336 The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, 4E

Sound Effects

Your choice of what to use for a particular sound effect will weigh greatly on the overall impact of the scene. For example, if a scene needs the sound of a dog barking in the distance, you’ll get a very different effect if you choose to use a Chihuahua or a Doberman. Depending on the tone of the scene, one might be a much better choice.

Going with the choice that is less obvious can often have very serendipitous results. Don’t hesitate to try a number of different ideas, including ones that might initially sound strange. For example, consider the sound of the tornadoes in the movie Twister. Rather than sticking with simple sounds of storm and flying debris, the editors added guttural, snarling, sucking sounds that gave the twisters an almost conscious, animal-like menace.

Don’t hesitate to create your own sound effects. A good mic and some simple field recording equipment can help you get good source material. In addition to getting sounds that exactly match the pacing and length of your video, you might come up with very original sounds. Consider the laser blasts from Star Wars. Originally created by banging on the tail ends of power lines, these sources were masterfully manipulated into high-tech, futuristic effects.

Sometimes one effect isn’t enough. Layering two or more effects can add depth and impact to a sound event. The most famous example is the modern movie sound of a gunshot, which was developed by Sam Peckinpah in the early 1970s. Several layers of effects and reverb are combined to create a full, explosive sound, rather than the flat “pop” that’s heard from a gunshot in real life.

When adding any type of effect, don’t expect it to be perfect as soon as you drop it in. Most likely, you’ll have to go through a lot of trial and error. There are no rules or numbers you can follow for these processes; instead, follow your ear.

To improve and blend in a sound effect, remember that you have all of the following with which to work:

nLevels: Make sure the level of the sound matches the intensity of what’s on the screen— a small handgun shouldn’t sound like a cannon.

nEQ and effects: You can use EQ to improve the quality of your sound effect and to try to separate the effect from the other sounds in your mix. Other effects can be added to match the sound effect to its surroundings. The sound of dropping a bowling ball in a cathedral, for example, should have a lot more reverb and echo than the sound of dropping a bowling ball in a convenience store.

nThe mix: You might be able to improve your sound effect by adjusting other tracks in your mix. Maybe it’s not that your airplane sound effect is too quiet; perhaps your dialogue is too loud. Play with your entire mix when editing in a sound effect.