I think I forgot to explain why I use Ableton only for this theme and use Pro Tools for other themes. The reason for that is that the recordings for this theme require a lot of editing. I need to use different plugins for editing and unfortunately, Pro Tools’ plugin runs in a different format and it does not provide enough effects for editing so I had to use Ableton which has more plugins.
As I mentioned in Week 8, all the recordings are just me improvising by repeating the same thing but in different tones. I found this more fun for editing and gives me ideas on the ways to edit. Anyway, I will now show what I have done for the theme.
You may notice that all the tracks are mainly in white except some are blue. I colour them on purpose to separate the sounds that need to be panned. As shown in the screenshot, that would be the sound of Neo dodging bullets and Agent Smith walking down from the helicopter.
Almost every track has been edited with at least one plugin but they are mostly the same ones. I will list the plugins and editing techniques I have mainly used and explain what they are for:
EQ
I use EQ mainly for two purposes. Firstly, I use them for subtracting and removing the frequencies I don’t want. This will help balance the mix so that it will not sound muddy, especially when combing them with other foleys or sounds. On the other hand, I use them to boost certain frequencies in order to make it sound better, as well as fit into the soundscape in some situations.
Compressor
In the music production scene, compressors are mainly used to process sounds with a lot of transients like drums or vocals to make it stand out of the mix. I apply the same concept to the impacts during the scene to make the impact sound more powerful and punchy, which are mostly guns and pistols.
Reverb/Delay
In my opinion, reverb has an amazing effect that helps to smooth out some glitching or unwanted sounds. Furthermore, I use reverb and delay to shape the sounds that fit into the soundscape of the scene which are all rooftops.
Overdrive/Saturator/Distortion
These effects work in similar ways, where they either amplify the signal or boost the harmonics of the sound. I mainly use them for two purposes. The first one would be making thin sounds sound richer, another reason would be creating some impactful sound effects, including the bullet dodge sound effect as shown below.
Pitching down
I pitch down the sounds to make them unrecognizable and sound more dramatic as it has more low frequencies when I pitch them down. I may pitch some sounds up to match the tone of the sounds that I want to mimic.
Reverse
In some samples, I would reverse them to create a whoosh effect. They are mainly used in Agent Smith’s dodge movements and the knife-throwing movement from Trinity.
Here are some examples of the sounds edited with plugins:
Neo dodging bullets sound
This sound is made by 3 layers with effects. Have a listen to some of the sounds I have made.
Dry:
Here are the effects I have added to one of the tracks:
So first I added a pitch bend tool to tune down the sound to get a very low pitch tone. Then I put a flanger effect to boost the resonance to move the sounds around and fill the space. I added a multiband compressor and a saturation plugin for distortion to make the sound richer and more impactful. Following is EQ for making the sound less saw-like as well as giving space for other layers with high-frequency details. Finally, I put auto panning to make the sound travel more in terms of direction.
With all the effects on:
Pilot transforming into Agent Smith sound
In my opinion, this is the most ridiculous sound I have made for the entire theme. Before explaining it, please have a listen first:
As shown below I have added Decapitator, a distortion plugin; a spectral resonator that boosts a certain frequency’s harmonic and an EQ for shaping the tone. I have pitched down the audio for 2 octaves.
Any ideas of what the original recording sounds like? No? Well, here you go:
That’s it. It’s me speaking gibberish that does not make any sense.
I believe that is pretty much it for the theme. I don’t think there are any more special edits and thoughts on designing a specific sound. Most of them are mainly designed by the same logic. Hopefully you will find this interesting 🙂