How to do Sound Design...

When you are creating sound design, you need to be aware of the process. Here's the basics of what you need to do!

A) Read the SCRIPT! Each time with a different purpose:
    1) Understanding the story
    2) Think about MOODS in each scene (and when they change). Identify the specific moments for specific SOUNDS--jot these down in the margins or on a DRAFT Sound Cue Sheet. Sample Sound Cue Sheet.

B) Meet with the director & find out what her/his vision is for the show. What types of music, sounds and mood does s/he want to bring out?

C)Refine and complete your Sound Cue Sheet (your planned cues). Here is the cue sheet we will be using. Notice there are LETTERS for cues (numbers are used for lighting cues!)

Solo = 10-15 Cues including:
Partners = 15 Cues including: 

• At least one (1) voiceover (Label with "VO")
• At least two-four (2-4)  homemade sound effects (Label with "Homemade") 
• At least three (3) edited sound effects (Labeled as "FXed")
• At least one (1) mixed music piece (Label as "Mixed". Be sure to include original in the sound folder)

D) FIND or MAKE your Sound Cues! Decide which cues are going to be "LIVE" and which will be recorded! Pay attention to using sound which you have the right to use! Be aware of copyright laws and the fact that artists work is not free. You must have permission to use work!

Some open source sites:
SoundCloud
Jamendo
Freesound.org'
Soundbible.com
BBC Sound Effects Library

How to MIX/Edit Cues:
Audacity is a great program for recording any sound and mixing it together;
GarageBand is helpful for making your own music and tunes, but only available on Macs.
LMMS is an open-source program that those with Windows can use. (Those interested in more programs can check them out here)

E) Save your edited sounds into Google Drive. Make sure you label them correctly. For example:
A.PreshowMusic.mp3 (CueLetter.Description.mp3).

F) Once you have all of your sounds/music recorded, import your sounds to a theatre playback program. MAKE a playlist in order of the cues you made on the Sound Cue Sheet. (Make sure all of your sounds are the correct sound files--MP3 or WAVs.) Many people use programs like iTunes, but for theatre shows, programs like MultiPlay (PCs) or QLab (Macs) allow better flexibility for our needs.)

G)  Try it out in the space! Run practices with speakers, microphones & levels.

H) Practice with actors to get your timing! This is known as a TECHNICAL REHEARSAL!