What is the best first step a new sound effects field recordist can take? I've written before that getting out and recording anything is a good way to start.
Recording foundation sound effects like traffic, crowds and household sound clips teaches you:
- How your gear works: nuances of microphone range and frequency response, recorder foibles.
- How sound moves or works in different environments: reflections, etc.
- How much intruding noise your recording can tolerate before it is ruined.
- Subtleties of your subject: when birds are most lively, how crowds react or how machines respond when manipulated.
Well, what's next? How do you improve your sound effects library to take it from good to great?
Have you exhausted all the cool sound fx around you? Out of ideas? Not sure what to record next? Interested in challenging yourself? Want to record sound clips that involve more than swinging microphone stands and pressing buttons?
I've written before that I believe that the best sound effects are meaningful, evocative and powerful. What do I mean? How can you create these sounds?
In this article I'll suggest some concrete actions you can take to make your sound library better.
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