Hello.

As a local enthusiast, my local drama group have asked me to look into the possibility of playing sound effects from a computer. We have some security problems with the hall that is being used and using a laptop computer to play the effects would mean we a) can take the equipment out of the hall each night and also use the effects during rehearsals over the next few months.

I have been looking for a program that will help with this task as the person designated as sound operator is not very confident and really needs something simple to use, preferably something setup for them that they just have to press a button at the right time.

The only program that I can find is in America and called SFX, but it is nearly $500 which is a bit much for 2 shows every year!

Does anyone have any advice, or know of any software that is available that may help ?

Thank you
Chris Dower

p.s. what are "emoticons" ! - I've enabled them

QUOTE (Chris Dower @ Mar 1 2003, 12:50 AM)

Hello. As a local enthusiast, my local drama group have asked me to look into the possibility of playing sound effects from a computer. We have some security problems with the hall that is being used and using a laptop computer to play the effects would mean we a) can take the equipment out of the hall each night and also use the effects during rehearsals over the next few months. I have been looking for a program that will help with this task as the person designated as sound operator is not very confident and really needs something simple to use, preferably something setup for them that they just have to press a button at the right time. The only program that I can find is in America and called SFX, but it is nearly $500 which is a bit much for 2 shows every year! Does anyone have any advice, or know of any software that is available that may help ? Thank you Chris Dower p.s. what are "emoticons" ! - I've enabled them

Hello,

500????? disallowed word that... Windows give s you everything you need to do this.

Best format is a WAV file or a MP3 file. And Windows Media Player can play both I think. Certainly the MP3 file.

Windows does have a Wave Player which will play the WAV file.

Idealy if timing isn't too much an issue, double clicking on th MP3 or the WAV file will start the application which is related to it and play it once. That simple.

Your laptop must be have a "LINE OUT" or "SPEAKERS" jack plug socket to connect everything to the sound system. Older ones might not have a sound card/sockets. REMEMBER to switch OFF all other Windows Sounds.....!!! hehehe

I've used computers to do many things in Am Dram and one Professional shows myself. I wrote a Application in MS ACCESS which showed the SFX queues and next to each a button that player the WAV file. Quite simple to create.

But I've seen other groups use a simple MP3 player and ahve all the SFX lined up in order. Double click on each to play.

Most MP3 players can convert from WAV to MP3. When I get sometime (yeah like) I'll write that program again and make it available for everyone here. Unless a proper "Coder" can quickly knock one up in VB or Access.

As for the smilies??? What ya mean?
<_<

Ahhh now watch out...

I'm not sure about playing "over" an effect still playing...

I suppose you could have a MP3 playing a long effect, like for example a "Sea Side Scene"...

Then use the WAV player to play things like Seaguls, or a fog horn, now and then.

Just something to think about...
Experiment and REHEARSE OFTEN!!!!!

C D (thats appropriate initials for a sound techie to be) You could look at Evolutions Sound Studio Gold on www.evolution.co.uk. If I'm not mistaken you can download a free trial!!. This will handle both .mid and audio(.Wav) and has loop facilities to keep the clip playing. If your requirement is for mixing you can add additional tracks to the effect. For rehearsals you can use this programme with mid files and it will allow you to transpose and alter the speed of playback.

Try

http://www.theatrecrafts.com/sound_links.html

There are some links to cheap software effect players for theatre there

Hello,

I found a program called adsono (that i now notice is now advertized on this webpage!) at the weekend and thought I would let you know that we are going to try it out at a few rehearsals, but it looks like it could be what we need.

I would like to thank you all for your help. Being fairly new to the internet, I didn't know excellent places like this existed until recently.

Thank you again
Chris

Sorry, but windows WAV player is nothing like SFX.
SFX will play unlimited effects to 8 or 16 outputs (depending on the version). It will overlap effects, it will fade in and out on Q, It will trigger the next Q after a specified time. It will even trigger lighting Qs (ideal for groups who are struggling to get technicians who can attend every performance). I have been running a 8 channel system for 2 years, some of the Qs and effects I have produced on SFX would been imposable using my old mini disk system. MY SYSTEM IS FOR HIRE if any group is interested in a demo please get in contact.

David

Martin

SFX has MIDI Show Control. MCI Effect, Restart Effect, RS232 Effect, Relay Switch trigger, Simple DMX, MIDI and Time Code (reader and generator).
The LD designs the show and plots just has he (or She) has always done. SFX can then take control of the lighting desk Or the lighting desk can control the sound PC, and it can change from Q to Q (you can even ring the bar bells)
Yes it is pricy, but its worth every penny. You can down load a evaluation copy from ttp://www.stageresearch.com/support/downloads.aspx


David

David,

That sounds really cool I'm going to investigate this much further I presume that sfx allows you to record and play with different effects and isn't just a playback tool.

For $500 that is quite cheap, I know some people will be astonished with that statement but I've just invested in WYSIWYG ( a lighting 3D cad and programing software suite) that comes to the wrong side of ?3000. It'll never ever pay for itself on amateur productions - but sometimes if you want pull something big off you need the tools to do it.

Martin

SFX is just a playback tool. I record and edit with cooledit pro.

During ploting, I playback the effect and rerecord with the EQ settings for Theatre space. After that its all on the Go button.


David.

Does anyone else think that playing sound FX on a computer just complicates things. With a Minidisc or CD you have only one volume level to worry about - with a computer you have two or even three - the software's volume setting, possibly the laptop' and that of the amplifier you're pumping it through. Talk about making more work for yourself. Far better to do all your fancy editing and mixing on the computer and then dump it all onto something like MD.

Alex

Alex,
When I use a computer for playback, I try to avoid the software volume controls - that is to say, I set them once, then control the volume via the external amplifier. A physical control is much easier (and more certain) than trying to control an on-screen fader with a mouse.

I'd never advocate the use of computer controls for master playbacks (volume and tone) they just don't have the instant access that a mixing desk (or amp) has

Hi,

Cooledit Pro generally does the trick for me.


I've used it in the past to edit and repeat sound effects, and cut musical tracks.

I then burn the fx to CD and use a CD player.

Dave.