As we are currently working on our new “SciFi” BOOM Library I had to do a lot of research about science fiction sounds and their specific sonic characteristics. Axel is always busy gathering together the best video material to provide an excellent inspirational resource and I spend a lot of time watching them over and over again to meet the high expectations. One particular movie has always been very important for me as its sound design is renowned for being top notch and unique: The Transformers Series.

If you type “Transformers Sound Design” into Google you will be amazed how many requests there are for “how do I create Transformers sounds and how do I get that special, unique sounding effect on their movements?” It is indeed a quite tricky process, but our new BOOM Library “SciFi” will definitely help to get a good sounding result.

First of all a lot of people make the mistake to think that all the morph sounds are just synth based. Of course you can create a wobbly, building up sound with one of the thousands synth plug-ins out there which will probably also go along with the movement of the Transformer. The most important parts though, which you will hear when you listen really closely to the Transformers movies, are the metallic rattles, the squeaks and hydraulic movements which bring the robots to life. For the transformation process in this video (which can be watched at the very bottom of this post) I just used BOOM Library SciFi’s metal rattles, hydraulic movements, car door impacts and one rising synth sample as my base material. No special plug in chains were applied either as you can see in the following picture.

The Logic Flanger, Vocal Transformer (it’s in the name already isn’t it?) and Tremolo are among my most used plug ins of all time. It’s one of the reasons why I still work with Logic for particular projects, Pro Tools simply doesn’t provide me with these little helpers. (Yes I do indeed use both Logic and Pro Tools for SFX, a future post will explain why). So I used the Flanger for the typical flanging effect, then added the Tremolo to make some kind of a stutter movement and finally automated the pitch using the Vocal Transformer.

To spice up the overall sound design I also added rock slides, rock scrapes, a tire skid, and two different car sounds. The rock slides were recorded by Axel Rohrbach and me about three years ago. They have never really been used as they were recorded with our old and not too good equipment. Anyway, heavily pitched down and enhanced with the UAD Pultec Pro EQ they really fit in well in the mix and provided an aggressive sound for the Transformer hitting its claws into the concrete.

I used BOOM Library – Everyday Cars for the car sounds. The BMW 318i engine accelerating sample was pitched up some semitones and provided the perfect amount of anger for the chasing police car whereas the Transformers Truck got a pitched down, deep and powerful sound of the Subaru Forester. The tire skid was a pitched down and normalised start sound of the Fiat Panda (Yes, Fiat Panda, you heard right). To contain the BOOM Library – Only attitude for this particular clip I finally muted the police siren I added in the first place. Some mighty EMP shockwave probably destroyed it the scene before..

Here is the redesigned scene taken out of “Transformers 2 – Revenge Of The Fallen”. It is courtesy of Paramount Pictures. I uploaded it with new sound effects for research purposes.

It is actually happening! After five years I finished my studies in Salzburg, now I can call myself “Master of Arts in Design and Arts”. I am so glad this is over as from now on I will be able to fully concentrate on my sound work without being distracted by university for the first time in my life.

I do also have a big move ahead of me. In about two weeks I will pack my bags to go and settle down in London. It will be a good opportunity to expand my network and to look for new exciting projects I can lay my hands and ears on.

I will also try to dedicate more time on blogging in the near future to keep you updated about the latest news of the architect of sound.

Cheers, David

While working on several projects in the last few months I also had to finish my master thesis where I have been working on since December 2011. I dealt with the general question of what does the audience hear, examined the history of hearing and perception and did some case studies on actual interactive and linear media. If you are interested in that topic you may want to read the following abstract:

“This master thesis, titled ‚The Audience Is Listening – Of Hearing And Perception‘, starts off with an examination of the term ‚audience‘, explaining its importance in this paper. After taking a closer look at the anatomy of the human ear and the brain‘s processing ability of sounds, research about the historical development of the sonical perception and human hearing habits will be presented. Furthermore the transition to the age of the industrial- and electrical revolution will be explained as both caused a drastic change to the sound of the world. This leads to the everyday soundscape which is today surrounding all human beings. After that there will be a critical view on whether or not an auditive turn will bring an end to the long lasting visual dominance. The second section turns special attention to silence, to its presence in the daily surroundings of human beings and its usage in contemporary media. The third section discusses interactive and linear media. After focusing on specific theories and techniques there will be a more practical view using case studies in the third chapter.The final part presents the conclusion and will answer the original research question ,what does the audience hear?‘ This section reveals the author‘s own opinion and provides a summary of the theoretical positions discussed in the course of this paper.” (Philipp 2012)

It was indeed a very interesting topic to work on, especially in my point of view as a sound designer I could gain some really useful scientific insights of the human perception and hearing habits.

Cheers, David

It’s time for a blog post again and as I discovered my ‘recording’ category, which I created the first time I was using my wp-theme, I will give you an insight in one of my latest and probably most awkward recording sessions. For Metronome UK I am taking part in a pitch right now, unfortunately I am not allowed to tell you any details except it involved ‘soda fountains’ and creating music out of these more or less characteristic sounds. First thing I did (obviously) was to call one of the leading fast food restaurant chains to ask if I could come around in the morning to record these liquids. And what a surprise, I got absolutely rejected.. Nevermind I thought and just drove there in the morning armed with my pocket recorder and my friend and colleague Chris. I bought two small drinks – refilling included – and recorded the shit out of the soda fountain in stealth mode. All in all it was quite a ninja experience and we both felt sick after drinking loads of coke and sprite. I then went to another pub who gave me permission to record there machine with a proper mic (MKH 8040) and my Sound Devices recorder. Obviously the recording was way better in quality but therefore I missed the ninja/stealth aspect.

I’m afraid this won’t be part of a BOOM library

I will definitely keep you posted about the progress of the pitch and will post the results once it is done. Pff, pff, pssssst..

Cheers, David

I take the opportunity of today’s rare date for yet another blog post. I know I have recently been rubbish with keeping my blog up to date but I promise I am still busy getting things done.

Actually I’m involved in a lot of projects right now. Firstly I am trying hard to get my masters done until the end of June. Quite a big mission to write on one’s dissertation whilst one is supposed to do a lot of sound design work and composing for a various amount of projects. I am more than half way through with writing though and I can’t wait to swap my ‘typing’ keyboard with my pro-tools one again. Btw, I am writing about the mediumship of the listener, so it’s quite a useful and informative thing for my daily sound work as well.

Secondly I find myself creating loads of monster sounds again. No, we are not talking about a new BOOM Library… It’s one of the biggest game projects I have ever been involved in so far and I am happy to work closely once again with my beloved Dynamedion team. I can’t wait until the developer releases some first news about the release as I will just then be allowed to post some insights in my sound design work as well.

I have recently also been busy working with my friend Walter Mair (The Metronome) again on some commercials and pitches. One of the adverts was created for the chinese sneaker company 361°, where I was responsible for SFX, whilst Walter was busy working on the music. The spot should be on air right now and once I find it on the web I will be posting it in my auditory section.

Updates should arrive soonish, fingers crossed I get my studies done until the end of June, then I will be able to start a flood of blog posts again!

Cheers, David

First of all, Happy New Year! I am sorry that I have been a bit lazy recently updating my blog, but there’s a lot on at the moment and I am pretty sure 2012 will be a very exciting year for me.

I am currently working on several different projects: BOOM Library is going out in the field again to provide fresh sounds for 2012. Make sure you stay tuned for any updates! Axel Rohrbach is working hard on our “Guns 2″ library and I am sure it is going to blow people away again – literally!! We have also just released “The Interface” where I had a co-supervising role besides creating a bunch of sfx for it as well. You can read my short article about it on Designing Sound.

At Dynamedion we are working on of the most exciting AAA titles coming in 2012. Right now I am still sworn to secrecy but the first thing I will do is to announce the game’s title when the developer releases first insights. We were also officially nominated for the “German Developers Award 2011″ and awarded for the best soundtrack: Crysis 2 – Congrats to my composer mates!

I am also very pleased to announce my constant growing working relationship with award winning composer Walter Mair. You may know him from soundtracks for the “Inception”, “Avatar” and “Transformers” trailers or from parts of the “Batman – Dark Knight” Soundtrack. Our collaboration of work for the “Pixomondo Showreel” was just the beginning and there are a lot more exciting projects to come.

While being busy working 24/7 I am also writing my master thesis regarding “The Mediumship of the Listener” and creating sound effects for our master game “Balloon Quest”.

I hope the world will survive 2012, I am not yet ready for the apocalypse!!

Cheers, David

After a long period of working on several different projects my new website david-philipp.com is finally online. From now on you can read here about the latest projects, recordings and various other things about the architect of sound. I also want to thank my friends from Fragile Obscurity, Jürgen and Melanie for their great work on my new CI and helping me setting up my new blog! You guys are amazing!

To all my visitors: I hope you enjoy viewing my various projects and reading my regular blogs. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any new projects you would like me to work on. Make sure you check out all the latest projects in the auditory section and stay tuned for any future updates!

Cheers, David