Helpful Links

Helpful audio links for beginning sound designers to build a sound library, buy high-quality equipment, find jobs, and learn more about the industry.

 

Recommended Free Sound Libraries

• https://sonniss.com/gameaudiogdc
• https://www.andrewvscott.com/Building-A-Large-SFX-Library-for-Free
• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UEY8T8ClI2XHDnALzWf_x4MZGKoHPNYHlf2CqStSGWQ/edit#gid=419359356

• http://99sounds.org/

• https://www.zapsplat.com/
• https://sonniss.com/sound-effects/free-download-game-audio/

• http://www.sonniss.com/sound-effects/...

• http://www.asoundeffect.com/1000-free...

• http://freetousesounds.com/

• http://www.gameaudioimplementation.co...

• https://www.redlibraries.com/#panel29...

• http://www.thesoundkeeper.com/shop/

• https://www.asoundeffect.com/ambisonic-sound-effects-giveaway/
• https://www.shapingwaves.com/downloads/free-sampler/

• https://www.reddit.com/r/SFXLibraries/

• http://soundbible.com/
• http://www.xeno-canto.org/
• https://www.macaulaylibrary.org/
• http://trekcore.com/audio/
• http://www.workwithsounds.eu/
• https://therecordist.com/free-crazy-sounds/
• https://www.world-sounds.org/
• https://lo-fields.blogspot.com.es/
• https://blipsounds.com/community-library/
• https://www.adobe.com/products/audition/offers/AdobeAuditionDLCSFX.html
• https://www.boomlibrary.com/blog/category/free/

Recommended Professional Sound Libraries

• http://www.hollywoodedge.com/

• http://hissandaroar.com/

• http://www.sonniss.com/sound-effects/

• http://www.soundstorm.com/

• http://www.sounddogs.com/

• https://www.redlibraries.com/

• http://www.prosoundeffects.com/

• https://pole.se/shop/
• https://www.shapingwaves.com/
• https://quietplanet.com
• https://thomasrexbeverly.com/
• https://www.sound-ideas.com/

 

UCS - Universal Category System

The Sound Design community has created a system to try to standardize sound effect naming conventions.

• https://universalcategorysystem.com/ 
• Latest list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b2UhKpcOAE-jd1edOsxCJALqttyL761h/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112999643290119414128&rtpof=true&sd=true

Free Sound Effect Search Programs

• SoundQ - https://www.prosoundeffects.com/soundq/
• ADSR Sample Manager - https://www.adsrsounds.com/product/software/adsr-sample-manager/
• Resonic - https://resonic.at/home
• Audio Finder (OSX) - http://www.icedaudio.com/site/
• SampleSort - https://www.jamsoft.co.uk/samplesort/

• MetaDigger - https://www.sound-ideas.com/Page/meta...

• Mutant - http://sonicwire.com/mutant?lang=en

• SearchEverything - https://www.voidtools.com/

• Snapper (OSX) - https://www.audioease.com/snapper/
• Everything - https://www.voidtools.com/

 

http://www.creativefieldrecording.com/2017/08/16/metadata-app-roundup-updated/

 

Pro (Paid) Sound Effect Search Programs

• SoundMiner - http://store.soundminer.com/

• BaseHead - http://www.baseheadinc.com/

• Soundly - http://www.getsoundly.com/

• Cosmos - https://www.waves.com/plugins/cosmos-sample-finder#introducing-cosmos-sample-finder
• Synonym - https://www.sononym.net/

 

Figuring out project/hourly rates:

• https://www.gamesoundcon.com/game-audio-survey-2017
• https://www.editorsguild.com/Wages-and-Contracts
• http://blog.creativelive.com/how-to-calculate-freelance-hourly-rate-infographic/

 

Cool Free Plugins

• http://sonic.supermaailma.net/plugins
• http://www.tokyodawn.net/proximity/
• http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2015/6/5/pt-prefs-helper-updated-again-now-v1610

 

Royalty-Free Music

• http://betterwithmusic.com/
• https://incompetech.com/
• http://freemusicarchive.org/
• https://www.hooksounds.com/
• http://audionautix.com/
• https://www.bensound.com

 

Ear Training Games

• https://theproaudiofiles.com/quiztones/
• http://plasticity.szynalski.com/
• http://www.szynalski.com/tone-generator/
• https://www.mediacollege.com/media-guru/audio/frequency-trainer.html
• https://www.soundgym.co/

 

Recommended Inexpensive Headphones 

• AKG K240 - https://www.amazon.com/AKG-K240STUDIO-Semi-Open-Professional-Headphones/dp/B0001ARCFA
• Sony MDR 7506 - https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E/
• Sony MDR 7510 - https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-7510-Professional-Studio-Headphones/dp/B00EMAJ17C/
• Sennheiser HD280 Pro - https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD280PRO-Headphone-new-model/dp/B00IT0IHOY

Recommended Expensive Headphones 

• Massdrop HD6XX - https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx
• Sennheiser HD 650 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HD650--sennheiser-hd-650-open-back-audiophile-and-reference-headphones
• Beyerdynamic DT 1990 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DT1990Pro--beyerdynamic-dt-1990-pro-open-back-studio-reference-headphones

 

Recommended Inexpensive Audio Interface

• Audient iD4 - https://www.amazon.com/Audient-2-out-Performance-Audio-Interface/dp/B0107YJU8Q
• Audient iD14 - https://www.amazon.com/Audient-iD14-Performance-Audio-Interface/dp/B00UALWPCA
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B07QR73T66

 

Recommended Inexpensive Vocal Microphones

• Audio-Technica AT4033
• Shure SM7B
• Sontronics STC-2 
• Lauten Audio LA-220
• sE Electronics sE2200
• Warm Audio WA-87

Recommended Expensive Vocal Microphones

• Slate Digital VMS ML-1 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VMSML1--slate-digital-vms-ml-1-large-diaphragm-modeling-microphone-matte-black 
• Neumann TLM 103 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TLM103--neumann-tlm-103-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone-nickel
• Neumann U87 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/U87SetZ--neumann-u-87-ai-set-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone-nickel
• Warm Audio WA-8000 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/WA8000--warm-audio-wa-8000-large-diaphragm-tube-condenser-microphone
• Sony C800 - https://www.sweetwater.com//store/detail/C800G--sony-c-800g-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone

 

Recommended Expensive Pro Studio Monitor Speakers

You have to get minimum of 6 inch speakers so it can reproduce all frequencies.

• JBL 708 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR708P--jbl-708p-7-series-8-inch-powered-studio-monitor 
• Meyer Sound Amie - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Amie-meyer-sound-amie-6.5-inch-powered-studio-monitor
• Genelec S360 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/S360--genelec-s360-sam-10-inch-2-way-powered-studio-monitor
• Adam A77H - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/A77H--adam-audio-a77h-7-inch-powered-studio-monitor

 

Switcher Box

• SPL Switcher Box 2489 or something similar

 

Microphone Shootouts

• https://www.audiotestkitchen.com/
• http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/right_mic_brockett.html
• https://tomantosfilms.com/11722/shotgun-mics2016/
• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19d-Mb1jJxWdtQUwTXhVjUGpZEG1ilzInindPHLYiSCk/edit?usp=sharing

 

Some good audio job aggregators / search engines:

• https://gamejobs.co/search?q=audio&w=

• http://soundlister.com/category/audio-jobs/

• https://gamejobhunter.com/
• https://devbrada.com/jobs/

• http://www.game-audio.info/jobs/

• http://jobs.gamesindustry.biz/by-category/sound---music

• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Sm8Idhs7kYA7mXGGHMEHM-HGEQJ_mZe7ii_9YAkgGII/edit?usp=sharing

• http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobtype/audio/country/+

• https://twitter.com/SchoolGameAudio

• https://www.upwork.com/
• http://www.ani-jobs.com/
• https://doc.clickup.com/24539925/d/h/qcwrn-182/b279f790a068966
• https://www.musiccareers.co/jobs 

 

Other Helpful Sound Lists 

• https://www.reddit.com/r/GameAudio/comments/xagj2w/gameaudio_september_2022_game_sound_blog_and/
• https://www.asoundeffect.com/gameaudio/
• https://www.asoundeffect.com/sounddesign/
• https://www.asoundeffect.com/filmsound/ 

  

Orchestral Audio Libraries

• Performance Samples Vista Strings
• Spitfire BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover (free)
• 8Dio - Adagio Violins 2.0
• Arturia Augmented STRINGS Intro
• Impact Soundworks - Tokyo Scoring Strings
• Metropolis Ark, Orch Tools
• Berlin Woodwinds
• Berlin Percussions
• ProjectSAM Swing More!
• ProjectSAM Symphobia 1
• Atelier Series - Sasaki Trumpet
• RealiTone Screaming Trumpet
• Broadway LITEs by Fable Sounds
• Drums - Strikeforce Cinematic Percussion
• Drums - Stormdrum 2 and 3
• Cinesamples - Cineperc
• Vienna Symphonic Library - HARP GLISSANDOS
• Vienna Symphonic Library - Flutes
• Vienna Symphonic Library - Woodwinds

 

Useful Plugins

• Sound Toys 5
• Oeksound Soothe 2
• Tape Piano plugin
• XLN Audio’s XO
• Wavesfactory Trackspacer
• Youlean Loudness Meter (free)
• Master Fader plugins - 1. FabFilter EQ, 2. Softube saturation, 3. Slate FG-X mastering plug, 4. Waves WLM+ LUFS meter
• Master Fader plugins - Ozone 5, Softube Console 1 (the SSL channel strip), Oxford Inflator, Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, UAD SSL G Bus Compressor, Manley Massive Passive, Elosis AirEQ. Don't use all of the plugins all of the time.
• Inspirata Reverb

 

Podcasts

• https://www.20k.org/archive
• http://brightblack.co/playmakers
• https://indiegameaudio.podbean.com/
• http://www.gameaudiopodcast.com/
• https://www.workingclassaudio.com/

 

Sound Design Advice Columns

• Mark Kilborn's 2024 Advice - https://docs.google.com/document/d/18qppYJaVZ1p-yc2dCZ2q7qYhNWh9F2jhLdgeDwzkqUA/edit?usp=sharing 
• Game Audio Bible - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sAd8xOdngsdLJqKfcOnyL8xRhPi3Uitys6fEXU9O2X0/edit?usp=sharing
• Game Audio FAQ - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bE_xuSedxHWBpF9cE7C8hGNWdXjOFdiWXtFGYbqP_30/edit?usp=sharing
• Game Audio Learning Links - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fcuhGEesLC_PWCwY3dIwLgF774sKswOwIcZECWiH7Xo/edit?usp=sharing
• https://www.rare.co.uk/news/rare-life-sound-designer

 

Recommended Acoustic Treatments 

• Music City Acoustics - https://www.musiccityacoustics.com/ 
• GIK Acoustics - https://www.gikacoustics.com/
• ATS Acoustics - https://www.atsacoustics.com/panels

 

Good Demo Reels:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL17-p74MQ_0T1SfrMWhjHVYCishxUEz_U
• https://vimeo.com/259100810

 

Procedural Music Info:

• https://teropa.info/loop/

 

Sound Conferences

• www.mixsoundforfilm.com/
• https://www.gamesoundcon.com/
• www.gdconf.com/
• https://show.ibc.org/

 

Sound Societies

• https://www.mpse.org/
• https://cinemaaudiosociety.org/
• https://aes2.org/
• https://pocinaudio.com/
• https://guildford.games/gford-game-audio

Good Post Programs

• https://www.digitalrebellion.com/cutnotes/

• http://www.soundsinsync.com/products/edicue

 

VR/AR Info

• https://facebookincubator.github.io/facebook-360-spatial-workstation/Documentation/SpatialWorkstation/SpatialWorkstation.html

 

List of USA Game Companies

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H34_z043mJrLahXw7fCgwf5w4ZWyrB2GBE9XAXufjmQ/preview
• https://www.gamedevmap.com/

 

Good Recruiter Companies

• creativepersonnel.co.uk
• https://datascope.co.uk/
• amiqus.com
• https://www.conkerberry.com.au/
• https://vitamintalent.com
• http://www.yoh.com/get-hired
• http://careertipster.com/careerdev/how-to-break-into-the-game-industry-advice-from-an-expert-recruiter/

 

Job Applying Tips

• EA Recruiters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4xBIz7AwdA
• https://gameaudiopost.blogspot.com/2022/04/getting-into-game-audio.html
• https://recruiterhunt.com/ 

 

And check out these websites

• http://www.gamasutra.com/category/audio/

• https://gaminginsiders.com/subscribe/

• https://www.gamedevmap.com/

• http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/MarkKilborn/20130618/194567/Some_Advice_for_the_Aspiring_Sound_Designer.php

• https://www.boomboxpost.com/blog

• https://www.reddit.com/r/AudioPost/

• https://blog.frame.io/
• https://www.gamesoundcon.com/single-post/2016/08/17/Game-Audio-Industry-Survey-2016
• https://www.gamesoundcon.com/single-post/2017/10/02/GameSoundCon-Game-Audio-Industry-Survey-2017
• http://www.mixonline.com
• http://soundworkscollection.com/videos/the-sound-of-monsters-university
• https://www.boomboxpost.com/blog/2018/3/12/a-killer-file-organization-system-that-saves-you-time-money-and-your-sanity
• https://musicophobia.com/

 

Good Media Newsletters

• https://sonicscoop.com/
• http://theaudiospotlight.com/
• http://gaminginsiders.com/
• http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/
• http://www.audiomediainternational.com
• http://www.etcentric.org/
• https://www.alphagamma.eu/

Good Audio Talks

• Game Audio: https://youtu.be/Adp-k52ocEY

• Foley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqWwd7mWtCw

• Immersive VR audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQHkmysYnes

• Walter Murch Sound Design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ICn5-jG6w4
• Audio Freelance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqBLPIcpZZU

• http://www.gdcvault.com/

• https://www.fauxfictionaudio.com
• http://www.silverbrin.com/aaablog/2016/12/30/shifting-perspective
• https://frost.ics.uci.edu/ics62/BasicsofSoundDesignforVideoGames-MichaelCullen.pdf

 

Audio Workflows

• https://www.asoundeffect.com/defining-your-creative-goals-with-audio-storyboards/
• https://www.asoundeffect.com/f1-22-game-audio/
• https://www.asoundeffect.com/reaper-for-game-audio-project-scopes-subprojects/
• https://splice.com/blog/audio-soundscape-for-video-games/
• https://splice.com/blog/dynamic-game-audio-mix/
• https://wesoundeffects.com/the-art-of-field-recording-how-to-prepare-a-recording-session/
• https://blog.audiokinetic.com/the-sound-of-the-outer-worlds-part-1/
• https://www.eidosmontreal.com/news/implementing-spatial-music-in-video-games-with-rob-bridgett/ 
• Riot Games - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU1gXVfv3zU&list=PL42m9XiTqPHKW90-FbYEgmPx-irXKOeBf&index=1
• https://sonicminds.dk/the-bridge-between-game-audio-and-audio-branding-part-1/
• https://www.asoundeffect.com/disney-theme-park-sound/

 

Good Audio Groups

• www.audiogang.org/

• www.womensaudiomission.org/

• www.womeningames.com/

• https://twitter.com/wigj

• www.womeningamesinternational.org/

• http://www.soundgirls.org/

• http://designingsound.org/2017/02/worldwide-game-audio-groups/

• http://www.aes.org/
• http://cinemaaudiosociety.org/
• https://www.asoundeffect.com/game-audio-community-groups/

 

Good Audio Blogs

• http://designingsound.org/
• http://www.proaudiogirl.com/articles/
• http://www.designingmusicnow.com/
• https://www.behindtheglass.uk/

 

Studio Construction Info

• https://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/index.php

 

Audio Equipment Advice

• http://soundadviceheadphones.com/

 

Finished Pro Tools Session Screenshots

• Atmos Session

 

Audiobook Info

• http://www.acx.com/help/acx-audio-submission-requirements/201456300

 

Pure Data and Python

• http://pd-tutorial.com/english/index.html
• https://tyoma.io/python-for-game-audio-use-cases/

 

Good Videos about Audio Creation

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnZ9E5zEkQk

 

Other Cool Stuff

• https://a16z.com/advice-and-how-to/
• https://unsplash.com/
• http://www.rodetest.com
• flaticon.com
• http://www.infinitemachine.com/homepage/archives/3690
• https://www.20k.org/episodes/the-bleeps-the-sweeps-and-the-creeps
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcsv8meqNYM
• http://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderRename/

 

Sound Designers Portfolios

• http://www.soundslikejackie.com/
• https://sierasinclair.myportfolio.com/
• https://youtu.be/qTHbxLnt6w4
• http://mirelladiez.com/

 

Sound Designer Sample Resumes

• https://slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/key/d4DkwYX53J6AHj

 

Fun Stuff

• https://vimeo.com/245690695

 

Audio Book

• https://toddwinkler.art/composing-interactive-music
• https://www.routledge.com/Finding-Your-Career-in-the-Modern-Audio-Industry/Tucker/p/book/9780367505554

 

Financial Advice

• http://www.suzeorman.com/
• https://www.jillonmoney.com/