"Slating your recordings. This is the biggest and best tip I could give to anyone starting out. It's really simple, after you hit record, tell the recorder what you're recording. Where you're recording. What you're recording with and any other information that might be useful in the future. Honestly, your future self will thank you. I can't tell you how many unnamed files I had when I first started out with a random recording on them. I had no idea what I was listening to and it was a nightmare to figure it out. A simple verbal slate would have saved me soooo much time!"
Rare Finds Sound Design - Behind The RAD
On a very windy February day, Molly & Megan got the opportunity to spend the day with sound artist, Oliver Menadue - The creative mind behind the brilliant Youtube Channel & Instagram 'Rare Finds Sound Design'.
Tell us a little about yourself...
"My name is Ollie and I'm a Sound Artist based in the UK.
I started Rare Finds Sound Design (RFSD) as a creative outlet for the music I was making while studying at university. The RFSD page actually started off life as Menedh Du (which is my music artist name). It’s the original Cornish spelling of my second name "Menadue" meaning black hill. If you look closely, you can see how it inspired my logo.
I studied Popular Music at Falmouth University where I went with the intention of being a session drummer. It wasn't until I was tasked with creating my own music from scratch that I really found enjoyment in recording sound effects and samples. After University I did an internship at Radium Audio in Bristol where I was later employed as an Audio Visual creative for 5+ years. Working mainly in the studio I was tasked with building instruments, recording weird and wonderful sounds and designing in programs like Pro Tools and After Effects.
I then saved up for a year to travel to Australia & New Zealand. This is where I really got into Field Recording and posting more frequently on the RFSD page. Since then I've been working as an Audio Visual freelancer / content creator and I'm loving it!"
That’s fascinating—what’s the most unique or unusual sound you’ve ever captured?
"That's an interesting question because I often go out with a checklist of things I want to record and end up stumbling on sounds I wasn't expecting.
Recently I recorded my childhood Playstation 2 with a cheap Telephone Pickup Coil. The Pickup Coil allowed me to hear Electromagnetic frequencies made by the Playstation. You can't hear these sounds normally, as the Electromagnetic Frequencies are inaudible. But with one of these microphones, you can!
I think that's what I love most about listening and recording. There are so many great creatives building microphones, instruments and listening tools that allow me to find new sounds. It can often be the most mundane object that creates the coolest sound, you just have to find it."
Do you have a favourite tool or software for sound design that you use?
"I use Cubase for most of my editing and sound design. I love taking the sounds that I’ve recorded and further manipulating them with effects. Some great sounds can be made by simply slowing down your recordings and pitch shifting them to create crazy textures. There’s a free software called paulstretch which is great for this.
I’ve also had a lot of fun using older technology and hardware like cassette tapes, dictaphones, reel to reel players and guitar pedals. It can be fun to get away from a computer at times to get hands on with sound tools."
What is one sound design tip you WISH you had known when you were just starting out?
Essential Kit?
"It has to be my Sony M10. I love it so much I bought another one. It's so so simple and easy to use, it comes everywhere with me. I hardly ever need to charge the batteries which makes it an ideal travel companion. Paired with a set of small omnidirectional microphones you can capture some beautiful ambiences with something that basically fits in your pocket (I use a little satchel bag). "
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring sound designers?
"Don’t get caught up in having the best of the best equipment. I know that’s kind of contradictory to what you see on my Social Media as I am always testing new equipment. But some of my favourite recordings have been with my old second hand Sony M10. This recorder is super small and simple, I can take it anywhere and capture great recordings. It’s a classic thing to say but the more you do it the better you’ll get. I still have a lot to learn myself but the biggest piece of advice i could give would be to get out there and get recording. Whatever it is, just hit record and listen."
Thank you to Oliver for taking the time to show us the ropes when it comes to Sound Artisty.
To see more on Rare Find Sounds Design, check out his Instagram or YouTube Channel.
