6.17.23: Designing sounds that decorate time
Designing music, foley & film scores
Have you ever stopped to think about your favorite sound? In an expanding world of noise, music, and other forms of audio, it's easy to overlook the importance of sound design.
But when we overlook remarkable sound design, we miss out on a crucial aspect of our human experience. Sound waves uniquely engage our senses beyond just hearing and impact our mind, body, and soul like nothing else.
This newsletter will explore the fascinating world of sound design by examining how sounds can evoke emotions, allow us to transcend time and space, and leave a mark on the world around us.
Music
Stevie Wonder is a perfect example of that tried and true old-head complaint. “They just don’t make music like they used to anymore.” This video examines one of his most memorable grooves and how it magically works with EVERYTHING.
I’m not much of a fan of house music, but there is no denying that the master DJ’s in the field have a unique connection to their sound, tools, and audience. Four Tet is god-tier. So it’s cool to see him walk through his setup and workflow in laid back setting.
I thought there was a ceiling for Tiny desk performances; with the limited space and time, there is only so much an artist can do, right? Well, Fred again blew that idea up with this performance, mixing video, sound, and instrumentation like I’ve never seen before.
When most think of song design in music terms, we think of instruments. But this documentary is a beautiful reminder that our voice is an instrument as mesmerizing as anything else. If you’re a fan of hip-hop, it’s a must-watch. It’s the hands-on story of how rap developed as a sound throughout history. I was hyped when I found this gem on Youtube for free 🥲
Accessibility is a quintessential part of any design and a unique challenge in the music realm. In exploring sound design in music, I was pleasantly surprised by the innovation around the sign language space.
Video Games
Game design is the perfect topic for another day, but the sound design found in our favorite games is worth its weight in gold too.
You’d think a million-dollar game studio like PlayStation would have a sound studio and giant team to match, but this lead foley artist has been quietly making sounds found in some of the biggest game releases in recent memory.
Ever wonder why Nintendo can get away with the same games after all these years? Their impeccable sound design plays a major part in it.
Movies
While most movies center around loud and flashy sequences to hold the audience’s attention, A Quiet Place is a film that masters the opposite approach. Leveraging silence and subtle sounds to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Fight Club is on my list of best movies of all time, but it wasn’t until I watched this that I realized how big of an influence the sound design played into that.
Star Wars is one of the most recognizable movie universes ever made. Why? I’d argue that answer lies within the lore and the atmosphere. But I don’t think either could exist without the masterful film score.
Did anything surprise or inspire you? Don’t hesitate to reach out or leave a comment. I want to hear what you think about the world of sound design and some of your favorite sounds from your everyday life.
This is infinitely a work in progress, so I appreciate all the readers willing to roll with me on the journey.
Till next time ya’ll 😎