Creating ze sound effects

In this article from the June 2010 edition of Video Maker magazine, we are taught how to make our very own sound effects. Videos go way beyond what you see on the screen, it has a lot to do with the audio and effects as well. It’s important to have good audio and sound effects or else your video will just end up bland and forgetful. So here’s a short guide to do-it-yourself.

First of all you’ll need some audio recording equipment such as a microphone or audio recorder. There are also very cost effective editing software that work just as good if not better than the break-the-bank software. It’s all very basic and simple. Use what you have and what you can get a hold of and just run with it.

Try to be as authentic as possible. If you’re shooting a car driving by, make sure you actually get good car sounds and not a motorcycle. Be real, and shoot what you see. loud noises pose for possible problems such as overloads and spikes. Make sure you have plenty of room to eliminate these problems when you’re editing. Even if the sound is not as loud as it should be or as you want it to be, remember, you can always bump up the volume in post editing and production. You might even move the mic back even further, this will avoid loud spikes and still get you that authentic sound.

Using everyday items can also make really neat and cool sounds. Such as cups or even plastic bags can get you a good audio effect. If your going for more of a sci-fi kind of movie, try mixing common items next to a microphone and see what kind of out of this world sounds you can make.