"Shot through a pillow" feel at DVinfo.net

Ernesto Mantaras · February 2nd, 2006, 09:12 PM

Hi. Newbie here. Hope to get going in here, as long as time allows.

I didn't know how to name the thread, it's kind of rare the effect I'm after. Now here's the situation I've got (please forgive my English, I'm not a native speaker): I have to make a shot sound effect sound like it was shot into a pillow. You know, like when some criminal wants to soften the noise of the gun so he isn't heard killing someone.

Actually, the scene involves two guys holding another, putting the guns to his chest, pushing hard and pulling the trigger. So the sound wouldn't be like the shot in the middle of a field. Oh, and these guys are out on the street, not inside any room.

I'm using Adobe Audition 1.0 to edit the sound, and I was wondering if any of you know a way to accomplish this "sensation" in a shot sound effect.

Hope I have come clear, and if there's anything that's not so, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for any help you can throw this way.

Glenn Davidson · February 2nd, 2006, 10:05 PM

I would start with rolling off the high frequencies and adding gain to 200 hz, Then use a noise gate to quickly attenuate any reverberant sound. Maybe add some close cloth rustling noise to the mix. Then the visual should sell it. Interesting task. Good luck.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 2nd, 2006, 11:15 PM

Were it me, I'd record secondary/Foley audio. Put a book on a pillow, mic the backside of the pillow, give the book a hard "whack" and record it. Mix it with what you've got already, and it'll fatten up, plus give you more the feel you're after.

Glenn Davidson · February 2nd, 2006, 11:56 PM

Hey, I like that idea!

Steve House · February 3rd, 2006, 06:06 AM

As Doug said. Or you could go the route you see in the lab scenes on the CSI TV series. Get a field recorder, a good mic, a pig carcass, a pillow, and a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum ..... <LOL>

Ernesto Mantaras · February 5th, 2006, 06:26 PM

Hey guys. Thanks for the answers, Sorry for my late reply. I tried some of what you said, but I don't have the fittest equipment to record "live" sound, which would have been a cool thing to add. Can't get the feeling I was looking for. But I've tried some workarounds, it passes as a shot against a body. Sort of.

Still, it's not a matter of life or death. I'll keep looking, but you reccomendations did improve what I had. I'll try to get a better mic, and then record that book and pillow again.

If only I could get a cheap pig carcass...

Bill Hamell · February 5th, 2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernesto Mantaras

If only I could get a cheap pig carcass...

Road kill?
A large dog or deer type animal will work.

Finn Hensner · February 19th, 2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernesto Mantaras

Hey guys. Thanks for the answers, Sorry for my late reply. I tried some of what you said, but I don't have the fittest equipment to record "live" sound, which would have been a cool thing to add. Can't get the feeling I was looking for. But I've tried some workarounds, it passes as a shot against a body. Sort of.

Still, it's not a matter of life or death. I'll keep looking, but you reccomendations did improve what I had. I'll try to get a better mic, and then record that book and pillow again.

If only I could get a cheap pig carcass...

You should have some filtering capabilities in Audition, not sure though... If you have, take whatever shot-pig-noise you could collect and try altering the cut-off frequency in the filter settings. That'll give you something to start with. Good luck!

K. Forman · February 19th, 2006, 03:54 PM

Mix in a splat sound with your muffled shot.

February 2nd, 2006, 09:12 PM	#1
Ernesto Mantaras Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Fe, Argentina Posts: 80	"Shot through a pillow" feel Hi. Newbie here. Hope to get going in here, as long as time allows. I didn't know how to name the thread, it's kind of rare the effect I'm after. Now here's the situation I've got (please forgive my English, I'm not a native speaker): I have to make a shot sound effect sound like it was shot into a pillow. You know, like when some criminal wants to soften the noise of the gun so he isn't heard killing someone. Actually, the scene involves two guys holding another, putting the guns to his chest, pushing hard and pulling the trigger. So the sound wouldn't be like the shot in the middle of a field. Oh, and these guys are out on the street, not inside any room. I'm using Adobe Audition 1.0 to edit the sound, and I was wondering if any of you know a way to accomplish this "sensation" in a shot sound effect. Hope I have come clear, and if there's anything that's not so, please let me know. Thanks in advance for any help you can throw this way. __________________ "Because the guy who wants too much risks losing absolutely everything. Of course, the guy who wants too little from life might not get anything at all."

February 2nd, 2006, 11:15 PM	#3
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Were it me, I'd record secondary/Foley audio. Put a book on a pillow, mic the backside of the pillow, give the book a hard "whack" and record it. Mix it with what you've got already, and it'll fatten up, plus give you more the feel you're after. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 3rd, 2006, 06:06 AM	#5
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	As Doug said. Or you could go the route you see in the lab scenes on the CSI TV series. Get a field recorder, a good mic, a pig carcass, a pillow, and a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum ..... <LOL> __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

February 5th, 2006, 06:26 PM	#6
Ernesto Mantaras Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Fe, Argentina Posts: 80	Hey guys. Thanks for the answers, Sorry for my late reply. I tried some of what you said, but I don't have the fittest equipment to record "live" sound, which would have been a cool thing to add. Can't get the feeling I was looking for. But I've tried some workarounds, it passes as a shot against a body. Sort of. Still, it's not a matter of life or death. I'll keep looking, but you reccomendations did improve what I had. I'll try to get a better mic, and then record that book and pillow again. If only I could get a cheap pig carcass... __________________ "Because the guy who wants too much risks losing absolutely everything. Of course, the guy who wants too little from life might not get anything at all."

February 19th, 2006, 03:54 PM	#9
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Mix in a splat sound with your muffled shot. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

February 2nd, 2006, 10:05 PM	#2
Glenn Davidson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nevada City, California Posts: 499	I would start with rolling off the high frequencies and adding gain to 200 hz, Then use a noise gate to quickly attenuate any reverberant sound. Maybe add some close cloth rustling noise to the mix. Then the visual should sell it. Interesting task. Good luck.

February 2nd, 2006, 11:56 PM	#4
Glenn Davidson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nevada City, California Posts: 499	Hey, I like that idea!