Sound and Music for the Theatre : The Art and Technique of Design

For every phase of theatrical production, Sound and Music for the Theatre traces the entire process of sound design from initial concept through closing night. The book discusses the early evolution of a sound design that supports the play, from researching sources for music and effects to negotiating a contract. It shows how to organize the construction of the sound design elements, how the designer functions in a rehearsal, and how to set up and train an operator to run sound equipment for a theatrical production. This instructive information is interspersed with "war stories” describing real-life problems with solutions that sound designers and composers can apply in their own work.The new third edition still retains its focus on aesthetics, techniques, and process. However, it goes beyond to offer a brand new forum on sound reinforcement, unique information on computer-assisted playback systems, and a comprehensive perspective on using technology to build and execute shows. Features:*A fresh look at the technology used to build and execute shows*How to maximize the Internet as a major, important, every day resource for today's sound designers and composers*A new roundtable forum discussion with sound reinforcement designers that uncovers insights from the top professionals in this field*Everyday paperwork, new examples for sound plots and cue sheets to increase the variety of examples you can use or build upon Front Cover 1 Sound and Music for the Theatre 4 Copyright Page 5 Contents 8 Foreword 9 Preface to the First Edition 11 Preface to the Second Edition 13 Preface to the Third Edition 14 Introduction to the First and Second Edition 16 Introduction to the Third Edition 18 Acknowledgments 20 The Art of Looking with the Ear 22 Chapter 1. The Evolution of Sound Design 24 THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUND DESIGN 27 REFERENCES 34 Chapter 2. The Foundation of Sound Design 35 THE FUNCTION AND INTENT OF SOUNDS 37 SOUND DESIGN AND ONSTAGE ACTION 38 EMOTION AND CONTRAST 39 APPROPRIATENESS 41 THEATRICAL FORMS/STYLES OF SOUND DESIGN 42 CONVENTIONS OF MUSIC AND EFFECTS 45 CREATING FOCUS WITH CUEING 53 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOUND CUE 57 REFERENCES 62 Chapter 3. Developing the Concept and Design 63 WORKING WITH THE SCRIPT 64 CHOOSING SOUND EFFECTS OR MUSICAL EFFECTS 67 CONSIDERING OTHER DESIGN ELEMENTS 68 MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR 70 BUDGETARY REALITIES 72 Chapter 4. Research, Resources, and Selection 74 MUSIC RESOURCES 77 SOUND EFFECTS RESOURCES 80 OUTSIDE CONTACTS 82 THE LEGALITY OF PULLED MUSIC AND EFFECTS 83 SEGMENTABLE MUSIC 84 PRESENTING YOUR CHOICES 86 Chapter 5. The Sound Plot 88 THE PRELIMINARY PLOT 88 SUBSEQUENT SOUND PLOTS 90 SOURCES OR PLAYBACK DEVICES 95 TRACKS 96 CUE NUMBERS AND LETTERS 96 THE LOUDSPEAKER PLOT 100 Chapter 6. Working with the Theatre Company 103 CONTRACTS 104 PRINCIPAL POSITIONS IN THE THEATRE COMPANY 108 PRODUCTION MEETINGS 115 BUDGETARY LIMITATIONS 115 TOURING CONSIDERATIONS 116 Chapter 7. Preparing to Build the Cues 118 ORGANIZING YOUR WORK 119 GATHERING THE SOUND SOURCES 120 RECORDING YOUR OWN EFFECTS 122 ASSESSING CUE PARAMETERS 125 THE BUDGET 130 THE RUNNING CREW 131 Chapter 8. Recording, Editing, and Refining Cues 133 PRERECORDED CUES 133 SPLITTING TRACKS/ALTERNATE MIXES/PROCESSING 135 BUILDING THE SHOW 135 PLAYBACK SYSTEMS 136 BACKING UP YOUR WORK 139 LIVE AND PRACTICAL EFFECTS 139 Chapter 9. Rehearsals 141 PREPARING FOR TECHNICAL REHEARSALS 144 SETTING UP IN THE HOUSE 150 YOUR TECH POSITION 154 PAPER TECH 156 LEVEL SET 156 FIRST TECH 157 MAKING CHANGES 159 DRY TECH 160 DRESS TECH 161 PREVIEWS 161 FINAL REHEARSALS 162 Chapter 10. Running the Show 164 THE SOUNDCHECK 166 TOP-OF-SHOW PRESET 171 POSTSHOW 173 OPERATING THE SOUND 175 CUE SHEETS 175 TRAINING THE NOVICE OPERATOR 186 TRAINING A REPLACEMENT OPERATOR 187 TOURING 187 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 188 AFTER THE SHOW CLOSES 189 Chapter 11. Approaches and Techniques 190 CREATING STYLIZED EFFECTS 192 AVOIDING UNIDENTIFIABLE EFFECTS 194 BUILDING/EXECUTING COMPLEX SEQUENCES 195 ADJUSTING THE LENGTH OF CUES 196 THE DOPPLER EFFECT AND PANNING 197 BLENDING PITCHES AND CHANGING MUSIC 199 FIELD RECORDING 200 COMPRESSING UNDERSCORING 201 BUILDING A FADE INTO THE CUE 201 TIMING CUES 201 PROCESSING THE PERFORMER’S VOICE 203 PLAYING SOUND CUES WITH A MIDI TRIGGER 203 RELATIVE DISTANCE 205 BLENDING LIVE AND PRERECORDED SOUND 205 TIPS FOR PRODUCING LIVE EFFECTS 206 AND FINALLY... 208 Feedback: A Directors’ and Playwrights’ Forum 209 THE DIRECTORS 209 THE PLAYWRIGHTS 211 DIRECTORS’ QUESTIONS 212 PLAYWRIGHTS’ QUESTIONS 234 More Feedback: A Sound Designers’ and Composers’ Forum 246 THE SOUND DESIGNERS AND COMPOSERS 246 SOUND DESIGNERS’ AND COMPOSERS’ QUESTIONS 249 No More Feedback: A Sound Reinforcement Forum 312 THE SOUND REINFORCEMENT DESIGNERS 312 SOUND REINFORCEMENT DESIGNERS’ QUESTIONS 314 Glossary 330 A 330 B 330 C 330 D 331 E 331 F 332 G 332 H 332 I 333 J 333 L 333 M 333 N 334 O 334 P 334 Q 334 R 334 S 335 T 335 U 335 W 335 Index 336 A 336 B 336 C 336 D 337 E 338 F 338 G 338 H 339 I 339 J 339 K 339 L 339 M 340 N 341 O 341 P 341 Q 342 R 342 S 342 T 344 U 345 V 345 W 345 Z 345 The same loved book you've been using for years - now including everything you need to know about sound design for the theatre. This edition still focuses on aesthetics of sound design for the stage along with design approaches and techniques. You'll still get the in-depth discussion with leading sound designers and composers to see how the experts get the job done.BUT, this new third edition has swept out the old to bring you the new! Now included is all of the latest technical information that you will need including:•Information about Digital Audio Workstations as everyday tools for sound effects•Maximizing the Internet and computer as a major, important, every day tool for today's sound designers and also composer? as a 24-hour library•new roundtable forum discussion with sound reinforcement designers that uncovers the way they make and communicate aesthetic decision•A fresh look at technology used to build and execute shows (digital audio workstations, software, and your computer as creative management tool)•Everyday paperwork'new examples for sound plots and queue sheets to increase the variety of examples and so you can pick your best fit "Sound and Music for the Theatre, Second Edition, is the only comprehensive text that discusses the aesthetics of sound design for the stage. This practical guide examines the designer's relationships within the theatre community and details the process of sound design. The focus is on design approaches and techniques, rather than equipment operation."--BOOK JACKET. For every phase of theatrical production, this book traces the entire process of sound design from initial concept through closing night. The book discusses the early evolution of a sound design that supports the play, from researching sources for music and effects to negotiating a contract.--Publisher's description Traces the process of sound design from initial concept through closing night. This book discusses the early evolution of a sound design that supports the play, from researching sources for music and effects to negotiating a contract.