suggestions for general effects library

[mark007]

hi guys,

I'm looking to invest into a high quality (completely royalty free) comprehensive general effects library to be used in the production of all kinds of radio ads, something that would represent a worthwhile investment for many years. What would you recommend?

Also I was curious if there are any libraries at 24 bit/48 kHz (or higher) or are they're all pretty much at 16/44.1 ?

thanks
mark

ps: I noticed that BBC sfx libraries for instance are much less expensive than say SERIES 6000 – any particular reason for it??? (lower audio quality? less comprehensive?)

[hle144]

Hi, We have mostly all the efx libraries available. The entire Sound Ideas, BBC, Hanna Barbera, etc...

The one I keep going back to even without noticing which catalog it came from is the Hollywood Edge collection. Its audio samples, so their at 16 bits, but they really pack a punch. Very clear samples, good stereo imaging, very hype sounding so they cut through more.

Sound Ideas 6000 has most of the general sounds you would need for picture, not a bad series. But this series is a little dated, when you do find that efx, you realize you have heard it a million times already. They are a little generic for todays standards.

Check out what Hollywood edge has available first. IMHO

[Energie]

A Company called Digital juice put out SFX 1 and SFX 2, lots of sfx, nice sounding, great great value. its newer to soo not nearly as dated as the sound ideas or hollywood edge first collecton (which i have both).

my only gripe with the digital juice library is that it works with their software, and you have to render out the sfx first, then load it into your workstation, takes an extra step, but the good thing about that is that you can preview all of their libraries right from their software, and pick which ones you want.


www.digitaljuice.com


products, sfx

[Dopamine]

We have lots of the Sound Ideas (2000, 6000 and part of the XV series)

The XV series has been my go-to. Looking to get the addition to that series.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by mark007

hi guys,

I'm looking to invest into a high quality (completely royalty free) comprehensive general effects library to be used in the production of all kinds of radio ads, something that would represent a worthwhile investment for many years. What would you recommend?

Also I was curious if there are any libraries at 24 bit/48 kHz (or higher) or are they're all pretty much at 16/44.1 ?

thanks
mark

ps: I noticed that BBC sfx libraries for instance are much less expensive than say SERIES 6000 – any particular reason for it??? (lower audio quality? less comprehensive?)

I have many commercial libraries, and though I still get a lot of use out of the Sound Ideas stuff, I'd have to agree that the Hollywood Edger Premier Edition series is the highest quality and most useful. They're up to V or VI now, so get as many as you can afford.

All CD libraries are at 16/44, of course, but downloaded fx usually allow you to set the quality parameters. Some newer libraries, as well as those provided on hard disk, are now available at higher sample rates and bit depths.

The reason certain older libraries are cheaper is that most of them were originally recorded to analog tape and are often of poorer quality than the more recent offerings. This doesn't mean they aren't useful, as retro-sounding effects are often appropriate, but they wouldn't be a good choice for a general use library. The Universal Studios and Hanna Barbera libraries are good examples of older sounding stuff that can be very useful (though those aren't that cheap!).

[mark007]

thanks for informative replies... I do have 3 other questions if anyone would care to answer:

1. What would be the top 2 or 3 (quality-wise) DOWNLOADABLE effects internet sites out there?
2. Are downloadable effects from sounddogs.com recommended in terms of quality?
3. Do you guys know any high quality “modern” sounding cartoon-type library? (I find some of the ones I heard sounded a little “old fashion” and lower quality)

mark

[meathman]

soundstorm is by far the sweetest sounding library. I have ALL the edge and SI stuff, its ok for most things and GREAT for other things, but Soundstorm is an amazing all around FX lib (on the downside it will put you out $7,500 WITHOUT the private stuff)
The sound ideas and edge animation collection sounds modern series 2000 4000 and the hanna barbera stuff is more vintage sounding... sounddogs.com is CD quality (16.44.1)

[meathman]

AND- digital juice 1 and 2 is now soundminer enabled... check out soundminer.com

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by mark007

[*]What would be the top 2 or 3 (quality-wise) DOWNLOADABLE effects internet sites out there?

The only two pay-per-download sites I've used are Sounddogs.com and sound-effects-library.com, and I've generally been satisfied with their quality. Both allow you low-fi auditioning before you buy.

There are others I haven't tried, so I'll be interested to see what else gets recommended here.

There are also a number of free sites, with one of the newest being soundsnap.com, which is pretty well-stocked and has a great interface. Quality isn't monitored on the free sites, so it will range from great to trash. But the price is right!

[mark007]

thanks guys