Introduction to Sound Design
In theatre, there are a number of different designers; lighting, set, and costume designers to name but a few but none are as misunderstood as the West End Sound Designer.
As a musical theatre sound engineer, I have worked with a number of International and UK Tour Sound Designers and in this post, I will show you exactly what is a Sound Designer, what they do with theatre sound design (They don’t just create sound effects) and how you can become a sound designer.
Before I explain what they do, I’ll go into what exactly is sound design.
What is Sound Design?
Sound Design Explained
Theatre Sound Design is the creation of atmospheric sound effects and abstract sounds, sonic ambiances, and textures that will take the audience listening on a fabulous journey.
Even though the idea of designing sound has been around for years, The actual process is one of the newest fields in theatre, and second only to the use of projection and other multimedia displays, and it’s always changing and evolving.
Back in the day, if a director wanted a certain theatre sound or sound effect, they would have to rely on musicians to play live sounds or special mechanics to set the tone, (i.e. Wind Machines and metal sheets for storms, real guns and cannons backstage for battle scenes, and mini doors with bolts, locks and knockers)
Today, directors rely on sound designers to use technology and the technical skills of the best sound team to create the best sound and soundscapes.
In his book, Sound Design for the Stage, Gareth Fry says “I like to think of sound design as a voice that exists alongside and amongst the performers’ voices. Sometimes we may choose to speak up, to come to the foreground, and sometimes we may be whispering away in the background.”
What is a Sound Designer?
Sound Designer Responsibilities
The sound designer is responsible for what aural elements the audience hears in a specific production, be it a play, musical, film & TV, concert, or even game.
They do that by working closely with the sound engineer and creative team of directors, producers, writers, designers, actors, singers, musicians and composers teaming up together to produce the best sound and something remarkable.
In the Past
Years ago, the sound designer and the theatre sound design process was often overlooked. This was mostly down to the lack of people who knew what they were doing. So it was common for the directors, stage managers or LX teams to produce sounds for the production and to be in charge of the sound.
Over recent years, sound technology has changed and evolved and the sound responsibilities have been taken on by a dedicated person, the sound designer. Sound Design and audio engineering is now an integral part of the audio production for the show.
What is the Role of a Sound Designer?
A sound designer’s Job
I get asked all the time, “what does a sound designer do?”. Well, a West End sound designer is involved in using a digital audio workstation, post-production sound editing, creating sound effects and/or recording multi-channel sound effects, soundscapes and sonic textures and music production, live and pre-recorded music for certain venues or specific theatres on tour.
Sound Reinforcement and Amplification
It can also involve vocal sound reinforcement and amplification, sourcing sound equipment, sound system design, and performance space acoustics. Sound Designers work with an audio sound team.
As a new fresh-faced designer straight out of college, your responsibilities and contribution to a production or musical may differ from that of a designer who has a few sound designs under their belt.
New Sound Designers
New Sound designers to the industry with little experience are more sound effect designers. They will have designed a few college shows but that will mainly involve just sourcing SFX from sound libraries or recording their own sounds for the production and not installing sound systems, timing and EQ’ing it for a venue as most colleges already have the equipment in place. They are basically a sound editor.
This will probably continue into their first few professional contracts.
Essential skills of a Sound Designer
Now you know what a sound designer is and what they do, let’s talk about what skills do a sound designer need. Other than being good at music technology and creating a beautiful aural world, and the usual audio engineering skills, what other skills serve them best.
The Art of Communication
Many sound designers would probably agree that without this you will be stuck. That’s because as a part of the creative team, the director and other team members will want to put forward ideas to you. These ideas may not just be about the sound of the show, so not only will you have to know what’s good and bad, you will have to be able to explain yourself in a way everyone understands.
Great communication works well when dealing with actors about why they might need to wear a radio pack, or why they can or can’t have vocal foldback. You might need to get your point across in a supportive but firm way.
Keeping an open dialogue with everyone is essential.
The Art of Negotiation and Persuasion
This is another skill I feel you should be good at because it can help you both your working life and home life.
Most people think the art of negotiation is all about money and work, but I disagree. We negotiate and persuade every day. If you have kids, it can start with just getting them to school. You might say to your partner, “You cook the kids breakfast and I’ll take them to school” or you might persuade a work colleague to finish your paperwork and give them a longer lunch break.
As a sound designer, you might need to negotiate short-term contracts for yourself and the production team with a producer or persuade a lighting designer (the person responsible for creating the lights for the show) that you need to place a speaker on the truss exactly where they want to put a moving light.
There are a number of great books on the subject of negotiation and persuasion.
What is the Difference Between a Sound Designer and a Sound Engineer
Sound Designer vs Sound Engineer
A sound designer “designs” the show as I’ve described above.
A sound engineer recreates that design by mixing the show and making changes during the show when needed. They normally do this with a style of mixing called line-by-line mixing.
Julius Green says in his book “How to produce a West End Show, “The sound mix has to take into account all sorts of variables such as the number of people in the auditorium and the condition of the performers’ voices. A good sound engineer is therefore crucial to the successful execution of the sound design.”
How to Become a Good Sound Designer
To become a good sound designer, you should start by developing a strong understanding of sound and its various elements, such as pitch, volume, and timbre. You should also familiarise yourself with the tools of the trade, such as audio editing software like Pro Tools and QLab and sound recording equipment. Additionally, it can be helpful to have a background in music, as this can give you a better understanding of how to create and manipulate sound.
Find a Mentor
Find a sound designer that you like and follow their work. Read interviews and go see their shows and ask yourself why have they designed the show the way they have. What would you do differently?
Another important aspect of becoming a good sound designer is to gain experience by working on a variety of projects. This can involve collaborating with other artists, working on independent projects, or interning with a sound design firm. As you gain experience, you can also network with other professionals in the field and continue to learn and develop your skills.
Become an Associate Sound Designer
Working with an established designer is a great way to hone your skills in either live sound or post-production sound. Lots of designers have associates to help spread the workload. This is a great way to help design a large show while being taken under their wing.
Overall, becoming a good sound designer requires a combination of knowledge, experience, and skill. It can be a challenging and competitive field, but with dedication and hard work, you can become a successful sound designer.
UK Sound Designers
Below is a list of UK sound designers I’ve worked with.
Gareth Fry
Andrew Bruce
Bobby Aitken
Rick Clarke
Greg Pink
Andrew Johnson
Tony Gayle
Mick Potter
Key Points and Conclusion
In theatre, the sound designer works closely with the director and other designers to create a cohesive and immersive audio experience for the audience. This includes designing and setting up the sound system, choosing and creating sound effects, working with the music director to incorporate pre-recorded music and live instruments, and working with the actors to ensure their microphones are functioning properly.
The sound designer also has to take into account the acoustics of the theatre space and the needs of the production, such as ensuring the sound is audible for all audience members and not causing any technical issues.
Overall, the sound designer plays a crucial role in creating a seamless and impactful audio experience for the audience, and their work is essential to the overall success of a production.
Some key points about sound design include:
- Sound design involves creating and manipulating audio elements, such as dialogue, sound effects, and music, in order to enhance the overall experience of a production.
- Sound designers use a variety of tools and techniques, including digital audio software, sound libraries, and specialized equipment, to create and manipulate audio.
- The role of a sound designer is to work closely with the director and other members of the creative team to develop a unique and immersive audio experience for the production.
- Sound design is a crucial part of many forms of media, as it helps to set the mood, create atmosphere, and enhance the emotional impact of a production.
In conclusion, sound design is a vital part of many forms of media, as it helps to create a rich and immersive audio experience for the audience. Sound designers are skilled professionals who use a variety of tools and techniques to create and manipulate audio, working closely with the director and other members of the creative team to enhance the overall experience of a production.
Final Words
Storytelling has been around for thousands of years and that’s what you are doing only with sound and it’s up to you how big or small you take that story.
So push the boundaries, build fantastic relationships and go become a sound designer.