SOUND EFFECTS Blog

Introduction

Water is one of the most versatile, and deceptively challenging elements to record in sound design. From a gentle drip to a crashing wave, water sounds can evoke calm, chaos, tension, or even comedy, depending on how they’re captured and used. 

While some sound libraries offer an immensely wide range of pre-recorded sound effects, it feels great to experience the texture and specificity of recording your own. But working with water comes with its own set of technical hurdles, such as splashes, unpredictable acoustics, and the ever-present risk of damaging your gear. 

In this guide we will show you how to record water, and we’ll explore the tools, techniques, and creative approaches you can use to record water safely and effectively, whether you're after a serene stream or the unpredictable chaos of water's motion.

Why Record Real Water?

Both recording your own water sounds and using a pre-made library come with their own advantages. The right choice often depends on your specific needs, access to equipment, and how much time you have to work with. Below, we’ll explore the benefits of each approach to help you decide what works best for your project.

Purchasing a bundle: 

• Get high-quality sounds instantly, ready to drop into your project
• Access a wide variety of water types without needing to record them yourself
• Perfect for tight deadlines and fast turnarounds
• Often more affordable than investing in recording gear
• No need to worry about location, weather, or recording conditions

Capturing your own water sounds:

• Full creative control over the sounds you capture
• Results in unique, original audio that’s truly your own
• Easily customize textures, tones, and environments to match your vision
• Potentially more affordable if you already have the right gear and access to a suitable location
• A valuable learning experience that helps build real-world sound recording skills

Ultimately, the choice between recording your own sounds or buying a library comes down to your preference and workflow. If you choose to purchase a bundle, be sure to evaluate its quality carefully. Look for reputable providers, assess whether the price and file size offer good value, and ensure the sounds include UCS metadata for easy organization. High-resolution audio (preferably 24-bit at 96kHz or 192kHz) is a must, and most importantly, confirm that the library contains all the water sounds you actually need to make the purchase worthwhile. If you’re considering purchasing a sound library, be sure to check out 344SFX’s own bundle, Water In Motion, a solid option for high-quality, versatile water recordings.

Recording Gear

When it comes to recording water, having the right gear is essential, especially if you're aiming to capture underwater sounds, just be sure to keep a few towels nearby, recording water can get unexpectedly messy! 

Underwater Recording

A hydrophone is a specialized type of microphone designed for this exact purpose. Unlike standard microphones that detect vibrations in the air, a hydrophone picks up pressure changes within the water, allowing it to record sounds beneath the surface with clarity and detail. This makes it perfect for capturing audio such as:

• Bubbling or gurgling
• Submerged splashes
• Aquatic life
• Underwater movement (like swimming or paddling)

The H2a Hydrophone is a solid microphone choice for anyone interested in underwater recording, offering reliable performance and clear sound capture beneath the surface.

Directional or Outdoor Recording

For focused outdoor recordings, like a flowing stream, crashing waterfall, or rain hitting a surface, a shotgun microphone is an excellent choice. These mics feature a narrow pickup pattern (typically supercardioid or hypercardioid), allowing them to capture sound directly in front while reducing noise from the sides and rear. This makes them ideal for isolating water sounds in environments where wind, wildlife, or distant traffic might otherwise interfere.

• Dripping taps or leaking pipes – Isolate sharp, clean drips in indoor or quiet settings
• Pouring water – From bottles, jugs, or buckets for use in Foley or kitchen scenes
• Waves or splashes – Focused outdoor capture of specific wave crashes or splashes
• Showers or streams – Isolate the direct water flow while minimizing ambient noise
• Hands interacting with water – Great for Foley (washing, stirring, scooping)
• Rain hitting specific surfaces – Leaves, metal, umbrellas, windows, etc.
• Sprays or mists – From spray bottles, hoses, or misting systems

The Sennheiser MKH 50 is a high-end directional microphone that's excellent for this type of recording. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, the Sennheiser MKE 600 is a solid and reliable option when learning how to record water.

Don’t forget PROTECTION: A creative tip for protecting your microphone from water splashes or if you don't have access to a hydrophone, is to cover it with a non-lubricated condom, a surprisingly effective DIY barrier that doesn’t significantly affect sound quality. However, keep in mind this isn’t a foolproof solution, so use it with caution and avoid exposing your gear to direct or heavy water contact whenever possible.

Wind protection is important even near calm water, and waterproof covers can save your gear from splashes or accidents. Keep a few towels on hand just in case! As for recorders, most portable field recorders, like the Zoom H5/H6 or Tascam models, are more than capable of handling water recordings with solid preamps and multiple input options.

Recording Techniques

Capturing great water sounds is as much about technique as it is about gear. Experimenting with different containers and surfaces can dramatically change the tone of your recording. Pouring water into a metal basin, for example, produces a sharp, resonant sound, while plastic or glass containers create smoother, more muted tones. Try combining various surfaces and water levels to achieve a richer, layered effect, or utilise other pouring techniques such as:

• Plastic gallon into plastic tub
• Glass into plastic coffee cup 
• Glass into Glass of different sizes
• Paper cup pouring into plastic cups

As you can see, there are endless possibilities when it comes to recording pouring sounds. The key is to capture plenty of variation, try slow, steady pours, medium flows, fast rushes, and even short bursts. These subtle differences can make a big impact in your final mix and give you more flexibility during editing.

Mic placement also plays a major role in shaping the final sound. A close mic position will capture fine textures, like bubbles, drips, or subtle movement, while placing the mic further back gives a more ambient, environmental feel. This is especially useful when recording in natural spaces like streams or rivers. Keep in mind, you don’t need a professional studio or the ideal environment to record great water sounds. As long as you have a container and some creativity, you’re already well on your way.

Try experimenting with different actions, like splashing the water using your hands or various objects, or blowing into the water through a straw to create bubbles with different textures and intensities. This kind of hands-on experimentation is where a lot of the fun, and creativity, happens. 

The team at 344 Audio recently contributed to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, providing a rich collection of water recordings for one of the campaign levels. In the featured clip, you’ll hear a blend of underwater movements, surface transitions, splashes, crashing waves, and rainfall, each element carefully crafted to enhance the immersive atmosphere of the scene.

When working with moving water outdoors, try recording from both upstream and downstream. Upstream recordings tend to be cleaner, capturing water as it approaches the mic, while downstream can add more of the rushing and echoing qualities of flowing water.

Finally, consider layering your recordings. Break the scene down into elements: record isolated drips or pours, a broad ambient “bed” of flowing water, and sharper splashes or interactions separately. Layering gives you far more control in post-production and lets you shape the final sound with more precision and depth.

Experiment with Underwater Actions: Beyond just submerging a microphone (or using a hydrophone), consider interacting with the water to produce diverse sounds. Tapping objects underwater, swirling water with your hands, or blowing bubbles can create a range of textures and tones. These actions can add depth and variety to your recordings.

Be Mindful of Equipment Safety: Water and electronics don't mix well. Always ensure your recording devices are adequately protected. If you're improvising with DIY methods, be aware of the risks involved and test your setup in controlled environments before moving to more challenging locations.

By combining the right equipment with creative techniques, you can capture compelling above water and underwater sounds that enhance your projects. Remember, experimentation is key, and each recording session offers an opportunity to discover new sonic possibilities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best gear and intentions, it’s easy to make a few missteps when learning how to record water, especially if you're just starting out. Being aware of these common pitfalls can save you time and help you capture cleaner, more usable audio.

Getting Too Close Without Protection
As mentioned earlier, but is worth mentioning again, water and electronics don’t mix, so recording too close to the source without splash protection is a big risk. Not only could you damage your microphone, but water droplets can also distort your recordings. Using a windscreen, plastic cover, or even a DIY splash shield can help keep your gear safe while still getting you close enough for detail.

Ignoring the Background
Outdoor water recordings often come with extra baggage, birds chirping, distant traffic, wind, or people talking nearby. These sounds can easily creep into your recordings if you're not paying attention. Always monitor your environment before pressing record, and consider using directional microphones to better isolate your target sound.

Over processing the Audio
It can be tempting to “fix” your recordings in post with heavy EQ, compression, or noise reduction, but too much processing can kill the natural character of the sound. Water has its own dynamics and nuances that can get lost if over-edited. Aim to capture the cleanest possible recording at the source so you don’t have to rely heavily on post-production.

By steering clear of these common mistakes, you’ll get more consistent, professional sounding results, and spend less time troubleshooting and re-recording.

‍

‍Conclusion

Recording water is one of the most unpredictable, and rewarding elements to work with in sound design. Its range of textures, tones, and rhythms makes it endlessly versatile, whether you’re recording a single drop or a roaring ocean wave. The beauty lies in its unpredictability, no two takes will ever sound exactly the same, which opens up a world of creative possibilities.

Don’t be afraid to get hands-on when learning how to record water, experiment with different techniques, and even make a few mistakes along the way, that’s part of the process. With a bit of curiosity and a careful ear, you can capture water in ways that feel fresh, immersive, and uniquely yours.

We hope you found this blog both useful and inspiring. If you're aiming to achieve the kinds of water sounds we've explored, without the time, hassle, or mess of capturing them yourself, consider 344SFX’s Water In Motion. This professionally crafted bundle includes over 13.6GB of high-quality recordings and more than 1,600 individual sound effects, offering an extensive collection of water textures to suit any creative need. Inside, you’ll find splashes, rinses, pours, pops, bubbles, drips, bursts, swirls, emerges, submerges, waves, streams, rivers, you name it. Whether you're designing for film, games, or experimental sound art, Water In Motion delivers a complete toolkit for capturing the dynamic and expressive qualities of water with ease and precision.

Introduction

Over the past three decades Japanese animation, commonly known as ‘anime’ has grown in great popularity beyond Asia, evolving into one of the most admired and influential forms of global entertainment.

While anime shares certain traits with Western animation, it also carries a distinct identity shaped by its cultural roots. This is heavily appreciated within its sound design, as over the years anime has developed a distinct sonic style that blends a mixture of expressive voice acting and evocative music, with stylized and sometimes exaggerated sound effects, all becoming elements that are now synonymous with the genre.

In this article, we’ll explore the signature characteristics that define anime’s sound design, give examples of famous anime sound design, and how you can begin to recreate these captivating sounds in your own projects.

Opt For Exaggerated & Stylized Sounds As Opposed To Realism

Anime often gravitates toward high concept worlds and imaginative themes, even in stories set within relatively grounded or conventional settings. There’s almost always an element of fantasy, melodrama, or heightened reality woven into the creative fabric.

This method of stylization extends across all aspects of production, and sound design is no exception. Rather than striving for realism, anime frequently prioritizes the aesthetic quality of a sound and the emotional response it evokes. Effects are often exaggerated, carrying a distinct, sometimes cartoon-like character that aligns with the tone and visual language of the scene.

Gunshots provide a clear example. In Western productions, particularly Hollywood, gunfire is typically rendered with heavy, high fidelity audio to replicate real world acoustics. In contrast, examples of famous anime sound design often employ more stylized, synthetic sound layers, even when depicting conventional firearms. The goal isn’t authenticity, it's about impact and style.

This approach is also noticeable in other action elements, swooshes and exaggerated swipes punctuate punches, while swords often emit a theatrical “shing” as they’re drawn or swung, heightening drama and drawing the viewers focus to the hero.

Below is an iconic chase scene from Ghost In The Shell, which is a classic example of stylised anime sound design.

Utilise Both Synthetic and Organic Elements

A hallmark of anime's sound design is its distinctly synthetic quality, even when depicting everyday actions or objects such as a punch or gunshot. This stylistic trait can be traced back to the early days of anime production, when access to extensive sound libraries was limited. To compensate, sound designers often relied on synthesizers to craft unique audio textures from scratch.

To recreate a classic anime-style punch, try layering traditional impact sounds with synthesized elements. Adding a synthesized kick drum, tom, or other percussive tone can enhance the “snap” and give the effect that signature, satisfying punchiness anime is known for.

For mechanical, sci-fi, or weapon-based effects, modular and FM synthesis are particularly effective. These tools offer a broad palette of metallic tones and sonic textures. Techniques like ring modulation and pitch modulation can further shape the sound, adding movement, grit, and character that elevate the realism and intensity of the effect. 

This video is a perfect example of an anime scene switching from organic gunshots, to a more synthetic style.

Hidenori Arai - ‘The Power Up’

Another notable example of famous anime sound design is that of the super Saiyan power up within Dragonball Z, or which is sometimes referred to as ‘The Saiyan Aura’.

That all familiar electrifying, swirling aura, was crafted by sound designer Hidenori Arai using a blend of organic and synthetic elements. Notably, Arai revealed that the cyclical hum of the Super Saiyan aura was inspired by the sound of a fetal heartbeat recorded via ultrasound. He processed and layered this heartbeat to evoke a primal, subconscious resonance, connecting the transformation to a universal human experience. 

To enhance the energy and intensity of Goku's transformations, Arai used analog synthesizers to create layers of white noise, pitch modulation, and ring modulation. These techniques produced the signature rising tones and shimmering textures associated with power-ups.

Enhancing Your Sound with Filters and Tape Saturation

Much of the famous and classic anime sound design from the ’80s and ’90s owes its character to how effects were recorded. Whether organic or synthetic, many sounds were printed to tape, which naturally added warmth and color through tape saturation.

If you have access to tape gear, try recording your sounds before bringing them into your DAW. Tweaking playback speed or signal strength can yield some interesting textures.

For those working digitally, tape emulation plugins or subtle use of EQ and filtering can replicate that analog feel and help you capture the charm of vintage anime audio.

Tape emulation plugins:

Waves Kramer tape: https://www.waves.com/plugins/kramer-master-tape#eddie-kramer-on-the-kramer-master-tape

PSP Vintage Warmer 2: http://www.pspaudioware.com/plugins/dynamic_processors/psp_vintagewarmer2/

FabFilter Saturn 2: https://www.fabfilter.com/products/saturn-2-multiband-distortion-saturation-plug-in

Cliché Is a Good Thing

Anime often leans into sound effects that Western audiences might consider cliché, think playful bell chimes, exaggerated Mickey Mouse style cues, comedic zings for moments of embarrassment, and bold slapstick hits. Rather than avoiding these sounds, anime embraces them as a vital part of its expressive storytelling style.

This also ties into anime’s hyper-stylized approach to cuteness, or kawaii. Sound effects like popping bubbles, twinkling synths, and fizzy textures are all examples of famous anime sound design, and are frequently used to enhance cheerful or charming moments, especially with childlike or quirky characters.

When designing your own sounds, try stepping outside of the Western mindset. Don’t shy away from effects you might usually consider cheesy, cringey, or overused, they could be exactly what you need to capture that classic anime aesthetic.

Sometimes Simple Is Good

Due to the complexity of anime storylines and the often visually dense nature of each frame, anime tends to use sound effects in a more focused and deliberate way.

Rather than layering sounds over every action, as is common in western productions, anime sound design typically highlights key moments to avoid overwhelming the viewer. With so much happening visually, the sound is used sparingly to support, not compete with the animation.

Additionally, anime production is famously fast-paced and often constrained by tight budgets. As a result, sound designers frequently rely on large libraries of pre-existing, reliable effects instead of recording custom foley from scratch.

‍

We hope you enjoyed exploring the world of anime sound design!

‍

INTRODUCTION

For decades, sound has played a powerful role in storytelling - but often behind the scenes. From the early days of cinema to modern productions, the art of creating sound effects, especially Foley, has remained somewhat of a hidden craft. Most people don’t realise that much of what they hear in films, such as footsteps, rustling clothes, the creak of a door, has been carefully added during post-production.

Thankfully, Foley is now becoming widely recognised, and more creatives are diving into the world of sound design, and Foley recording.

But when you're just starting out and trying to build your own Foley prop library, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So, in this guide, we’ll share what we look for when gathering props, and how you can start building your own kit.

‍

SHOES

As a Foley artist, you’ll spend a lot of time recording footsteps, which means having a variety of footwear is key.

To start off, aim to collect at least one pair of each type of shoe:

• Trainers
• Dress Shoes
• Heels
• Boots
• Slippers
• Flip-Flops
• Sandals
• Pumps

Heeled shoes are often the trickiest to get just right, so gathering a range of thick, thin, high, low, round, square, and wedged styles will really help you get a wide variety of footstep tones. Once you’ve got one of each, you can begin expanding by collecting multiple versions of each type to explore different textures and characters.

Surfaces to consider walking on:
Tarmac, wooden boards, sand, pebbles, and concrete flags all create different textures. A great snow effect? Fill a pillowcase with cornflour and salt, then layer it over sand.

‍

CLOTH

Cloth movement may be subtle in a mix, but it’s essential to making a scene feel alive. Without it, something will feel oddly off, like there’s a gap you can’t quite put your finger on.

As with shoes, having a range of fabrics gives you flexibility. Useful materials include:

• Canvas
• Cotton
• Corduroy
• Denim
• Fleece
• Lace
• Leather
• Linen
• Nylon
• Polyester
• Satin
• Silk
• Tweed
• Velvet
• Wool

You can gather these in the form of shirts, trousers, coats, jackets, and jeans. Different thicknesses and styles will add more layers to your library.

We love keeping our cloth and smaller props organised in vintage suitcases, they’re not only practical but can be used as props themselves.

‍

PROPS

Prop needs change drastically depending on the scene. For example, in an office-based project, you might need:

• Computer mice and keyboards
• Desk phones and mobile devices
• Pens, paper, notepads
• Cardboard boxes and packaging
• Briefcases and backpacks
• Rolling chairs, especially leather ones

To avoid clutter, we recommend building your collection gradually, adding props as they’re needed. But some “Foley classics” are worth having on hand, including:

• A bag of cornflour (for crisp snow sounds)
• Celery (great for snapping bone effects)
• VHS tape (perfect for mimicking foliage)
• Door bolts and hinges
• Wooden pallets
• Halved coconuts (you know the one...horse hooves!)
• Gloves with paperclips (for pet footsteps)
• A paddling pool for water recordings
• And a personal favourite: a chamois cloth, perfect for sticky, wet textures

On our own Foley stage, you’ll also find boxing gloves (for body hits or falls), hot water bottles, and an array of tools and hardware to create impactful sounds.

Your Foley prop library will always be a work in progress. What you collect depends entirely on the scenes you work on, but the tips above should help you find your footing.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article.

Want to skip the recording and get straight to the good stuff? Check out our FANTASTIC FOLEY library, packed with authentic, ready-to-use foley recordings from a wide array of fabrics, materials, objects, tools, clothing, and much more.

INTRODUCTION

Whether you're a local or just passing through, the UK is home to some truly distinctive sounds that reflect its culture, history, and everyday life. Here are five iconic sounds you’re likely to encounter only in the UK.

‍

THE CHIMES OF BIG BEN

First ringing in 1859, Big Ben is the most famous of the five bells housed in the Elizabeth Tower at the northern end of the Palace of Westminster in London. Often mistakenly called the "Clock Tower," this iconic structure is one of Britain’s most visited landmarks. The deep, resonant chimes of Big Ben are instantly recognizable - and uniquely British.

‍

Wood Pigeon Cooing

The wood pigeon is the UK’s most common garden pigeon, known for its soft, rhythmic cooing. This gentle, repetitive sound is a familiar part of Britain’s natural soundscape and a soothing background noise in parks, towns, and countryside alike.

‍

Football Chants

If there’s one sound that captures the heart of British sporting culture, it’s the roar of football chants echoing through stadiums. While each club has its own unique songs and chants, the tradition is widespread and known globally. British football fans are some of the most passionate in the world, and their iconic chants are a soundtrack to the sport.

‍

UK Police Sirens

Emergency sirens differ across the globe, and the UK’s are no exception. While the classic “nee-naw” has mostly faded out, modern British police now use sirens that resemble American-style wails, yelps, and phasers. Operating within a frequency range of 1kHz to 3kHz - where the human ear is most sensitive. These sirens are a familiar sound on UK roads.

‍

London Underground Soundscape

No trip to London is complete without experiencing the sounds of the Underground Tube. From the screech of train brakes on the Jubilee Line’s 1966 stock, to the famous “Mind the Gap” announcements and the hum of packed carriages, the London Underground has a sound all its own—chaotic, rhythmic, and unmistakably urban. You will not experience this particular sound scape in any other part of the world.

‍

Thanks for reading! Curious to hear more, and utilise these iconic sounds in your projects? Check out our library bundles of immersive UK AMBIENCES and UK FOOTBALL.

‍