Automatic Sound Design System

BREAKING NEWS!

An automatic sound design system was announced this morning, and is set to revolutionise the way sound is created for films and television soundtracks.

Called Autosounder, the system works using a special camera that analyses the moving footage from a film or TV sequence. The advanced processing system then determines what sound effects are required in the production. It then generates the appropriate sounds from the extensive library of over one billion sound effects. The system uses a special high resolution camera that is even able to detect the motion of a pin drop on screen and then add the appropriate sound in automatically. All in real time!

For example the all important sound of footsteps can be easily created as the system can detect not only what footwear the actor is using, but also on what surface the actor is walking, and their relative distance from the camera.

Clothes sounds too are created with precision accuracy by analysing the movement of, and type of clothes the actor is wearing.

Atmospheres can also be generated accurately and creatively as the system is able to compare a particular scene with it's library of over 1 million different scene scenarios and then select the most appropriate atmospheres, all delivered in a choice of either 5.1 or 7.1 formats, ready to lay up to your project.

In fact with the optional extra, Autolayer, the system will work with a digital audio workstation (DAW) of your choice to laying up all the sounds automatically to your timeline, perfectly synced and well organised, ready for mixing.

The second optional extra, Automixer is able to take the files generated by Autosounder and laid up by Autolayer, and provide a perfect theatrical, DVD, TV or mobile sound mix.

Finally Autodel ensures those all important deliverables such as 7.1, 5.1, LCRS, stereo, optical, magnetic, beta*, M+E, two-plus-four, four-be-two, mono, etc., are all handled automatically.

The system has been received very warmly by the Film Producers Club. One excited producer commented, 'The sound post can be effectively completed in one day, so we can spend the rest of the week selling the film!'

However the sound unions have reacted in a somewhat more sombre manner. One official commented, 'Sound constitutes more than fifty percent of a film presentation and is the real emotion behind the pictures. Where, might I ask you is the emotion in Autosounder?'

The Autosounder system is shipping it's first units in May to an undisclosed location. Company representatives were a little cagy as to who the new clients were, and were unwilling to provide any pictures to go with this article.

*Requires Betatrans add-on for effective operation.

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