowadays fog machines are sold in big-box stores for prices often under $50 -- and they're as easy to use as a press of a button. Light fog effects are sometimes used for the purpose of enhancing the appearance of light beams, but they may also have effects purposes like misty weather or "smoke."

Bleeding Stab Wound

Creating a realistic bleeding stab wound doesn't require hundreds of dollars worth of fancy equipment. Place a kitchen sponge inside a resealable kitchen bag and seal the bag closed. Make a dime-sized hole in the plastic bag about a half inch from the top. To use, insert the funnel in this hole and pour stage blood into the bag where the sponge will soak it up. Strap or tape the baggie beneath the actor's costume at the place where they're supposed to be stabbed. During the scene, the actor will grasp the wound area after the "stabbing" and squeeze the blood from the sponge to spurt out of the hole.

Gobos

A gobo is a metal disc used to create filtered light effects. The disc looks much like a stencil. When placed over a lighting instrument, the beam from the light shines through the holes of the stencil in that shape. Common gobo effects include the shapes of tree branch shadow for forest scenes, cloud shapes to indicate changes in weather, and the shape of light shining through an unseen window in the area of the "fourth wall," which is where the audience sits.

Live Foley

For sound effects that are too difficult to time electronically, or that don't seem real when you use canned recordings, set up a live foley table backstage. This is a place where a technician creates sound effects in real time with objects on the table. Commonly-used live foley effects include striking coconuts or wood blocks for horse hooves, shoes in a tin of sand for footsteps on gravel -- amplify this with a microphone for a large auditorium -- handbells for old-fashioned doorbells, and dropping large objects in buckets of water for splash noises.

Storm Effect

To create the effect of a storm on stage, play a recording of a storm through the sound system. Meanwhile, position a strong area fan just offstage, blowing on stage. To heighten this effect, have a stage hand sit by the fan and toss items like leaves, twigs and tumbleweeds into the jet of air -- they will blow across stage like items caught in the storm. Use only lightweight items that will easily blow across the stage and won't hurt your actors.

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Game Music Sound Effects

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As video games get progressively more complex and impressive, their audio is likewise getting better and better. Their music is beginning to be recorded by big-time orchestras and their sound effects are handled by an entire team of special experts. However, making your own game music and sound effects need not be daunting. Some basic tools, software and know-how will get you on the path to creating truly engaging audio for your game in record time.

1. Download and install a copy of an editing program with a monitoring function. Audacity from SoundForge is a popular choice, as it's entirely free.

2.  Plug in your music input hardware (keyboard, drums, etc.) or create a piece of music with your music creation software. If doing the latter, make sure the song is exactly as you'd like it to be before moving on to the next step.

3. Open a session of your editing software, enable the "monitoring" function and hit "record." Play a song using your musical input hardware or hit "play" on your music creation software control panel. Your editing program will record in real-time the song being played.

4.  Export your recorded song as an MP3 file. It's now ready to be used in your game's programming.

 

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Sound Effects for Radio

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Get tired of producing the same sound effects for radio stories and shows? Try making your own sound effects with these simple steps!

1. First, buy sound effects or get a digital audio recorder be it an mp3 player or mini disk ( although those are almost obsolete now)Attach the microphone into the plug and your headphone into the other. This will make you aware of the sounds around you and record better.

 
 
2. Make a list of the sound effects you need to do and scout locations where you can get them. Watch the day for external noise, traffic or anything that might interrupt the sounds.

 
 
3. Go to the locations and record the sound effects making three takes of each sound.

 
 
4. Open up your computer to any audio software , connect the cable that will connect to your mp3 player and computer and hit play for the mp3 player and record for your computer. Make sure it records properly and everything is connected.

 

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Buy Sound Effects

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How to Buy Sound Effects and Production Music

You need to buy sound effects but aren't sure what you can use them for or how to buy them. This 'How To' is for those that are new to sound effects and production music

1.    Think about the emotion that you are trying to convey with your project. By using a sound or music soundtrack that compliments or heightens this emotion, you stand out and the whole project feels higher quality.



2.    Sound effects (also known as SFX, sound FX, or audio effects) and production Music (background music) are sounds created to enhance your production. Your 'production' may be for TV, radio, film, podcasts, viral videos, ringtones, toys, new media, or computer presentations.



3.    Learn that the best sound effects are recorded from an original sound and original source. For example you can buy the sound of a door being slammed because a professional sound-effects recording artist has recorded an actual door being slammed in isolation. They have used a top quality microphone and have mastered the sound afterwards to make it sound perfectly clean. Production music is recorded by a musician or band and made available for use.



4.    Learn that sound effects and production music are used to give information without the use of dialogue. For example we may see a couple inside a cabin but we HEAR a winter storm sound effect coming from outside. Additionally, we hear tension-filled background music to create a real atmosphere. Professional, cleanly recorded sound effects / production music highlight or punctuate an idea or emotion in your production. It is very noticeable when it is omitted or a poor quality sound has been used – an excellent sound effect should blend in seamlessly.



5.    Find that you need several sound effects, then consider buying a CD that includes a range of well-recorded sounds. If you need just one sound, search for a large sound effects library online and download the one sound you need. Downloadable sounds come in: MP3, WAV or AIFF. Save them in your music folder so you know where to find them. Then, import into your project.



6.    Understand that before you make your purchase from an online sound effects / production music library a reputable company will offer a toll free number or online support. Listen to the free preview before you make your purchase but realize it is in a low-resolution format – when you make your purchase, you will receive the sound / music in it’s highest resolution format. Make sure there is a money-back guarantee and a contact or support phone number if you have any questions.



7.    Remember, if you have a great idea and want a professional finished product, make sure you use top-quality sound effects.

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