Game Audio Podcast

I have recently stumbled on this great podcast that goes in depth into the world of game audio.
Here is what the creators had to say about their project:


"The general premise of the Game Audio Podcast is to provide an entertaining perspective into our little corner of the world, and shed some light on the challenges we’re all facing through discussion topics, industry related news, the game audio showroom, gear news, and special guests.

The idea came from discussions that get started at conventions, in sessions, on forums, and in chat rooms throughout the year. Often we would find ourselves talking with peers about general concepts, techniques, creative solutions to limitations…and we found that, for us, it wasn’t enough to just touch base once and awhile and throw around our experiences and opinions.

Our goal is to extend some of those conversations and share the idea’s and thoughts that come from mixing up a diverse group of professionals and engage them in a topical discussion.

Our first Episode was launched in late November and Episode 2 has just launched last week, and we plan on delivering new episodes every 2-4 weeks.
We are eager to develop and continue a dialog with the community, and we hope to provide a valuable resource for people interested in Game Audio.

Website:
http://www.gameaudiopodcast.com

iTunes Link:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=341787581&subMediaType=Audio

Episode #1 Details:

- Special Guest: Carsten Rojahn - Ignition Entertainment - Sound Designer
- Discussion: Sound Design vs Integration
- PlayRoom – Uncharted 2

Episode #2 Details:

- Special Guests:
Julian Kwasneski - Bay Area Sound - Audio Director
David Steinwedel - 2k Marin - Senior Sound Designer
Kenneth Young - Media Molecule - Audio Director

-Discussion: Footsteps & Foley – Design and Integration
-Sound of the week: Stuka Dive Bomber
-Play Room: Battlefield 1943

Episode #3 Details:

-Special Guests:
TBD

-Discussion: Interactive and Dynamic Music


About the creators:
Anton Woldhek is a graduate from the Utrecht School for the Arts where he focused on sound and music technology. His passion for games and sound eventually led him to the area of interactive audio for games. Anton got his first real world experience working for Jamey Scott of Dramatic Audio Inc. He was involved with the creation of sound for Killzone2. Anton is currently a Sound Designer employed at Guerrila Games in the Netherlands.

Damian Kastbauer is a freelance Technical Sound Designer working with the Bay Area Sound Department pulling off cool implementation tricks and spreading the word about interactive audio.


Sincerely,
Anton Woldhek and Damian Kastbauer
Game Audio Podcast Founders "

I seriously recommend anyone somehow related to game audio to check this out.It is unbelievably informational and educational.

Online Hearing test

A great on line equal loudness contours test.
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html

See the sound-Cymatics

Cymatics is the study of visual sound and vibration(this is done by exciting particles or liquids with sound).Everyone who is in anyway related to sound should see this at least once.
Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9GBf8y0lY0.
And for those of you interested in the HOW the community of Cymatics is a great site to check out http://www.cymatics.co.uk

Blastwave Labs

Blastwave Labs

Great blog created by BlastWave Labs,developers of sound effects libraries for audio production.Besides the useful info,they have,from time to time,sound design competitions(the prizes are great!) and also one can download free packs of SFX.

Audio Engineering Society

Most of us know them already,but every student and newbie in the world of audio should take serious note of this site.This is a very active society that often provides conferences and conventions all across the world. Their site offers information for both students and professionals.There are also recording contests for students(never hurts to give it a shot).To top it all off- numerous tutorials and technical papers for the nerd in all of us.Oh and did I mention the magic words-job board?
Check them out at www.aes.org
Or at their youtube page http://www.youtube.com/AESorg

P.S..The deadline for the 128th Student Recording Competition is April 15,2010

VFS Sound Design Program

Located in Vancouver,BC(Canada) this school is becoming more and more known world wide.And rightly so-it somehow manages to pump out with incredible speed highly creative and capable of work people. Each program at the school is 12 months long with minimal breaks(4 days between terms). Think it's easy?You are very very wrong. The school definitely puts you through the grinder and there are,of course,every term a few "fallen soldiers" who suddenly realize that the tempo of the entertainment industry is not for them. Having personally gone through two different programs at this school,I am very happy that I have done so.
The Sound Design for Visual Media Program is amazing. The teachers are great,the equipment is breathtaking(yes,I am that nerdy),the curriculum is relevant. Both game and film audio are taught. There are four mix labs available and a mix theater,several ADR and foley stages. Basically this program will take you as far as you are willing to go-they will give you the tools and knowledge necessary,now all you need to do is sweat your rear off.At the end of the year you graduate with a diploma and a fairly big sound library. Check them out at www.vfs.com

P.S.When the advisors through at you something about how beautiful Vancouver is,please be advised that while it is a beautiful city,one can truly appreciate this beauty only 4 months out of the year,as the rest of the time it is wet and grey.

Oh,Mandy...

A great site on the global film market. Imagine an international yellowpages married to the international classifieds... for free (keyword). Did you imagine it?Isn't it a beautiful thing?Well,we think so anyways...
Check it out at www.mandy.com