Sound

A relatively new area of technical theatre, the art of sound design wasn’t recognised in the UK Olivier Awards until 2004. 
Other languages: geluiden (Dutch)

See also


History: Festival Sound pt.1 (March 2017)
[External Website]
From Lighting & Sound International

History: Festival Sound pt.2 (May 2017)
[External Website]
From Lighting & Sound International

History: Line Arrays (April 2016)
[External Website]
From Lighting & Sound International

LSI: Live Sound Advances (January 2017)
[External Website]
From Lighting & Sound International

Andrew Bruce: The Musical 
[External Website]

Andrew Bruce: Theatre Sound - Towards Digital Mixing 
[External Website]

Andrew Bruce: Staging A Musical - The Sound Perspective 
[External Website]

Andrew Bruce: Theatrical Address - Loudspeakers for Theatre 
[External Website]

Video

Books

2021

Show Networks and Control Systems
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2021

Sound Design for Film
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2020

Productivity Through Wellness for Live Entertainment and Theatre Technicians
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2020

The Sound of The Theatre
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2019

Sound Design for the Stage
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2018

Mixing a Musical: Broadway Theatrical Sound Techniques
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2018

Soundman: A Journey Through Rock n Roll Sound
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2018

The Art of Theatrical Sound Design
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2016

The Theatre Riggers Handbook
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2015

Entertainment Electronics
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2015

Sound and Music for the Theatre
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2014

Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2014

Entertainment Rigging for the 21st Century: Compilation of Work on Rigging Practices, Safety, and Related Topics
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2014

The Foley Grail: The Art of Performing Sound
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2010

Designing Sound
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2010

Perfecting Sound Forever
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2009

Sound
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2008

The Sound Effects Bible
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2007

Ultimate Live Sound Operator's Handbook
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2005

Live Sound Reinforcement
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2004

Theatrical Design and Production
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2002

Sound for the Stage
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2001

Sound Design
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2001

Theatre Sound
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2000

Essential Guide to Stage Management, Lighting and Sound
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1994

Lighting and Sound
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1990

Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US

External Links

Access Equipment

Aluminium Access Products Tallescope manufacturers [UK]
Genie Lifts and Access Equipment [Worldwide]
Slingsby Access ladders [UK]
Zarges Access ladders & towers [Germany & UK]

Designers

Adrienne Quartly Sound Design for Performance [UK]
Alma Kelliher Sound Design [UK]
Gareth Fry Sound Design for Theatre [London UK]
Gareth Owen Sound Designer [Worldwide]
John Leonard Theatre Sound and Show Control [UK]
Mic Pool Sound and Video Design for Theatre
Paul Arditti Sound Design [UK]
Simon Baker Sound Design [UK]
Steven Brown Sound Design

Discussion Forums

in 1: the podcast The Lives of Theatrical Designers
Podcast: Production Meetings Essential listening
Podcast: Theatrewolf History and Innovation in a wide range of technical theatre areas
The Blue Room Technical Discussion Forum [UK]

Equipment

101 Uses for Gaffa Tape (Photo gallery)
101 Uses for Gaffer Tape (List)
Ironclad Performance Work Gloves [Los Angeles, CA, USA]
Pockit Utility holsters & accessories for your tools [USA]
Setwear Gloves, belts, bags [CA, USA]
 Flightcases / Touring >> 3D Flight Cases Professional UK flight case manufacturers [UK]
 Flightcases / Touring >> BCS Manufacturing Flightcases
 Flightcases / Touring >> Packhorse Flightcases [Peterborough, UK]

Health & Safety

RU Safe? information and guidance about safety in small venues [UK]
Theatre Safety Blog

Installation

Cable Organizer Cable Raceways [USA]
Kirei ECHOPanel sustainable acoustic panel [USA]
MTX Engineering Metalwork and Accessories [UK]

Jobs

Gallowglass Event Crews in UK & Mainland Europe [UK & Europe]
Parents & Carers In Performing Arts [UK]
SoundGirls.org Empowering the next generation of women in audio
Mandy.com (formerly StageJobsPro) Theatre and Stage Jobs for UK Professionals [UK]

Manufacturers

Allen & Heath Mixing Desks [UK]
AMS Neve Mixing desks and outboard equipment [USA]
Bartlett Audio Microphones [USA]
Behringer Mixing desks and outboard equipment [Germany, Europe]
Cadac Mixing Desks [UK]
Clear-Com Headsets [USA]
Countryman Microphones & Accessories [CA, USA]
DiGiCo Digital mixers [USA]
Eartec Wireless Headsets [USA]
Luminex (IT Networks for AV) [Belgium]
Mackie Mixing Desks, Outboard equipment, speakers [USA]
MC2 Audio Amplifiers and installation [Honiton, Devon, UK]
Midas Consoles Mixers
Sennheiser Microphones [Germany]
Soundcraft Mixing Desks [UK]
Telex Wireless & wired intercoms [Australia]
Williams Sound Wireless communication technology [USA]
Yamaha Pro Audio Mixers, Speakers, Outboard Equipment

Music

BenSound Royalty Free Music
Free Music Archive Royalty Free Music
London Arrangements Backing tracks and arrangements
Pixabay Royalty Free Music
StoryBlocks Stock Music & Sound Effects

Publications

Audio Media
AV Magazine

Resources

A Sound Effect Independent Sound Effects Collections
Allan Chapman & James Insurance Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK]
Bartlett Audio - Learn More About Audio Helpful Guides
BBC Sound Effects Collection
Binaural Audio - Virtual Barber Shop listen with headphones
Crew Cover Insurance Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK]
Designing Sound Art and technique of sound design
Essential Kit for a Sound Engineer
Freesound Sound Library
Guide to Sound Effects How to create realistic foley sounds
How to be a theatrical sound engineer The Guardian, August 2012
La Playa UK Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK / USA]
Load-In International Live Touring Industry magazine [UK]
Media College Audio Tutorials & Reference
Multipoint Suspension - not as easy as it seems Essential reading!
Soundcraft Guide To Mixing Essential and free to download
SoundDogs Downloadable Sound Effects
Soundsnap Sound Effects Online
Soundworks Collection Sound for Film
Step By Step Guide to Sound Design by Mic Pool [UK]
Theatre Digs Booker Touring Accommodation Finder [UK]
Theatre's Revolution in Sound Design The Guardian, October 2008
Walk - Listen - Create Sound Walks Resources and Events
Whispers to thunderstorms: the world of sound designer Max Pappenheim Guardian, April 2021
Wrightsure Insurance Public Liability Insurance [UK]

Research

Foley Article at theStudioTour.com
Greek Theatre Acoustics from The Guardian
Infrasound linked to spooky effects NBC
StageWork Resources about the backstage work of the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Birmingham Rep [UK]

Software

Ableton Music & Soundscape production
Ardour Open Source Digital Audio Workstation
Audio Toolset 2 Vectorworks Plug-in
BandLab Free app/browser-based sound editing and multi-track composition
Baxel Data - Cue Player Software for Windows
Bitwig Studio Digital Audio Workstation
ClipChamp Free Online Video Editor
CSC Show Control from CTR Electronics [UK]
Drafty App for lighting, sound & video designers [USA]
KM Player Audio & Video media player for Windows
Mic Pool's QLab Cook Book Hints and Tips for Serious Users [UK]
Mitti Video Cue Playback
Procedural Audio Resources
Q-Widget USB Remote for Qlab [USA]
Radial Theater Project: Audio Cues Cue Playback for Android / Chromebook
Reaper Digital Audio Workstation [NY, USA]
Sound Byte Computerised cart rack for radio stations & entertainment
StageCaller Make your cellphone ring via wifi
Traktor Digital DJing
Vivien - Cast Lighting Event Design & Planning Software
X-Keys Computer Input Devices Buttons to control Qlab etc. [USA]
 Projection Mapping >> HeavyM Easy Projection Mapping software [France]
 Projection Mapping >> MadMapper Video & Light Mapping Software
 Show Control >> Qlab Event-driven media playback for Mac
 Show Control >> Trigger Audio & Video playback [UK]
 Free Software for Sound Editing >> Audacity Free Audio Editor for Windows & Mac

Suppliers

AED Group
Audio Gold Vintage Hi-Fi and Audio [London, UK]
Audio Light Systems [Edinburgh, Scotland, UK]
AudioLinks Services [USA]
Autograph Sound [London, UK]
Canford Audio Radio Mic Pouches [UK]
Flints Theatrical Chandlers Tools and Supplies [London, UK]
Full Compass Supplier [UK ]
Gear Source Europe Secondhand / Used Equipment [Kent, UK]
Orbital Sound [London, UK / New York, USA]
Planet DJ Lighting, Sound & DJ Equipment [NV, USA]
Pro Sound & Stage Lighting Sales [CA, USA]
SLX Lighting, Sound, Scenic Hire and Events [UK]
Thomann [Germany, Europe]
Warwick Corporate Events [Devon, UK]

Unions / Associations

AAPTLE Alliance of Associations & Professionals in Theatre and Live Events [UK]
ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) Training, Advice, Membership [London, UK]
Actors Equity [American actors and stage managers] [USA]
ALIA Australasian Lighting Industry Association [Australasia]
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers [USA]
Association of Sound Designers [UK]
BECTU Broadcasting, Entertainment & Cinematograph Trade Union (UK) [London, UK]
LPA Live Performance Australia
MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA)
NCDT (National Council for Drama Training) [London, UK]
PLASA UK Professional Lighting & Sound Association [UK]
Skillset [London, UK]
USITT United States Institute for Theatre Technology [USA]

Keywords: 音響, Sound Design – the Process, Sound design for theatre, sound design for theater