I’ve written in the past about sharing sound effects using Kickstarter projects. Kickstarter is a fantastic way to fund ideas and work with fans and your community.
I discovered a cool sound effects Kickstarter project earlier today that I’d like to share with you.
What is Kickstarter?
Kickstarter, of course, is a website that brings together entrepreneurs and fans (known as “backers”). The entrepreneurs present an idea: a play, a book, an iPhone adapter, or whatever. They list the cash goal they need to complete the project. Backers support the project by choosing one of many reward tiers. Each tier costs more, but provides increasingly tantalizing benefits.
If the project reaches the goal, backers receive their rewards. If not, then everyone who invested is returned their cash.
It’s a simple, risk-free method of supporting intrepid creators.
The Gun Sound Library
The Firearm Sound Library is an idea proposed by Ben Jaszczak of Houghton, MI. He and some other ambitious folk are planning to record a number of firearm sound effects for a film sound library.
It includes weapons with silencers, as well as the standard gun shots. Weapons planned include:
- Walther PPQ, self-loading pistol with silencer
- Springfield 1911-A1, self-loading pistol.
- Springfield XD-9, self-loading pistol.
- Bersa Thunder 380, self-loading pistol.
- Browning Buckmark, self-loading pistol.
- Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight, DAO Revolver.
- Ruger Single Six, SAO Revolver.
- Ruger 10/22, self-loading rifle.
- Norinco SKS Type M59/66, self-loading rifle.
- Bushmaster M4A1 Carbine, self-loading rifle.
- Tikka T3, bolt action rifle.
- Savage Stevens Model 200, bolt action rifle with silencer.
- Springfield M1917, bolt action rifle.
- Mosin-Nagant M91/30, bolt action rifle.
- Arisaka Type 99, bolt action rifle.
- Marlin Model 1895, lever action rifle.
- Winchester Model 1894, lever action rifle.
- Benelli Nova, pump action shotgun.
- Charles Daly FTAW, pump action shotgun.
- Mossberg Model 190, bolt action shotgun.
- Winchester Model 12, pump action shotgun.
The project plans to capture all elements of each firearm:
if it is physically possible to make one of these guns create a sound by firing it or moving any of the working parts, we’ll be recording it. Loading and unloading. Safeties. Triggers. Magazines. Slides. Every single click, scrape, and bang.
The Details
All recordings are planned at 192 kHz. They mention using seven microphones. However, it’s unclear what resolution, file format, and microphones they are using. I’ve left a comment on the page to find out more.
They also will include media to explain how the guns should be properly used, which will help sound designers choose and cut the right sounds for their projects.
They plan to deliver the library in February, 2014.
And how much will all this cost? There’s only a single reward tier, and it’s one dollar.
Why?
We had a long, drawn-out discussion as to what prices we would set, which rewards to have, etc. In the end we realized something: we’re all poor college students…and our hope is that other poor college students like ourselves can benefit from our work. In order for that to happen, we need this library to be affordable. Extremely affordable; as affordable as it can be. That’s right…if we meet our goal, this library will become free for all to use.
Recording gun sound effects is incredibly tricky. Will this library meet the quality of other pro firearm sound libraries out there? At $1, it’s not much of a risk to find out.
They need $7,000 to begin the project. Right now, with 26 days to go, they’re doing well at just over $1,000.
I’ve already donated. The price is right, of course. Also, I think that more sound effect Kickstarter projects are a great idea. I hope this project is successful and will encourage more, similar projects from field recordists worldwide.
Check out the Firearm Sound Library on Kickstarter.
Image courtesy of the Firearm Sound Library project.
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