Sound
A relatively new area of technical theatre, the art of sound design wasn't recognised in the UK Olivier Awards until 2004.
Other languages: geluiden (Dutch)
NEW: Podcast episode with Simon Wood, sound technician at the London Palladium and other London venues between 1969 and 1984.
Relevant pages on Theatrecrafts.com
- Audio Effects and Outboard Equipment
- Audio Networking
- Binaural Sound
- Connections and Networking
- Digital Audio File Formats
- Headphone Theatre
- Microphone History and Evolution
- Microphones & Techniques
- MIDI Control of Sound and Light
- Mixing Desks
- Phone Calls on Stage
- Quadrophonic / Surround Sound
- Radio Drama
- Sound and Media Playback Software
- Sound Design - The Process
- Sound Design Paperwork
- Sound Designer
- Sound Effects for the Stage
- Sound Effects Workflow
- Sound Engineer
- What is Sound Design?
History & Developments
- Microphones (including Radio Microphones)
LSI: Heritage Pathways: The PA System (February 2024)
[External Website]
From Lighting & Sound International
Sound Designers and Engineers
Documents
Video
Aeliophone / Wind Machine
Video: Click on thumbnail
Foley Artist John Roesch, Skywalker Sound
Video: Click on thumbnail
Making War Horse: Sound Design
Video: Click on thumbnail
PLASA: Evolution of Sound Design with Martin Levan and Gareth Owen
Video: Click on thumbnail
Sound and Video Supervisor - Careers at the National Theatre
Video: Click on thumbnail
Sound Design for Musicals
Video: Click on thumbnail
Sound Engineering on the soundtrack for Les Miserables on screen
Video: Click on thumbnail
Theatrical Microphone Concealment Techniques
Video: Click on thumbnail
Thunder Run at the Bristol Old Vic
Video: Click on thumbnail
Amazon Shop
2020
Productivity Through Wellness for Live Entertainment and Theatre Technicians
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Productivity Through Wellness for Live Entertainment and Theatre Technicians
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
External Links
Access Equipment
- Aluminium Access Products Tallescope manufacturers [UK]
- Genie Lifts and Access Equipment [Worldwide]
- Slingsby Access ladders [UK]
- Zarges Access ladders & towers [Germany & UK]
Designers
- Adrienne Quartly Sound Design for Performance [UK]
- Alma Kelliher Sound Design [UK]
- Gareth Fry Sound Design for Theatre [London UK]
- Gareth Owen Sound Designer [Worldwide]
- John Leonard Theatre Sound and Show Control [UK]
- Mic Pool Sound and Video Design for Theatre
- Paul Arditti Sound Design [UK]
- Simon Baker Sound Design [UK]
- Steven Brown Sound Design
Discussion Forums
- in 1: the podcast The Lives of Theatrical Designers
- Podcast: Production Meetings Essential listening
- Podcast: Theatrewolf History and Innovation in a wide range of technical theatre areas
- The Blue Room Technical Discussion Forum [UK]
Equipment
- 101 Uses for Gaffa Tape (Photo gallery)
- 101 Uses for Gaffer Tape (List)
- Ironclad Performance Work Gloves [Los Angeles, CA, USA]
- Pockit Utility holsters & accessories for your tools [USA]
- Setwear Gloves, belts, bags [CA, USA] Flightcases / Touring >> 3D Flight Cases Professional UK flight case manufacturers [UK] Flightcases / Touring >> BCS Manufacturing Flightcases Flightcases / Touring >> Packhorse Flightcases [Peterborough, UK]
Health & Safety
- RU Safe? information and guidance about safety in small venues [UK]
- Theatre Safety Blog
Installation
- Cable Organizer Cable Raceways [USA]
- Kirei ECHOPanel sustainable acoustic panel [USA]
- MTX Engineering Metalwork and Accessories [UK]
Jobs
- Gallowglass Event Crews in UK & Mainland Europe [UK & Europe]
- Parents & Carers In Performing Arts [UK]
- SoundGirls.org Empowering the next generation of women in audio
- Mandy.com (formerly StageJobsPro) Theatre and Stage Jobs for UK Professionals [UK]
Manufacturers
- Allen & Heath Mixing Desks [UK]
- AMS Neve Mixing desks and outboard equipment [USA]
- Bartlett Audio Microphones [USA]
- Behringer Mixing desks and outboard equipment [Germany, Europe]
- Cadac Mixing Desks [UK]
- Clear-Com Headsets [USA]
- Countryman Microphones & Accessories [CA, USA]
- DiGiCo Digital mixers [USA]
- Eartec Wireless Headsets [USA]
- Luminex (IT Networks for AV) [Belgium]
- Mackie Mixing Desks, Outboard equipment, speakers [USA]
- MC2 Audio Amplifiers and installation [Honiton, Devon, UK]
- Midas Consoles Mixers
- Sennheiser Microphones [Germany]
- Soundcraft Mixing Desks [UK]
- Telex Wireless & wired intercoms [Australia]
- Williams Sound Wireless communication technology [USA]
- Yamaha Pro Audio Mixers, Speakers, Outboard Equipment
Music
- BenSound Royalty Free Music
- Free Music Archive Royalty Free Music
- London Arrangements Backing tracks and arrangements
- mobygratis Free music from Moby
- Pixabay Royalty Free Music
- StoryBlocks Stock Music & Sound Effects
Publications
Resources
- A Sound Effect Independent Sound Effects Collections
- Allan Chapman & James Insurance Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK]
- Bartlett Audio - Learn More About Audio Helpful Guides
- BBC Sound Effects Collection
- Binaural Audio - Virtual Barber Shop listen with headphones
- Crew Cover Insurance Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK]
- Designing Sound Art and technique of sound design
- Essential Kit for a Sound Engineer
- Freesound Sound Library
- Guide to Sound Effects How to create realistic foley sounds
- How to be a theatrical sound engineer The Guardian, August 2012
- La Playa UK Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK / USA]
- Load-In International Live Touring Industry magazine [UK]
- Media College Audio Tutorials & Reference
- Multipoint Suspension - not as easy as it seems Essential reading!
- Soundcraft Guide To Mixing Essential and free to download
- SoundDogs Downloadable Sound Effects
- Soundsnap Sound Effects Online
- Soundworks Collection Sound for Film
- Step By Step Guide to Sound Design by Mic Pool [UK]
- Theatre Digs Booker Touring Accommodation Finder [UK]
- Theatre's Revolution in Sound Design The Guardian, October 2008
- Walk - Listen - Create Sound Walks Resources and Events
- Whispers to thunderstorms: the world of sound designer Max Pappenheim Guardian, April 2021
- Wrightsure Insurance Public Liability Insurance [UK]
Research
- Foley Article at theStudioTour.com
- Greek Theatre Acoustics from The Guardian
- Infrasound linked to spooky effects NBC
- StageWork Resources about the backstage work of the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Birmingham Rep [UK]
Software
- Ableton Music & Soundscape production
- Ardour Open Source Digital Audio Workstation
- Audio Toolset 2 Vectorworks Plug-in
- BandLab Free app/browser-based sound editing and multi-track composition
- Baxel Data - Cue Player Software for Windows
- Bitwig Studio Digital Audio Workstation
- ClipChamp Free Online Video Editor
- CSC Show Control from CTR Electronics [UK]
- Drafty App for lighting, sound & video designers [USA]
- KM Player Audio & Video media player for Windows
- Mic Pool's QLab Cook Book Hints and Tips for Serious Users [UK]
- Mitti Video Cue Playback
- Multiplay Sound Playback
- Procedural Audio Resources
- Q-Widget USB Remote for Qlab [USA]
- Radial Theater Project: Audio Cues Cue Playback for Android / Chromebook
- Reaper Digital Audio Workstation [NY, USA]
- Sound Byte Computerised cart rack for radio stations & entertainment
- StageCaller Make your cellphone ring via wifi
- Traktor Digital DJing
- Vivien - Cast Lighting Event Design & Planning Software
- X-Keys Computer Input Devices Buttons to control Qlab etc. [USA] Projection Mapping >> HeavyM Easy Projection Mapping software [France] Projection Mapping >> MadMapper Video & Light Mapping Software Show Control >> Qlab Event-driven media playback for Mac Show Control >> Trigger Audio & Video playback [UK] Free Software for Sound Editing >> Audacity Free Audio Editor for Windows & Mac
Suppliers
- AED Group
- Audio Gold Vintage Hi-Fi and Audio [London, UK]
- Audio Light Systems [Edinburgh, Scotland, UK]
- AudioLinks Services [USA]
- Autograph Sound [London, UK]
- Canford Audio Radio Mic Pouches [UK]
- Flints Theatrical Chandlers Tools and Supplies [London, UK]
- Full Compass Supplier [UK ]
- Gear Source Europe Secondhand / Used Equipment [Kent, UK]
- Orbital Sound [London, UK / New York, USA]
- Planet DJ Lighting, Sound & DJ Equipment [NV, USA]
- Pro Sound & Stage Lighting Sales [CA, USA]
- SLX Lighting, Sound, Scenic Hire and Events [UK]
- Thomann [Germany, Europe]
- Warwick Corporate Events [Devon, UK]
Unions / Associations
- AAPTLE Alliance of Associations & Professionals in Theatre and Live Events [UK]
- ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) Training, Advice, Membership [London, UK]
- Actors Equity [American actors and stage managers] [USA]
- ALIA Australasian Lighting Industry Association [Australasia]
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers [USA]
- Association of Sound Designers [UK]
- BECTU Broadcasting, Entertainment & Cinematograph Trade Union (UK) [London, UK]
- LPA Live Performance Australia
- MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA)
- NCDT (National Council for Drama Training) [London, UK]
- PLASA UK Professional Lighting & Sound Association [UK]
- Skillset [London, UK]
- USITT United States Institute for Theatre Technology [USA]