Once the edit is complete, the final step is audio-post-production. The majority of the work involved is editing sound to fit the picture.

Foreground incorporates a skilled staff of Sound Editors along with a diverse and talented group of freelance editors. When the Sound Editors first see the picture, the sound is rudimentary, sound effects are minimal, and the dialogue may be all but unintelligible.

The Sound Editors are then asked to assemble the individual dialogue, sound effects and music cues in sync to picture. The sound editing team is split into different groups or disciplines: Dialogue, ADR, Foley, FX and Music.

Sound Editors view the picture with an ear to what type of sounds will be needed to enhance it. Editors grab sound from a variety of sources: custom sounds created by the Sound Designer, production sound, new field recordings, and sound effects from libraries.

The editors split the individual sound elements into groups (or chunks) for flexibility and creative control in the mix. The editing process consists of splicing and slicing pieces of audio in sync to picture, one by one.

No processing is done on the sound. The main job is to isolate the dialogue, music, and sound effects to discrete tracks so that at the time of mixing the Re-recording Mixer has control of each sound element.

Once your script is complete and fully tailored to your specifications, the recording phase begins. The procedure for a post-production recording session usually begins with digitally recording the narrator. Music is then added to the soundtrack along with sound effects and field dialogue recordings (necessary ambient sounds), transferred from pre-recorded DAT (Digital Audio Tape) or CDs.

Next, the audio elements are mixed. Tone and gain adjustments are made to each element to ensure the proper sound levels and are then blended together seamlessly. The final mix can then be recorded onto various media such as CD, DAT, hard disk or overlaid onto the original video tape.

By working on the audio segment of your production separately using a studio such as Foreground Image’s — with the acoustics, tools and experience that can only be found at a facility dedicated to audio — you are assured the highest quality soundtrack. High quality sound increases your production value dramatically.

When you are creating audio, it's not enough to record a script, just put in some effects and add a music track. Compelling sound always includes carefully crafted sound design.

At Foreground Image, we expect to come up with original sounds for all of our audio work. We will modify or create sounds to make the track work exactly the way you want it to. We have expansive effects libraries, of course, but a canned sound effect is just a starting point, a rough idea.

There are two requirements for superb sound design: a great imagination and complete mastery of the technical tools. Since we offer both, we are in a position to say that the first one—imagination—is the most important.

Foreground's team of talented designers will create original, distinctive sound for your projects. We design sound for film, television, internet, commercials, games, animation, and more.

Great sound work doesn't call attention to itself, and it's never forced. It comes from experimentation and collaboration, whether it's production sound extracted from sound rolls, archival recordings used from our vast library, or custom sound created especially for you.

Industrial sound design (i.e. creating an audio component for your product or business) is fast becoming an integral part of the industrial design process — for both its aesthetic qualities as well as its ability to help savvy businesses stand out in the contemporary mass media culture. Our creative team can help you design the audio signature that will brand your product or business. We take ideas from concept to completion. Call our studios to schedule a complimentary consultation.