WRITTEN BY kyle stockbridge
office administrator OF BOOM BOX POST
As sound editors, we have our own vocabulary for describing the characteristics of the sounds we use in our work. We have our own terminology to describe pitch, timbre, frequency, weight, timing, and even emotion… Sometimes instead of using vocabulary we just replicate the sounds with our mouths… but when we’re discussing our sounds with other collaborators with different backgrounds we may need to reframe how we describe our sounds. As a fun exercise, I started exploring classic musical terms like legato, staccato, and crescendo through the lens of sound effects. In this exercise I researched the terminology and brainstormed sound effects that represent the terms. This exercise was a fun way to expand my musical vocabulary to better communicate sound with collaborators!
Legato
Definition: "Tied or bound together." Notes are played smoothly and connected, with little or no separation between them.
Room hums/drones
Engine steadies
air raid sirens
Animal howls/calls
Whistling winds
Staccato
Definition: "Detached” or “separated." Notes are played short and separated from one another, creating a crisp, punctuated effect.
Typewriter typing
Machine gun
Footsteps
Vibrato
Definition: “Vibrated.” A slight, regular fluctuation in pitch used to add warmth, expression, and richness to a sustained note.
Sirens
Sci-fi synths/theremins
Sheet wobble
Tremolo
Definition: “Trembling.” A rapid repetition of a note or a rapid alternation in volume or bowing that creates a trembling or shaking effect.
Helicopter blades
Multi swish
Monster/Creature Ruckle
Glissando
Definition: “Gliding” or “Sliding.” A continuous slide from one pitch to another, passing through the pitches in between.
String slides
Bomb drop whistle
Harp and Chime gliss
Crescendo
Definition: "Growing." A gradual increase in loudness or intensity.
Synth Risers/Stingers
Reverse cymbals
Power-ups
Storm Winds/Waves
Reverse explosions
Smorzando
Definition: "Dying away" or "diminishing." A gradual decrease in volume, often accompanied by a reduction in energy or intensity until the sound seems to disappear.
Distant foghorn fading out
Commercial jet flying away into the distance
Bell ringing out
Explosion/Thunder tail fading out
If you enjoyed this post, check these out:
Music Mixing Basics For TV & Film: Score Mixing
Lunch & Learn: Recreating A Musical Tune as a Sound Effect