How to make Sound Effects - Part 2
Diving into the world of sound design and sound effect creation can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Learn how to create high quality sound effects for your project with just a few household items. The biggest asset you can have for sound design is your imagination. Think of how an object can sound if handled differently, this type of thinking is integral to sound design. Be sure to check out How to Make Sound Effects Part 1 for more sound design tricks.
Just because your subject is wearing light clothing doesn’t mean you should use light clothing to make your sound, in this example denim would actually be a better material to use. Other ideas can include repurposing items for other sounds such as using scrap metal sounds for a robot transformation. By recording your own sounds you can match the action on screen better and further draw in your audience as well as have the satisfaction that everything is your creation. With some foley studio recording techniques as well as editing and mixing tricks, using royalty free sound effect library resources will be a thing of the past. To learn more about mixing sound effects read 7 Helpful Tips for Creating Sound Effects.
How to Make Gore Sound Effects
You can create gore flesh rip and splash sounds by:
- Scrub together wet leather
- Crush tomatoes and other fruits for splatters.
- Potatoes are great for crunchy sounds.
- Rip celery and peppers for flesh ripping sounds.
How to Make Electricity Sound Effects
You can create an electrical crackle by:
- Put tape on a window and slowly remove it to get a crackling sound
- Experiment removal speed.
How to Make Energy Shield Sound Effects
Make a defensive energy shield deflection or activation sound.
- Heat up a frying pan and drop an egg on it.
- Reverse the sound and add flanger for a more processed sound.
How to Make Earthquake Sound Effects
How to create seismic earthquake rattle sounds.
- Gather an assortment of nuts such as cashers, trail mix and even rice.
- Crush them in your hands slowly.
- Compress and boost low end for a stronger sound.
How to Make Bullet Impact Sound Effects
A less dangerous way to get bullet sounds.
- Find a sling shot and shoot metal washers, pennies and other small metallic objects on a hillside.
- Experiment with shooting surfaces.
How to Make Footsteps in Snow Sound Effects
Create snow crunch footstep sound effects with help from your pet.
- Find some cat litter and step on it for a nice crunch.
How to Make Footsteps on Dry Leaves Sound Effects
Add foley footsteps sounds walking on dry leaves.
- Take some cereal and crush them in your hands, Corn Flakes work great.
How to Make Frying Sound Effects
Create sizzle sound effects for cooking scenes.
- Touch a wet towel on a hot surface.
- Flick some water at a hot surface.
How to Make Laser Gun Sound Effects
Learn how to make sci-fi laser gun sounds.
- Suspend a metal object like a slinky or cable and hit it in multiple spots
- Experiment with hitting objects.
How to Make Jungle Trekking Sound Effects
Create walking through heavy leaves in a jungle with household items.
- Rub straws between your hands.
How to Make Mechanical Door Sound Effects
Making old door rusty sounds.
- Roll a skateboard.
- Experiment with rolling surfaces.
How to Make Bubble Sound Effects
Make bubbles the fun way.
- Blow some bubbles in water.
How to Make Water Sound Effects
Making splashing, swishing and dripping sounds.
- Fill a bathtub and swish the water around.
How to Make Body Shot Sound Effects
Create action fight body shots with padded objects.
- Punch something puffy and soft like a pillow or couch.
- Experiment with placing items like paper on our pillow or couch before punching.
- Compress your sound for a stronger punch.
How to Make Horse Hoof Sound Effects
Add horse gallop sounds with food.
- Gallop around 2 coconut shells.
How to Make Clothing Rustle Sound Effects
Create dynamic foley cloth sounds with different clothing.
- Rub heavy cloth materials together like denim.
- Sometimes it’s better to not match the material on screen.
In conclusion, create a budget foley stage and start experimenting. Knowing how to create your own SFX is a great asset for any content creator and will make sound design work enjoyable. If you're curious about using music to create mood and complement your sounds, try reading How Music Intervals can Trick your Brain.