This week we have something quite interesting. I was asked to make a sound effect for some objects in the game, the objects being reflectors. You know, the reflective shapes you wear when it's dark and you want to be seen by cars?
In Through the Woods your son is missing. He collects these reflectors and, as you search for him on the island where you spend most of the game, you come across a series of them in the woods and must assume your son has left them as a trail for you to follow.
So, when you're there in the dark and your torch passes over one of these reflectors, there is a flash of light (the reflection) and... a sound. Of course, this would not really make a sound, but there needs to be something to tell you this is interesting and important and that you should check it out.
I already made sounds for this event a few months ago, but now we are looking for something slightly different. The original sound was a beautiful glass armonica which made a lovely, flash/reflection noise, but a few days ago I discovered something much better; giant wine glasses.
So I have been experimenting with dipping my finger in a water glass and circling it around the edge. Of course, this produces a wonderful, high pitched hum, but if you vary the speed at which you circle the lip of the glass, you introduce all kinds of incredible, organic creaks, shrieks and strangeness, which I think is perfect for our game.
I'm planning on pitch shifting these sounds around and such to create effects for all kinds of other things and maybe even creatures in the game. I'm looking forwards to experimenting with different sizes of glass, different amounts of water within the glass, etc.
I basically stuck a Neumann U87 and an Audio Technica AT4040 right in front of the glass as a stereo pair for the recordings.
Ok, that's it from me. As always, any questions can be mailed to dan@antagonist.no or you can leave a comment below.
Check back here often for more audio news. Until then, have a great week!
Dan
