How to Add Soft Roundness (Prettiness) To Sound FX?

Question

I have a question that’s been boggling my mind for a long time. How do people create those puffy, soft, airy elegant sounds in mobile games?

I’m not sure how else to explain them, but it’s almost like a round/softness to every hard or impact fx I hear..Explosions, gun shots, crashes etc.

Games that come to mind:

• Boom Beach
• Clash of clans
• Angry birds
• Fruit Ninja
• Game of War

I'm not working with a ton of gear.

Field recorders: DR40 and Fostex Fr2 Le

Mics: AT4040, MXL 603s (pair), Ntg1

Logic X, Ozone 5

Any miking/mixing tips to achieve a similar sound would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

I'm not sure exactly what you mean since there are no examples provided. Although, I believe what you are talking about can be achieved through using a Low Pass Filter that cuts out all of the high frequency content in whatever sound (explosion/boom/crash) you are trying to process. The extremely high frequency content of the sound, anything 15kHz+, is really not necessary for many types of sounds, especially explosion/boom/crash where most of the content is taking place in the lower frequencies. By cutting out the high frequencies you will be making it less bright and more muffled in a way. Another technique is to process the sound with reverb as this will "set it back" and not make it so present and harsh.

Answer 2

I'm afraid there is no wonder button here. Five more or less general points come to my mind:

• Good sources: Only use high quality source samples. Don't be afraid to use synthetic sounds.
• Exaggerated realism: If a real chicken sounds too boring, spice it up somehow
• Spectral balance: Make sure all the different samples eq-wise sounds like the same production - and make sure they're mastered for general purpose (perhaps with a bias toward the primary medium, e.q. smartphones).
• Dynamic balance: Make sure all samples are roughly equal in volume and use e.q. a shared multiband comp and limiter lightly to even out volume. Use a parallel comp to ensure that sound don't get too low (careful as this may bring up noise).
• Add signature FX: Find a shared "sound" e.g. a mild short reverb, slap delay, tiny bit of chorus etc. Something to give it a distinguished sound. This may also be exciters, octavers, bass enhancers and what not. It may also add a more synthetic and soft feel to it all.