A recorded effect is a sound that has been recorded elsewhere, and maybe mixed, cut, spliced, or otherwise edited to create the final recorded effect. This can then be played to give extra depth to a play, or to highlight something that is happening in that play (like rain, or other athmospheric effects.

In some places, people still edit their sound effects using analogue methods (actual tape, which needs splicing, mixing done by playing two sources, and recording onto a new tape).

Others use newer, digital methods (recording onto computer, and editing the waveform using a piece of software on that computer).

There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods. Fans of analogue editing say that the quality is much higher than digital, and people who work with digital a lot say that the quality won't degrade over time, and that it is a lot easier to edit accurately.


If you're after any other theatre tech information, then do take a look at 'Everything you ever wanted to know about theatre tech, but were afraid to ask'

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