Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with Sound

Help me drop the bass.

Frasermoo — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:23:00 -0800

Looking for a more in-depth audio controller for XP. Im running box-standard XP witha pair of Altec Lansing speakers with sub. The bass is savage with no means to adjust. Is there a more sophisticated audio controller I can download which might enable me to adjust bass output? If I am checking correctly the PC sound card is Intel 82801BA/BAM AC'97.

A sound board as an office desk toy?

GenTso — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:38:18 -0800

Have you seen the Staples big red button you can press and you get a loud "That was easy"? A co-worker has one and uses it sometimes. But what about a programmable maybe 4 X 4 or 5 X 5 button grid that you can put sound bites on and play at will? Could potentially make a great office toy, given the right type of office environment, and some tact. Hasn't anyone created something like this? I'd like to buy one. (Everything I search for, like "Sound board", bring up the popular flash-based sound boards.)

Crank it up to 11.

backseatpilot — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:10:44 -0800

I have an idea for an art project involving sound but I'm stumped on the logistics. Help? In my spare time I'm an amateur photographer. Camera goes with me just about everywhere. However, oftentimes in my travels I find myself in the situation where what I am looking at is visually uninteresting to me, but the ambient sound is just awesome. I would like to capture that sound and "display" it in a similar fashion as my photography. Example - the sounds of hiking through a forest; crunching of leaves, birds chirping. People tend to ignore the ambient noise, but when I concentrate on it, it seems quite appealing and I'd like to share that somehow.

So the questions I have are many. Is there an audience for something like this? If so, how do I package a sound recording? With photography, I can frame it and hang it on the wall, and it's just *there* until someone cares to notice it. How do I do something similar with sound? Is there a venue online analogous to Flickr where I might share this sort of thing?

As you might be able to tell, this whole plan is very nebulous. So, any recommendations you have would be appreciated.

Can gunshots be triangulated with sound analysis?

odinsdream — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:16:03 -0800

Pinpointing gunshot locations by triangulating sound waves: Would this be technically feasible? Would it be legal? Would it be technically possible, with an array of sound monitoring devices placed on utility poles, to determine the source of loud sounds, such as gunshot reports, by relying on very exact time signatures and possibly volume levels? Would this be super-expensive?

Would it be legal for a city or business to deploy such devices?

How do you make something that improves the acoustics of an auditorium?

n8stew — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:04:08 -0800

Can anyone offer me some suggestions for how to make a relatively inexpensive sound trap (i.e. like those echo reducers that large auditoriums have). Info about materials, shapes, etc. would be helpful. I'm a science teacher trying to make our school's auditorium more functional by reducing the echos which make it hard to understand most performances. I plan on writing a grant to cover most of the cost but I really need help figuring out what and how I would make these sound traps.

Does sound carry downwards?

Ms. Informed — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:04:39 -0800

Does sound carry downwards? I live on the 2nd and 3rd floors of a 2-family house. We've got neighbors downstairs, neighbors to the left (separated by a 10-foot driveway), and neighbors to the right (separated by a big ~50-foot yard). I can often hear quietish noises that my right-hand neighbors make in their yard, e.g. sweeping their deck, or their kids talking outside, pretty clearly. I can hear quietish noises from my left-hand neighbors' first-floor kitchen, e.g., dishes clinking in the sink as they get washed, or their radio while washing said dishes. If my downstairs neighbors are outside in our yard, I can hear them talking (though not clearly).

Obviously sound carries up. Does sound also carry DOWN? In other words, if I've got the TV on at moderate volume in my 2nd-floor living room and my windows are open, is it likely my neighbors can hear it clearly in our yard? If I'm talking in my 3rd-floor bedroom, or, say, having a lively debate with Mr. Informed, could people hear me if they're at ground level outside? Mr. Informed says no, but when I think about the science, it seems like sound should go down as well as up! I'm wondering if I have to start closing our windows for privacy, especially the bedroom one.

I'm talking about regular noise inside a room--not someone calling down from a window, or speakers on the windowsill. Can anyone offer an answer and an explanation of the physics?

I'm not a DJ, but I'd like to play one for a little while

um_maverick — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:40:40 -0800

I'd like to overlay audio (spoken word) from a DVD which I own over the music of a CD, which I also own, to create a new CD. Is this doable? Is it doable for someone who has no idea how to start with a task like this? A good friend of mine is getting married and as a joke for his bachelor party, I'd like to lay commentary from the 2004 World Series over a Social Distortion concert, and create a new CD to play during the party. Yes, there's a long story behind all this, which I'll spare all of you. I want it to be a "montage", where quotes from the broadcast come in, and the music gets a little quiet at those times.

I had seen some posts about Audacity, but I'm not sure if that can retrieve audio from both of my source formats. Is there an easy way to do this? Am I best off just finding a professional? I'd like to keep costs to a minimum if possible, but I'm ok putting in some sweat equity. Thanks!

What song was used in the .wav, wiglgirl.wav?

GlowWyrm — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:49:49 -0800

What song was used for the wav called wigglgirl.wav (or something similar to that)? Several years ago there was a .wav that was very popular on the internet, IRC especially, that sounded a lot like a Shaggy song. However, after listening to a lot of different Shaggy songs, I was never able to find any of his songs with the same music or lyrics. Anyone remember the .wav I'm referring to and do you know what song this was? I have been trying to figure out the name and artist of the song that was used in the .wav for over a decade now. If anyone knows, it'll probably be a mefite.

Can you hear me now, you horny bastard?

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:27:05 -0800

Good examples of heterosexual audio erotica or porn, please? Doesn't matter if it's real or faked, just as long as it's good and hot. Scorching hot. Tear the clothes off your significant other, RIGHT NOW GODDAMIT, hawt.

Audio books, podcasts, CDs, whatever, we're open to various mediums. Even if there's a particular movie that sounds hot, that'll work also, just as long as it doesn't have to be watched, merely listened to.

Help improve my sound!

aladfar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:44:19 -0800

Help improve my sound! After listening to some pristine, rich & dynamic music at a friend's studio, I've decided to improve my own setup. The catch? I don't want to spend thousands and have no interest in audiophile snake oil. Recommendations? Details on my existing gear inside. Note: I should point out that I was listening to uncompressed AIFF audio at the studio. While I've no plans to get rid of my MP3 files, I want to get the most out of my vinyl and lossless digital.

My current setup:
Mac w/iTunes
Small Mackie Mixer (A glorified switcher, sometimes used for podcasting)
Pro-Ject Phono Preamp
Pro-Ject Debut III Turntable
M-Audio Stereophile Monitors

What I heard at the studio:
Mac w/iTunes
Apogee Ensemble D/A Converter
Mackie HR824 Monitors

Is there a nice spot in the middle? Should I ditch the powered monitors and pursue an amplified solution? Recommendations would be much appreciated. I'm open to anything, but would like to keep things at or below (preferably below) $1k. Thanks!

How to setup a mixer at FOH

chitlin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:41:16 -0800

How do you setup an audio mixer when mixing from FOH (front of house)? I have dabbled in many areas of sound production for several years, mostly doing MC/DJ gigs for parties, bars, and weddings. Recently, we've "run sound" for a couple of bands. I'd like to do more of this, and I've realized that to do it right, we need to setup the mixer at the FOH (front of house) to be able to hear the levels and EQ settings for each line, and do all the mixing. I'm sure you've seen setups like this at concerts and such.

My question is, how do you set this up with cables? For example, a typical band that we run sound for will have rhythm guitar, lead vocal, lead guitar, backup vocal, bass guitar, three drum mics, and maybe a keyboard. Do you have to run all the instrument cables to the FOH position? This would mean a 100 ft. XLR cables for each line. In the case of this band, that would be nine XLR cables to run to the mixer, and then a pair of Main Outs back to the amplifiers.

Is this how it's done or is there an easier way?

Will my old speakers work with a new receiver?

paulus andronicus — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:29:41 -0800

I'm interested in buying a stereo receiver, but I want to make sure it will work with the 17 year old speakers I have. I've been given a pair of unpowered speakers. I've been led to believe that at one point they were relatively nice (I believe that in 1991 they were about $2200 total). But, I'm far from an audiophile, so I'd like some advice.

As far as I can tell, the speakers are from a company called Soundwave and the specific model is "Silhouette". I've been unable to find any information about the company or speakers, but my google-fu may be weak. Luckily, the previous owner saved a copy of the spec sheet, an image of which you can find here. You can find a picture of the speakers here.

Are these any good? Are they going to work with any receiver that I can buy these days? I'm reading about features like "50 watts x 2 (stereo) into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD", but the spec sheet says the speakers are 4 ohms nominal (whatever that means) and that they're rated for 30-200 watts. Does that mean I should be looking for receivers with higher a wattage? What about the ohm difference?

I'm looking for something in the $100-$200 price range, I think, and right now I'm considering the Onkyo TX-8222. Is that reasonable, or am I way off base here?

Anything else I should be aware of

Why do flip flops go flip flop?

IndigoJones — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:55:34 -0800

Why do flip flops go flip flop? As opposed to flip flip or even flop flop? I can only think that the sandal acts as a sound board and there's enough difference in every pair (to say nothing of the effect of each unique foot wedded to each sandal) that they make distinct sounds. But I have to wonder, by the law of averages would not some pairs have to be the same, thus sound the same? If one put a pair of flip flops into lab conditions and gave them fake feet with identical surface contact to each sandal and put them through their paces, would they sound the same then? Anyone ever try it? I'm guessing it would be a good high school science project for a really clever science child.

Extra points for the clip clop of horses, and even regular shoes.

Audio Technician Gear?

AltReality — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:32:25 -0800

What is included in a typical sound technician's kit when recording scenes for TV or Movies? I am looking into all the potential uses of a degree in sound engineering, and was looking at the idea of TV and Movies...I notice the sound guys who hold the boom mic's have the lines run into a belt-pack kind of thing..I'm guessing a mixer and power supply, and then I guess they lead out to the camera?

So my question:
What is included in a typical sound technician's kit when recording scenes for TV or Movies?

Thanks,
AltReality

How do I learn to sneeze softly?

riffola — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:12:56 -0800

How do I learn to sneeze softly?

I have no idea what I just saw

0xFCAF — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:29:31 -0800

What was this guy on the street doing with a black iron pot on a spit that produced a gunshot-like sound? I was walking around Shanghai and I saw a man turning an urn-shaped black iron(?) object on a spit, with a small fire burning underneath / around it. It was all set up on a fairly busy sidewalk. He then pulled out what looked like a mesh laundry bag, and a small child nearby put his hands over his ears and started running like he knew what was about to happen next. I didn't actually see what followed (I kept walking), but a few seconds later it all made a sound about as loud as a gunshot.

So, uh, what the heck was this guy doing?

Lado A / Lado B

kowalski — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:42:48 -0800

Where can I find recordings of a voice saying "Side A" and "Side B" in Spanish, to reuse on a tape I'm making? I'll be satisfied to pull them out of larger audio if I need to, but my usually extensive capacity at google is failing me here. A tip of my hat to anyone with a suggestion!

Hush Puppy

owtytrof — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:17:54 -0800

Why doesn't my puppy make a sound? We just got a new puppy (about a year old) and he seems to not be able to bark. When he whines it sounds like a whisper. When he's playing with his toys and "play growls" you can barely hear him. I know he was checked out by the shelter and updated on his shots and they said he was healthy. He seems fine other than not being about to really bark.

I know you're not a vet and that you're not my vet but I'm just looking to see if anyone has had any similar situations.

Can my 360 use my laptop speakers?

MostHolyPorcine — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:57:24 -0800

How do I get my Xbox 360 to use my laptop speakers? I just bought a 360 and a VGA adapter cable. I have an external LCD monitor that I've hooked the xbox up to with no problem. But now I am trying to figure out how the heck I am supposed to get sound. I tried plugging the red and white cords with the small adapter into my microphone port and selected line in but to no luck. Is there something I am doing wrong or is this just not even possible?

How to get the Adobe Audition cursor to stay still?

Flying Squirrel — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:52:27 -0800

How can I make the cursor stay in the right place to mark something in Adobe Audition? I have been searching for this answer on the internet for a while, and within Adobe Audition manuals, but so far no luck.

When playing a wave in Audition, I usually use the space bar to stop/start. I want to be able to press stop and make the cursor stay exactly at that moment in time. This never happens though -- the cursor always returns to the beginning of the file.

Has anyone else had this problem? In order to drop markers, do splits, and other editing the file has to be STOPPED rather than PAUSED. However, I find the only way to get the cursor to stay in the same place is to pause it. Whenever I press stop it seems to send the cursor back to the beginning of the file.

If anyone knows what I'm talking about or knows a solution I would greatly appreciate it!

What IM client makes this sound?

Nelson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:24:22 -0800

What IM client makes this sound? I'm trying to identify a glitch that's in the leak of Portishead's album Third. On track 5, about 2:14 into the track you hear a strange sound. It sounds a lot like an IM client's new message alert, but I'm not positive. I don't think it belongs in the music, it's way out of context. You can hear the whole track here.

(I'm asking for my blog, which I'm politely not self-linking here.)

Rain Whitenoise

chrisalbon — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:47:45 -0800

Free Ambient Rain/Storm Recordings To Use As Working Whitenoise? I work significantly better/faster without distractions. Ambient sounds are great, particularly the sound of storms and rain.

Anyone know where I can download long tracks of rain and/or storm recordings for free?

Some Other Things:

1. I am looking for lengthy tracks, not 1-2 minute "clips".
2. Has to be actual recording, not digital imitations. I am not being snotty, for some reason "fake rain" sounds don't do the trick.
3. Cannot have music interlaced with the rain the sounds. I am looking for whitenoise, not Enya.
4. If anyone know other sounds that work well as whitenoise, I would love to hear them.

What did I do to my computer to make it squeal?

katyjack — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:51:19 -0800

What did I do to my computer to make it squeal? I unplugged and unhooked up my computer to clean the carpets in my office. Now all my soundcard does is squeal at me in a high-pitched tone although it looks like it's connected correctly. Can anyone give me any trouble-shooting suggestions for figuring out how to fix this?

Film work in the US of A

mooza — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:46:31 -0800

Working in the US film industry as a foreigner. Please explain... Can the Hive Mind break down how the post production side of the film industry works in the States? The SO and I are looking into the possibility of working there (we're Australian). We are a film editor and sound editor, with credits in series TV (so no ads or corporates), although you know, they're mostly Australian credits. Aside from the frightening visa issues, which I'll save for another question, we just want an idea of how things run in general.

Are most things done on a freelance/contract basis? What sort of permanent work is out there (I figured it was like working for a big company like, say, MTV and being farmed out on their in-house productions)? Permanent work makes getting an E-3 visa viable for us. Do most people have agents? How necessary and how hard is it to get into the unions? I know LA is the place to be, but is NY doable? Have I broken MeFi rules by asking so many questions? Sorry, a little overwhelmed here.

We'll probably end up in London. But we can dream, can't we?!

Sound card recommendations?

trokair — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:32:57 -0800

[SoundCardFilter] What are your recommendations for a PCI-based gaming sound card on Windows Vista? I'm using Vista Ultimate 32-bit right now, and the popping, crackling sound and low-volume mic inputs on my Shuttle SD39P2 (Realtek ALC888 built-in sound) are starting to get to me. What are your recommendations for a high-end PCI sound card? I do a lot of gaming and listening to music!

I'd especially like to hear if anyone's had some good experiences with non-Creative products (I've heard not-so-good things about their Vista drivers). Thanks folks!