Sound Insights: The Noisefloor Audio Post Production Blog
Welcome to the Noisefloor audio post production blog, your source for first-hand sound insight straight from a working Chicago studio. This is where we think out loud.
Since 2005, our team of sound designers, Foley artists, composers, mixers, and location recordists have been deeply entrenched in the world of film, TV, video games, and advertising audio. As a result, we have picked up a lot of knowledge worth sharing. Some of the knowledge base came from deadlines, some of it came from swinging a mic at a broken prop.
What You Will Find on This Audio Post Production Blog
This blog covers the entire world of post sound. At times, we might mention a thing or two about post production in general. You will find practical breakdowns of how things actually work on set and in the studio, as well as honest takes on tools and workflows. Beyond that, we go behind the scenes with the Noisefloor team. We dig into corners of audio craft that are not often talked about. From Foley and sound design to mixing and music composition, there is something here for every stage of post production.
Our sound design and mixing services span film, television, commercials, podcasts and video games. Want to know who is writing this stuff? Meet the team. We also recommend the Motion Picture Sound Editors for more industry reading.
Chicago sound people through and through, we are not here to sell you buzzwords. Instead, this is a space to talk about the work we love. After all, real production insight only comes from two decades of actually doing it.
Pull up a chair. The faders are up.
The Walkie-Talkie: The Unsung Hero of Film Sets
The Importance of Walkie-Talkies In Film Production Motorola CP200 Walkie-Talkies for film production has long relied on clear and instant communication to coordinate the numerous moving parts involved in bringing a cinematic vision to life. While the cutting-edge technology and processes have evolved over the decades, one piece of equipment has remained an essential part of any film set: the walkie-talkie. The walkie-talkie, or two-way radio, was first developed for military use during World War II, allowing soldiers to communicate [...]
Inked & Mic’d Up: Introducing Our Tattoo Machine SFX Library
Buzzzzzzzzzz...... What's that sound? Does your sound effects library need some new ink?! We have the perfect tattoo machine sound effects library for you. We think our Tattoo Machine sound effects will be a great permanent addition to your library. We brought in a professional tattoo artist to perform various techniques at different speeds with multiple needles... Capturing close up detailed mechanics as well as perspectives of full tattoo pieces. Whether it's a small tattoo or a full chest piece, [...]
Unveiling the Art of Foley: Crafting Realism in Soundscapes
When you watch a movie or play a video game, the world you experience is a symphony of sights and sounds that blend seamlessly to create an immersive experience. While visual effects and storytelling play vital roles, the unsung heroes behind the scenes, known as Foley Artists, contribute a significant part in bringing these audiovisual narratives to life. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the fascinating world of Foley, exploring how these talented individuals craft realism in soundscapes. What […]
Meet our Fall 2022 Interns!
We are thrilled to introduce you to our interns for Fall 2022. They’ve been brightening our office with their curiosity and enthusiasm and we can’t wait to see what’s next for this talented bunch! DIVYA BAROD Divya first got into audio after watching a video of foley artists recording bizarre sounds. They were making and recording sounds from things like wet paper towels and lettuce to ultimately match to scenes from Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and A Quiet […]
The Creative Process with Composer Devin Delaney
Devin Delaney is the perpetually working head composer of Noisefloor’s music department. As a creative, Devin brings a unique blend of versatile musicianship, technical skill, artistic openness, steadfast diligence, as well as a deep emotional intelligence as a storyteller. We had a chat with Devin about his creative process and how he works with clients, read it all below! What is the first step you take on a new project? Usually we start off a new project with a creative […]
Meet The Mural
We are so excited to officially introduce you to our new mural! Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor/Partner Bryen Hensley first came up with the idea for the mural years ago. His idea was a mural that would celebrate our portfolio of work and our continued passion for video games. The mural would feature a collection of our favorite characters from video games we’ve worked on. However, the idea was put on the back burner when we suddenly had to relocate our […]
Do I Need a DCP? A DCP FAQ
What is a DCP? A Digital Cinema Package(DCP) is a collection of files that allow movie theater servers to recognize and play your film on the big screen. The digital equivalent of a 35MM film print, DCP is a universal industry standard format used by nearly every modern movie theater, worldwide. Do I need a DCP? If you’re planning on screening your film in a theater, it’s likely you’ll need a DCP. To confirm check the delivery requirements of the […]
Meet our Summer 2022 Interns!
We are thrilled to introduce you to our Summer 2022 interns. They’ve all been a joy to have around the office and we can’t wait to see what they do next. Jordan Drummond Jordan Drummond is currently a student at Columbia College Chicago, he’ll be a Junior this fall. He has been interning with our Music Department this summer. His journey into audio began with his love for music, which his parents instilled in him from an early age. Jordan’s […]
Do I need a Boom Operator?
This is a question we get all the time from our location audio clients. If you need sound recorded during your production, hiring a Sound Mixer should be an easy decision. But what about a Boom Operator? Should you hire a Boom Op along with your Sound Mixer? To answer this question, we checked in with one of our Production Sound Mixers, Joe Vnuck. In my opinion, every production should consider hiring a Boom Operator in addition to […]
