Making a soundtrack

A movie or animation soundtrack consists of layers of sound that make up the whole. For example, a trailer for our movie in production Precious Cargo has voice tracks, sound effects tracks and music tracks.

Voice Track

The voice track consists of voice recordings made by actors in our recording studio or on location. Click the picture below to hear the voice track from the trailer. The voice actor in the track is Aaron Washington. The people below are: Sue Galligan, David Hathaway and Christifer Kammeyer, Maggie Matteson, Sally Eames-Harlan, Christifer Kammeyer, Cameron Milton, David Hathaway, Allix and Molli Lee-Painter, Ian Freeman-Lee and Laura Stern.

Foley and Effects Track

Next, is the Foley and sound effects work. This is the process of recording sound effects using all kinds of materials and physical techniques. We often use materials to create sounds that are completely unrelated to the sound we want. For example, cellophane can be used for fire; using a straw to blow into the microphone can create the sound of reentry. Sometimes we go on location to record the actual sounds an object makes. Click on the picture below to hear the sound effects track from our trailer. Foley artists Steve Journey and Bob Freeman recorded all the sounds except the insect noises.

Music Track

Finally, once the action is set, the music is composed, recorded and mixed in to accent and compliment the action. In the trailer, composer Mark Arnett used the music to build tension and highlight events. Click the picture below to hear the music track.

Final Mix

Once all the tracks are complete, they are mixed together and relative volume levels are set. Click on the picture below to hear the completed soundtrack for the trailer. Visit our gallery to see the completed trailer.