Post-Production : Sound Design books by James Dunn

Would love to also know as well :-)

Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema by David Sonnenschein http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sound-Design-Expressive-Effects-Cinema/dp/094118...

hmm, skip the music part. Sound designers who think they're composers, are like actors who think they're directors.

It's not really about composing, there are plenty of those books already. It's more about effectively using the music, voices and effects to create atmospheres in films. It also gives some good tips on recording sounds and effects which is invaluable.

music doesn't create atmosphere. Sound design creates atmosphere. recording and editing sound is great, and that's what it should be about. But i think it's important not to mix them up.

Music doesn't create atmosphere? That's news to me.

To me, music is primarily a story telling tool, used to explain what's happening and how it relates to everything before and after, not just how the audience should feel about it. less is very much more, the value of silence and natural sound is incredibly high.

Music is given a new meaning when inserted into the "film world", how anyone feels about it is subjective. The addition of music creates a richer texture and evokes emotions, for example, using music to create heightened tension. Without music many films/scenes would; not have the same impact or feel empty, in my opinion.

Anyway, the book is about more about sound design as a whole, rather than use of music.

IMHO, trying to separate the audio elements of the production is an artificial business-based idea. I'm a composer and a sound designer, and when I figure out how I'm going to assemble a piece, I think almost equally about the music and the other audio. Generalities about music as it relates to sound design always have a hollow ring to me. I could play you what I mean if you want... :)

you have to figure out how to assemble a piece? I've never had to do that, just flows from the screen for me.

Depends on what kind of stuff you're trying to cram into it... :o)

Sonnenscheins book is good for understanding the role of sound design in film and the expression methods of sound design. If you want to go from theory to practice, with real-life examples and practices, and loads of technical info, check this out: http://www.amazon.com/Producing-Great-Sound-Video-Expert/dp/024080970X/

I'd highly recommend the David Sonnenschein book. I'd also recommend checking out: The Sound Effects Bible by Ric Viers (http://www.amazon.com/The-Sound-Effects-Bible-Hollywood/dp/1932907483) and The Foley Grail (http://www.amazon.com/The-Foley-Grail-Performing-Animation/dp/0240811259)

The Foley Grail! (seriously)

Definitely the two books Brendan Gyles recommended! David Sonnenschein was my sound design instructor when I was in school and both of those books were used in the course, and excellent references.