SOUND DESIGN Crash Course

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This includes the 80 minute, in-depth version of this sound design tutorial.

This video sponsored by my favorite sound design tool: Soundly.

(and note that I filmed this video before they even agreed to sponsor it because I've been a superfan for years)

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About me:
I've been making short films for 20 years, starting at age 11. I directed my first feature film, Bad is Bad, in 2010. Made for only $6,000, the film went on to reach over 7 million views and garner critical acclaim. More recently, my short film, Will "The Machine", screened and won awards at film festivals around the world. Released online in 2019, it reached over 1 million views in just a month. I also work as a video editor, cutting ads for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.

DISCLAIMER: Links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

[StandardStoryCo]

Find this video useful? Check out my brand new Patreon for more!

[DerekLieu]

Wow, that reverb with the rubber bands is a great technique! That's so much more efficient than the technique I've used for years and years which uses nesting. I think because I don't use rubber bands, it never crossed my mind. Thanks!

[LivinSalty]

I am in shock. This is unbelievable to me. I just create simple YouTube videos and I think my edits turn out pretty good. But after binging a bunch of your videos I've realized there is SO much I can improve upon. Subscribed and very much looking forward to more of your videos in the future.

[samueltriplett]

Signing up for your patreon now to see the full thing. This is exactly what I'm lacking in my toolbox, I've got no intuition for sound design, and most tutorials focus only on the technical side of things "use this plugin, change the EQ this way, De-Es this stuff" without really getting into the abstract part of the why and how it helps things. Thanks!

[chu]

I have never really notice how helpfull and interesting is sound desing until now, wow

[prayforpeace]

I really appreciate this tutorial. As an editor, sound design has always been my weakness.

[TheMrSneelock]

Already the best channel for filmmakers.

[julianaallocca]

TOP NOCH!!! Thank you for sharing your talent.

[Soundbte]

Definitely gonna try that reverb trick! Adds a really nice touch.

[RwanLink]

This is an incredible video. Soundly will definitly be on my toolset now thank you!

[xvAlien]

found this channel recently and it's been really helpful. praying your activity on here the past few weeks is more a reflection of how you're moving forward than say the past 6 months!

[iocomposer]

Fun stuff. If I ever start a youtube channel, this is the kind of stuff I'll probably make. Cheers fellow sound enthusiast!

[DaSesh]

I love the fact, i can recognize some of the locations of Richmond, VA in your shot..

🐬🐬Lucky Strike specifically, and the Browns Island Bridge Run Scene..

[The-Vibrant-Photography]

Take note of this moment, you will be one of the biggest YouTubers in this "editing education" genre by this time next year.

[tat]

See you at the Patreon man! You are becoming my favorite tuber.

[NerdAffiliated]

Lol. When you pointed out recognizing sounds, in other videos, I laughed out loud. I feel the same, with music.

[DeeptarkoChowdhury]

Insane. Insane. Absolutely insane. Thank you for this.

[chrisprova]

bro ur literally officially my fav film YouTuber lmao, ur stuff Is fucking GOATED

[mobolajiadeolu]

Thanks alot for this, best sound design tutorial I have seen in a while...

[cinematicsounds]

🌟Here is a summary to help you get the info faster, thank me later, you got this!
🎬 Introduction:
• Importance: Sound design is the cheapest and easiest way to improve film production quality.
• Focus: Enhancing audio and storytelling in post-production through creative sound design.

🛠 Tools and Techniques:

• Soundly: A powerful tool for sourcing sound effects, allowing quick and efficient sound design.
• Organizing Sounds: Keep a consistent folder structure for sound effects across projects.

🎨 Sound Design Process:

1. Ambience: Start by adding ambient sounds like wind, birds, or distant water to set the scene.
2. Cross Dissolves: Use cross dissolves for smooth transitions between audio clips to avoid sudden starts and stops.
3. Reverb: Apply reverb to sounds to create a more immersive and echoey effect. Use presets like “Great Hall” for significant reverb effects.

🌬 Building the Soundscape:

• Layering Sounds: Combine multiple sounds to create a richer and fuller audio experience.
• Sound Effects: Use specific effects like camera flashes, football crowds, and whooshes to enhance the visual elements.
• Drones: Employ drones (consistent background sounds) to subtly push the viewer’s emotions in a certain direction.

🎧 Practical Application:

1. Scene Enhancements: Add sounds that match the visuals, such as wind for drone shots or crowd noises for stadium scenes.
2. Risers and Swells: Use risers to build tension and swells for a gradual build-up and release.
3. Delays and Echoes: Implement delay effects to create echoes, adding depth to dialogue or sounds.

🔊 Tips and Tricks:

• Quality Audio: Always use high-quality sound effects to ensure the best output.
• Speed and Pitch Adjustments: Modify the speed and pitch of sounds to fit the scene better.
• Layering for Impact: Layer multiple sounds to enhance key moments, like impacts or dramatic scenes.

⚠ Common Mistakes:

• Overusing Whooshes: Be cautious with whooshes; they can be easily overused and become distracting.
• Balancing Levels: Ensure sound effects are mixed at appropriate levels to avoid overpowering other elements.
• Thinking Outside the Box: Don’t hesitate to use unconventional sounds for unique effects. For example, a heavy rain jacket sound for a luggage drop.

🎬 Finalizing the Project:

• Scene Organization: Keep ambient sounds and music near the bottom of your track layers, with dialogue and production audio at the top.
• Ominous Moments: Use drones and wala (indistinct crowd murmurs) to create an ominous atmosphere in specific scenes.
• Dynamic Effects: Employ dynamic effects like reverb and pitch shifting to enhance the auditory experience.