Using Sound Fx in Podcasts and Video Games

There’s a trend towards more professional podcasting and video games by using impactful sound FX and implementing professional sound design in podcasts and video games. We would suggest that there are in essence are three main categories of sound FX people looking for in producing podcasts: cartoon sound FX, explosion sound FX and movie sound FX.

Cartoon sound FX can be a popular choice because of their instant recognition. Cartoon sound FX instantly triggers memories from shows and associate their podcast with a professional show. Secondly, explosion sound FX is used to maximize impact on the listener in a podcast. Sound FX in this category normally is items such as auto crashes, explosions, building crashes, earthquakes, house explosions.  The point being that they surprise the listener and get the listener’s attention. An example of explosion effects is the Impact Effects 2 CD by Sound Ideas who have created some of the largest variety of explosion sound FX.

Thirdly, movie sounds FX are generally used by people who are looking to use sound FX for Foley. Your wondering what is Foley? Foley is process of adding background sound FX to a story line, film production, or this case, podcast. Movie sound FX can contain almost anything but are often taken from digital libraries from previous sound designers who have gone through the painstaking process of recording individual sound effects for their films. Some film producers, example being in Bollywood, might rely almost solely on digital libraries of sound FX for their productions.

Today, at the same time, sound FX are taking a new turn in technology with video game producers. Sound FX is being in video games using something called positional audio. Positional audio utilizes complex calculations to determine how loud or quiet a sound effect should be in a video game depending on the distance of the player from the originating sound. For example, a first person shooter game would hear a gunshot much quieter if it was across the street then if the gun was shot right next to him or her. This is making sound FX design much more dynamic then has been historically. With video game productions become more main stream than many movies, sound design for video games has become just as important as in feature films.

If you don’t have actually sound FX how can you create them? Can you create them yourself? Many sounds FX are replicated with everyday items you can find in your house. For example, a heartbeat effect might be replicated by a plastic trash can lid! The popping out of the plastic lid creates a controllable “pumping” sound that might be used. Or, in order to create a sound effect of something dramatically freezing, one can record brushing the bristles of a wire brush brushing firmly against something metal, like a steel drum. As the brushes come closer it gives you the effect of rippling freezing ice. Recording a slithery snake effect might be when you take a wet sponge and drag it across a rubber surface. Creating sound FX can take some creativity!  In essence, adding sound FX to your podcasts can be a great help for a professional effect on the listener, sometimes you just need to get a bit creative!