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Arts & Lifestyle

How To Do Sound Design For Video Games

Addison Smith

To read about sound design and how to do it, read the first three parts of my list of the best free audio plugins and graphic tools.

Note that it may take several days or even weeks for your WordPress site to start working again, after applying the plugins that you just installed. I usually install my WordPress updates within three to five minutes.

The tools you need to do sound design for video games

Black speaker close up photography

These are the tools that you can use to do sound design for video games. They are listed in alphabetical order.

OpenAL

OpenAL is an open source sound file format created in 1999 that can be used by Windows, Linux and OSX, and in the latest versions of Android and iOS.

OpenAL is a royalty-free format that supports hundreds of hardware and software combinations, and supports a wide range of game genres. It was developed by Apple Computer.

1. Audio frameworks

The tools you will use to make sound design for video games are not the only ones that can create sounds that you can use to create the right ambience.

If you’ve ever tried to create sounds for your video game, you’ll know that this can be quite complex. For example, the sounds for Battlefield 2, although free for commercial use, will set you back a pretty penny.

You will need to invest in a sound library. One such library is called The FlameMusic Sound Library (TFMSL).

It is full of free sounds, and you can choose the ones that you want to use and modify them to suit your needs.

The TFMSL is available for download at this link: http://www.memphos.com/tools/

It is available for both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows, OSX, and Linux.

2. Sound FX

If you’re creating sound effects for your game, it’s a good idea to use sound FX that are royalty free.

Here are some of the best ones I found on Google Search:

  • Reduced FX - You can download some free sound effects and do-overs here.
  • Sound FX - Free sound effects and do-overs for all your games here.
  • SoundFX - A music production tool and it’s free.
  • Soundreverb - Your own made-up music - what more can you ask for? - Here’s the version that I use for my sound effects.
  • SoundFactory - Another sound library for video games - they have a lot of free sounds, and a number of do-overs here too.
  • SoundFX - A free tool for making sound effects.

3. Audio sources

Audio headphone hearing mp3

Audio sources are the one thing that is missing when you make sound design for video games. They are the building blocks that you need to create good ambiences.

You will need some sort of audio output for a game.

In many cases, you can simply use your computer speakers. However, if your game requires professional audio editing, you may need an external device.

Here are some of the audio sources that are useful:

MP3 - These are the most common types of audio files, and the most common type of sound files that you will find on the internet.

OGG - Ogg is a free and open audio format that’s compatible with many audio players.

FLAC - A lossless audio format that’s free and open, and supports a large number of audio formats and file formats.

WAV - A lossless audio format that’s fairly common. It can be used with most digital audio players, and a number of other audio players.

AIFF - The AIFF file format is actually older than the MP3 format, and it is supported by a lot of digital audio players.

If your game uses an XBOX 360 controller, you will probably need to use a dongle to use the Kinect with your game.

4. Amp some voices up!

Macro shot audio equalizer

Voice acting is one of the best audio sources that you can find.

There are many companies that offer voice acting. However, as a general rule of thumb, I would recommend outsourcing your voice over to a professional studio.

There are a number of good choices for voice acting services.

Here are some of the best ones I found on Google Search:

The Voices Studio - A big studio that’s designed to help you get your voice over heard.

Voice123 - A searchable database of freelance voice over artists that you can use to find the perfect voice actor.

Sign on - A service that lets you connect with freelance voice actors.

Gaynor Productions - I tried this service and it’s amazing. For the price, I got a lot of work done. This site is worth visiting.

Voice by Lisa - I haven’t tried this service, but it has been on my list to try.

Masquerady - A video on the website that claims that they can make your voice more romantic.

I don’t know what that has to do with voice acting, but I can’t imagine any kind of professional voice actor that’s going to agree with that claim.

Another great way to make your voice heard is by acting.