The Sound Design Process

Tim Brown, Sound Designer

Brown's definition of a sound designer: "To design sounds, other than the musical notes, which support the environment of the production."

The sound design process begins with Brown meeting with the director to discuss her vision of the production. Brown listens to hundreds of different types of sounds to select the best ones to digitize and augment. Heartfield  is somewhat different from other productions in that the sound design needs to reflects the Brechtian nature of the production, the sounds effects used are often not realistic and  are intended to flaunt the production's theatricality, Brown says.  One of the final steps in the design process involve Brown recording the vocals from the cast along with the sound effects on CD to be played for the performances.

Brown says making sure the sound effects blend with the other production elements requires close collaboration with the other members of the design them. The sound effects must compliment and blend with the other productions elements, says Brown.