HDSoundFX Initiative

Free Sound Effects Download Pack Available!

HD sfx — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:39:51 +0000

Blastwave FX, an HD Sound Effects Label, is offering the opportunity to download free sound effects from 40 Blastwave FX libraries. The Free Sound Effects Download Pack #1 contains 68 favorite sound effects selections including such sonic novelties as angry goat bleating, bursting fireballs, robot footsteps, a pixie dust fly-by, digital glitch, low frequency tremors, and many, many more! These sound effects are available for all to use on a royalty-free basis via a Creative Commons License. So download here and use as you wish!

What is the HD Sound FX Initiative?

HD sfx — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:02:19 +0000

The HD Sound Effects Initiative (HDsoundeffects.org) is an industry-wide consortium dedicated to fostering the awareness, adoption and use of high definition audio and sound effects libraries in professional media production. Organized by Pro Sound Effects with endorsement from leading library publishers Sound Ideas, Hollywood Edge, Digieffects and Blastwave FX , the HD Sound Effects Initiative serves as an educational and news resource for the professional audio community. By using the highest quality audio and HD sound effects libraries, we, as audio professionals, seek to push the limits of the HD experience and underscore the increasingly integral role of high definition audio and sound design.

Why HD Sound FX?

HD sfx — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:35:24 +0000

There are numerous reasons why audio professionals must adopt use of HD Sound FX into their everyday workflow, the most important ones being:

• Audio must keep up with video: We, as audio professionals, need to strive to adopt the use of HD audio and sound effects libraries in professional media production. HD media is accelerating into the mainstream, and we shall not be left behind!

• Consumers are demanding true HD Entertainment: Consumers are demanding HD media and manufacturers have been providing it; so we must meet their expectations, keep up with this surge of HD adoption, and provide the highest quality sound possible.

Click here for the full article.

FAQ: Other

HD sfx — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:28:13 +0000

Q: Can’t I just convert my old sound effects libraries into HD?

A: Though we can convert our old libraries into audio files with numbers that represent high definition, this process does not truly make them hi-def: the dynamic range and frequency remain exactly the same as the CD-quality format the original libraries came in.

In fact, there is always an amount of signal degredation when performing sample rate conversions; another reason why converting our old libraries into HD is undesireable.
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FAQ: Practical Information

HD sfx — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:12:43 +0000

Q: Where are HD (and surround HD) sound effects libraries available for purchase?
A: Most publishers are starting to provide HD sound effects libraries, including Sound Ideas and Blastwave FX. (more…)

FAQ: Surround Sound HD Sound Effects

HD sfx — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:02:05 +0000

Q: What are surround sound HD sound effects?

A: Surround sound HD sound effects are audio files of sound effects recordings produced and delivered in a range of high definition, multi-channel formats, but most often at 24-bit/48kHz and 5.1 channels.

Q: What workflow benefits stem from using surround sound HD sound effects libraries?

A: In addition to meeting the hi-def standards of today’s multi-media world, surround sound HD sound effects are time and cost efficient.

Proper, custom HD surround sound effects production requires specialized equipment and experience many projects do not have the time or budget for.
Though possible to manipulate mono or stereo recordings into surround, this takes time and still may not be as effective as carefully mastered or true surround recordings.

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FAQ: HD Sound Effects

HD sfx — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:01:06 +0000

Q: What are HD sound effects?

A: HD sound effects are audio files of sound effects recordings produced and delivered above CD-quality audio standards. In other words, anything above 16-bit/44.1kHz. They can be mono, stereo, 5.1, 7.1, and 10.2 (as of date).

Q: Why do audio professionals need to adopt the use of HD sound effects into their everyday workflow?

A: There are two main reasons:

To match HD video standards: HD television has become mainstream, and with it comes consumer technology already capable of playing back HD audio. We, as audio professionals, must not fall behind the video industry by offering HD audio to consumers.
To uphold the original HD sound recording quality: Professional sound recordists regularly record in 24-bit/48kHz and above. Audio post professionals need to maintain the hi-def quality by utilizing HD sound effects into their mixes.

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FAQ: HD Audio

HD sfx — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:30:03 +0000

Q: What is HD audio?

A: High definition audio refers to sound recorded and reproduced at a quality higher than standard CD audio. HD audio can include surround sound but also includes stereo and mono.
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