Sound Effects (SFX)

Sound effects (SFX) are subdivided into a variety of elements (units) , including hard effects, soft effects, Foley, and ambience. Hard effects are narrative sounds that are synced to on-screen objects or actions. They can be further broken down into editorial and designed effects. Editorial effects are literal sounds added to on-screen events such as doors opening or drive-bys, and design effects are created to cover objects or events requiring nonliteral sound treatment. Foley is recorded to the on-screen image or with a specific on-screen image in mind, adding performance value to sound props or footsteps. Ambience (background) is nonsynchronous sound used to define the environment in which the animation takes place; an example of ambience would be the sounds of the city coming through the window of a hotel room. Room tone is the subtlest element of ambience and includes such elements as air handlers, fluorescent lights, and appliance motors. Many effects are built-up or sweetened with additional sounds to enhance their narrative value.