Get started with sound design in just 3 steps

• Sound, Started

4 min. (845 words)

get-started-with-sound-design-in-just-3-steps

Understanding how audio serves to further amplify your motion design

I am a motion designer, not a sound engineer so why do I need to understand sound design?

This is a fair point.

Having at least a surface-level knowledge of sound design will help you

  • Gain a deeper appreciation for sound design
  • Have a better idea how long to allocate for sound design in a motion design project
  • Collaborate more effectively with sound designers and engineers
  • Have fun experimenting with adding sound to your motion designs

The latter the main reason why I am exploring this area.

I have never thought of myself as an audio expert yet have always been drawn to the power of aural stimuli and how it can enhance the visual.

Here are three steps to get started.

When starting something new I like to remind myself of a quote by Arthur Ashe

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

There will always be an obstacles in your way when trying to do something.

Yet there will also be a path around the obstacle.

You can choose to focus on the obstacle or focus your energy on find the path.

The choice is yours.

Ok, there are four basic items we need to get started.

(i) Laptop

First up is, of course, a laptop.

It doesn’t need to be a laptop specifically but can be a desktop or some kind of workstation where you can access audio files and your motion design files.

(ii) Sound card

Ok, I will admit that when I first heard this one that I had no clue what it was.

So I had t consult Mr. Google for further clarification.

Without getting too technical, a sound card is an expansion card or IC for producing sound on a computer so that the audio can be heard through speakers or headphones.

Most often they are included on every machine in one form or the other, either in an expansion slot or built into the motherboard.

If you can hear sound through your headphones or speakers when they are connected to your computer then you don’t need to worry.

You have everything you need to begin.

(iii) Headphones

When it comes to headphones you can go high end and splurge for a pair of Beats by Dr. Dre or go budget and use the same earphones you use with your phone.

As long as you can hear the audio clearly enough to mix and balance the sound you are good to go.

(iii) Recorder

Similar to headphones, you can go high end and acquire an Akai Professional MPC X, or you can take Arthur Ashe’s advice and simply

Use what you have.

Generally, most smartphones have a recording function or there are free apps you can download and use such as the following

And also ones you can buy such as

Please note that I am in no way affiliated with any of the above links. I am just sharing the knowledge and mainly use my phone to record audio from my surroundings.

Having a recorder in your pocket can make life more interesting.

As a creative, you may be used to capturing the world around you through sketches or photography.

Capturing the sounds that surround us each day, creates an additional dimension to add a richness to the everyday. Yet documenting the sounds that fill our world can add another dimension to your daily life and make it an interesting adventure.

In my previous article about the five basic elements of sound design, I recommended Adobe Audition CC as a starting point. Most motion designers will probably use Adobe After Effects and therefore also have a Creative Cloud subscription.

This is a good place to start especially if you have a small scale project or are just beginning to dabble in sound design.

However, if you are a bit more advanced and will be working on largescale projects or ina studio setting something like Cubase may be more suitable.

Again it depends on your budget, what kind of project you are working on and what kind of investment you wish to make into sound design. But Cubase can be used as a free trial but as with most software does have potential restrictions compared with the full version.

There are many sound libraries to choose from such as

These are just a few, but there are many others.

The right choice for you depends on what kind of set up you have — Mac or PC or what kind of sound you are trying to create.

Alternatively, you could acquire a synthesizer and just go nuts, like this guy.

Awesome synthesizer GIF courtesy of GIPHY

Ok, I am going to out it out in the universe.

I have always had a not so secret obsession with synths.

If anyone can recommend a good go-to place to source one I shall make it my mission to create one of kind music to a piece of motion design.

As always thank you for taking the time to read.

82 comments

  2. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
    Extremely helpful information specially the last part
    🙂 I care for such information a lot. I used to be looking for this certain information for a very lengthy time.
    Thank you and good luck.

  4. You actually make it appear really easy along
    with your presentation however I find this topic
    to be actually one thing that I feel I would by
    no means understand. It seems too complex and very huge for
    me. I am looking forward in your next put up, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of it!

  6. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
    I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  11. I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your site?
    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
    But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people
    could connect with it better. Youve got an awful
    lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images. Maybe you could space
    it out better?

    my web site :: 918kiss 2 android download

  12. Hello, for all time i used to check weblog posts here in the early hours in the morning,
    for the reason that i love to gain knowledge
    of more and more.

    Feel free to surf to my web-site :: game greatwall99 online (mega888-app.com)

  14. Have you ever thought about creating an ebook or guest
    authoring on other websites? I have a blog based on the same information you discuss and would
    love to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would enjoy your work.
    If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.

    My site :: epicwin id test

  16. We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.

    Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job
    and our whole community will be thankful to you.

  20. Excellent blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?

    I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a
    little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress
    or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m
    totally confused .. Any recommendations? Thank you!

    Also visit my website: wm casino download

  30. Hello, i think that i noticed you visited my web site thus i got here to go back the want?.I am trying to
    find things to improve my website!I suppose its good enough to use some of
    your concepts!!

    Feel free to surf to my site … https://kebe.top/

  32. Thank you so much regarding giving us an update on this matter on your web site.
    Please understand that if a brand new post appears or if perhaps any modifications occur with
    the current post, I would be thinking about reading a lot
    more and finding out how to make good utilization of those strategies you share.

    Thanks for your efforts and consideration of others by making this
    blog available.

    my site https://islamturkbirligi.tk

  33. I’m really impressed together with your writing talents and also with the layout on your
    blog. Is that this a paid subject matter or did you
    modify it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent high quality writing, it is
    uncommon to peer a nice blog like this one nowadays.

    Feel free to surf to my web site mpc-install.com

  45. I and also my pals have been analyzing the excellent thoughts found on the website while
    the sudden came up with an awful suspicion I never thanked the web site owner for them.
    My men became for that reason passionate to read them and already have surely been making
    the most of these things. Many thanks for indeed being quite thoughtful and for picking out this form of impressive useful guides millions
    of individuals are really wanting to learn about. My personal
    honest apologies for not saying thanks to you sooner.

    Also visit my blog – http://duna-anapa.net.ru/

  50. Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is so cool.
    I am impressed by the details that you have on this blog.
    It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles.

    You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already
    searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across.
    What an ideal web-site.

    Also visit my web site :: https://kebe.top/viewtopic.php?id=1871022

  57. I must get across my passion for your kind-heartedness supporting men and women who have the
    need for help on this particular area of interest.
    Your personal dedication to getting the solution along was wonderfully informative and has truly enabled girls just like me to attain their ambitions.
    Your entire valuable instruction means a lot to me and still
    more to my peers. Regards; from all of us.

    Also visit my blog – kebe.top

  67. Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with
    us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m
    bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Terrific blog and wonderful design.

    Feel free to surf to my web blog Tri-Bol Testo Pills

  68. Hello all, here every one is sharing these know-how, thus
    it’s fastidious to read this blog, and I used to pay
    a visit this web site all the time.

    Also visit my webpage – Breeze Tec

  73. I’m really inspired along with your writing skills as neatly as with the layout for your weblog.

    Is that this a paid theme or did you customize it your self?
    Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to peer a
    nice weblog like this one today..

    Stop by my web page Keto Lipozin Ingredients

  74. Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.

    The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Ie.
    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do
    with web browser compatibility but I figured
    I’d post to let you know. The design look great though!
    Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Cheers

    Also visit my website :: Premium Shot Keto

  77. I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but
    great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much
    more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking
    for this information for my mission.

    my web blog … Boltz Pro

  78. Great blog here! Additionally your site a lot up fast! What host are you
    using? Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink in your
    host? I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol.

    Feel free to surf to my web page :: VitaSilkLux

  79. Hi there! This blog post couldn?t be written much
    better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He continually kept talking about this. I most certainly will send this article to him.
    Pretty sure he’s going to have a very good read.
    Thanks for sharing!

    My web page :: Air Cooler Pro Review

  81. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog
    and wanted to mention that I have truly loved surfing around your
    weblog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing in your feed and I am hoping
    you write once more soon!

    Look into my web-site … Muama Ryoko Reviews

  82. Hey there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using
    for this website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
    I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    Also visit my web site :: Dick Fuel

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.