Imphenzia

This year I went to the Nynäs Offshore Race which takes place only a 30 minute walk from my home in Nynäshamn. I brought my new "field recording kit" that may not be the most portable setup in the world, but it gives me the best option for recording directional spot mono audio using a Rode NTG3 shotgun microhpone and environmental ambiences and stereo effects with a pair of Sennheiser MKH 8040 micorphones. The mics are housed in wind-protecting Rode and Rycote blimps with dead kittens (those huge furry things to block most of the wind.) I record the 3 channels of audio into a Sound Devices 633 field mixer at 192 kHz 24 bit audio. I recorded quite a few powerboats as the passed by - but getting usable game audio is quite tricky. I'll tell you why: First of all, there is a PA system with an announcer that feels obligated to speak non-stop which is great for the audience but terrible for someone who wants to capture the boats and nothing else. I had to find a spot close eno...

Last week I recorded an old steam train that goes between Dalhem and Roma on the Swedish island of Gotland. I was there on a holiday trip with my family but I took the opportunity to go to the train twice to perform some recording for Universal Sound FX. Today I put together a video that demonstrates some of what goes into recording the audio (which is later mastered and sound designed before making it to the library):

Today I released a new version of Universal Sound FX adding another 497 sound effects increasing the grand total to 3585 high quality sound effects. Some of the new sound effects include audience clapping and cheering, impacts, elevators, foley, mechanics, monsters, swords, energy beams, weapons, steam train, motorcycles, chainsaws, tools, glass, fireworks, paper and books, animal and insects. USFX_NewInVersion1.2.PDF provides a detailed listing of the newly added sound effects. You can also get the full listing PDF which also highlights the new effects added in version 1.2 in orange: USFX_FileListing.PDF

It took me another month to complete the room, but I am pleased to say that now it's finally ready! I'll break down the steps that followed from my last "making of" post. Basically, the room was structurally ready with all the walls, ceiling, and door so it was sound proofing and final touches that remained. I also spent went to the US for a 10-day trip with some friends which ate away some of my time... and funds... At this stage, the sound is like an echo chamber. A rectangular room with flat plaster board surfaces and a hard floor. I also bought 10W LED-lights (750 lumen each) that I put up into the corners and I put some simple electrical wiring up. I ended up opting for normal extension leads because I want to be able to take the lights down and relocate them in the room if necessary. The reason I went for LED-lights are primarily because they are silent (no humming) and they don't generate much heat which benefits both the room temperature and also it won...

Over a month has passed since I started to build the sound recording room so it's time for another update. I have been able to spend about 6-7 full working days since the last update and the room is coming along nicely. Back in late Feburary I put up the first few plaster boards on the two walls that would be closest to the outer walls of the garage. I had to start by only putting those plaster boards up since I needed exterior access and I if I were to put all boards up it would be difficult to move the already heavy construction close to the exterior walls. There are two layers of plaster boards, the first ones were mounted vertically and the second layer horizontally to minimize sound leaking through the cracks. Lot's of screws were used and it took longer to put boards up than I first anticipated. Putting up the horizontal boards took some trickery being on my own, lifting up the upper board dropping it onto a 1cm ledge hoping it wouldn't slip off and slam down on my to...

Due to lack of interest and a minimal amount of downloads of the tracks released during the release marathon I decided to pause (alternatively discontinue) the release marathon to focus on universalsoundfx.com , spaceunity.com , and spacebox4096.com . Hope you still enjoy all the music which is available at http://music.imphenzia.com for the price of a coffee :)

Finally, after months and months of clearing out the garage (it is incredible how much junk accumulates over 10 years), I have started to build the sound absorbing recording room. The sound room will finally enable me to record source material with as little reverb as possible and I've been putting off a lot of recording until I could finish this room. [caption id="attachment_349" align="alignleft" width="200"] Sound Curtain[/caption] I'm making the room as a capsule in my garage with 120x45mm studs and joists. I will put double layer of plaster boards on the outsides and then fill the gaps with 120mm sound-absorbing insulation. [caption id="attachment_350" align="alignright" width="200"] Sound Foam[/caption] I won't put any plasterboard on the inside walls because I want the sound to absorb right into the insulation but I will also be coating the inside with sound absorbing curtains and 80mm sound foam. That sho...