Asbjoern Andersen


The art of field recording has been around for ages, but now, Halfdan Auðrifýur and Ingi Hjálmtýr – two Icelandic sound designers – are looking to fundamentally change how sound effects are created. Their method involves technology, location and cunning – and I spoke with Ingi Hjálmtýr about the ambitious duo’s fascinating undertaking. NB: Please note the posting date :)
 

Just what is wrong with sound effects these days?

There’s nothing wrong with sound effects per se – but a few years ago we realized that hearing the same old recordings over and over again was simply getting too much. Everyone uses the same sound effect libraries, and frankly, they’re getting REALLY long in the tooth. So I joined forces with Halfdan Auðrifýur to create the LiveSFX plugin.
 

What exactly is the LiveSFX plugin?

It’s a plugin that, in our humble opinion, can change the very understanding of what a sound effect is.

When you think about it, most sound effect libraries these days are all recordings of stuff like wind, birds, water sounds etc. They’re all the same. And they’re old. So what if you want something a bit fresher – something truly unique? What if someone could get you those sounds, recorded LIVE as you needed them?

That’s exactly what our LiveSFX plugin is all about.

We’ve spent the last three years building a complex, yet intuitive system that connects DAWs running the plugin directly with our team of field recordists (Auðrifýur and myself), live on Iceland. You tell us what you need – through the plugin -, and we’ll be out there, recording it real-time and sending it back via email.

But why Iceland? Well, A) because we live here, and B) think about those wind sounds etc I mentioned earlier. What would be a great – LIVE – source for all those? That’s right. Iceland.

We’ve got hot springs for bubbly sounds

We’ve got lots of shoreline, we’ve got wind, we’ve got hot springs for bubbly sounds, sea lions for Chewbacca sounds – and even volcanoes, for when you need those crazy explosions.
 

So what’s your process?

The process is actually quite simple, at least for the end-user: Using the plugin’s UI and a microphone, you simply shout the name of the sound you’re looking for; ‘EAGLE!’, for example. This request is then beamed up to our Reykjavík HQ, where we swiftly engage our entire team of field recordists (Auðrifýur and myself).

Finding an eagle is the easy part

Finding an eagle is the easy part

In response, we promptly throw our recording equipment in the 4WD, drive around the island and do our very best to track down a fitting source. Once we find our target eagle, we start recording while you listen in.

If you need it to cry a bit louder – or just differently -, you simply tell that to the field recordist on the scene, via the plugin. He’ll then try to direct, or “coach”, the eagle accordingly.

The field recordist also comes carrying speakers, so you can talk directly to your target via the plugin, in case that works better.

We haven’t actually gotten this bit to work quite yet – but we envision that, using a combination of praise, scolding and reason, you’ll be able to almost “play” targets like the eagle, as a kind of living virtual instrument.

The recorded sounds are then sent directly to your email in real-time, ready to be used in the project you’re working on. Simple as that.


Popular on A Sound Effect right now - article continues below:


Trending right now:

  • Strident and Demonic

    Expand the timbre of your horror violins and cellos with CIRCUS, a sinister sample pack featuring 180 WAV sounds of screeching or high-pitched string noises, perfect for horror music and dark sound design.

    Creative Tension

    This collection offers a curated selection of screeches, high-tension tremolo, heavy jeté strokes, dark demonic textures, finger patterns, chaotic string elements, clock loops and bow accents.

    Haunting and Experimental

    Create haunting atmospheres, perfect for horror, thriller or experimental soundtracks. Every element has been designed to unsettle and disturb, blurring the line between music and noise.

  • ⏰ For a very limited time:
    Add this library to the cart and enter ah4launch in the cart coupon field – to sprinkle an extra launch discount, on top of the current discount!

    Animal Hyperrealism Vol IV is a sound library containing animal vocalisations, from real to designed creatures totaling more than 2000 individual sounds in 294 files. The sounds were recorded in zoos, and wildlife centers.

    The asset list includes but is not limited to: hippos, hyenas, vultures, dwarf mongooses, elephants, African cranes, parrots, tigers, pigmy hippos, rhea ostriches, brown bears, pheasants, wildebeests, African wild dogs and many more. The content has been recorded at 192KHz with a Sanken CO100K, an Avisoft CMPA and a Sennheiser 8050 for center plus two Sennheiser MKH8040 for stereo image.

    The resulting ultrasonic spectrum is rich and allows for truly extreme manipulation of the content.

    15 %
    OFF
  • Animal Sound Effects Collections Animal Hyperrealism Vol I Play Track 290+ sounds included $180

    Animal Hyperrealism Vol I is a library containing sounds themed animal vocalisations, from real to designed creatures totaling more than 1300 individual sounds in 290 files.

    The sounds were partly recorded with animals trained for media production, partly recorded in zoos and wildlife centers. The asset list includes but is not limited to: african lions, bengal tigers, horses, donkeys, cows, exotic birds, owls, bobcats, pumas, dromedaries, wolves, dogs, geese, lemurs, gibbons and many more.

    All the content has been recorded at 192KHz with a Sanken CO100K plus a Sennheiser 8050 for center image and a couple of Sennheiser MKH8040 for stereo image. All files are delivered as stereo bounce of these four mics, though in some instances an additional couple of CO100K was added to the sides.

    The resulting ultrasonic spectrum is rich and allows for truly extreme manipulation of the content.

    Bonus: Two extra libraries included for free:
    This library also includes two additional releases from Mattia Cellotto - for free: Crunch Mode delivers 230 crunchy sounds made with a variety of vegetables, fresh bread, pizza crust and a selection of frozen goods. The Borax Experiment gets you 158 squishy, gory, slimy and gooey sounds.
  • Animal Sound Effects Animal Hyperrealism Vol III Play Track 1711 sounds included $180

    Animal Hyperrealism Vol III is a library containing sounds themed animal vocalisations, from real to designed creatures totaling more than 1700 individual sounds in 279 files.

    The sounds were recorded in zoos and wildlife centers. The asset list includes but is not limited to: european red deers, monkeys, reindeers, hornbills camels, crickets, tamarins, boars, frogs, red ruffed lemurs, parrots, and many more.

    The content has been recorded at 192KHz with a Sanken CO100K plus a Sennheiser 8050 for center image and a couple of Sennheiser MKH8040 for stereo image.
    Part of the cheats section of the library features samples recorded at 384KHz. For these sounds an additional microphone was employed, specifically the CMPA by Avisoft-Bioacoustics which records up to 200 KHz. This microphone was used to record most of the library but the 384KHz format was preserved only where energy was found beyond 96KHz not to occupy unnecessary disk space.
    All files are delivered as stereo bounce of these for mics, though in some instances an additional couple of CO100K was added to the sides.
    The resulting ultrasonic spectrum is rich and allows for truly extreme manipulation of the content.

    Bonus: Two extra libraries included for free:
    This library also includes two additional releases from Mattia Cellotto - for free: Crunch Mode delivers 230 crunchy sounds made with a variety of vegetables, fresh bread, pizza crust and a selection of frozen goods. The Borax Experiment gets you 158 squishy, gory, slimy and gooey sounds.

Latest releases:

  • Horror Sound Effects Sinister Textures 5 Play Track 300 sounds included, 5 mins total $20

    We follow up vol 1-4 with the 5th instalment of the Sinister Series

    We wanted more organic scratches in our library, so we decided to get to work and record a variety of objects such as
    Finger Nails, Fake Finger Nails, Metal Pipes, Screws, Coins, and we scraped them against different surfaces like
    Cladding, Concrete, Door Mat, Laminate, Plastic, Wood, Tile, Various Fabrics

    Creating some organic Scratch and Scrapes, these can be left organic or you can redesign these sounds to create some Eerie, Scary, Horrorfull and down right Sinister scratch and scrape sounds which can be used across horror, thriller or suspense projects to create tension, impact and jump scares.

    Sinister Textures 5 will give you enough audio to give your project the authentic sound of Sinister Scratching and Scrapes, boosting your project to the next level. Sinister Textures 5 has been edited to allow a drop in ready and Royalty Free sample pack. These Samples can be used in a variety of projects from Sound Designing/Compositions for TV, Film, Documentaries and Video Games. UCS Compliant and Metadata is attached to the samples.

  • Car Sound Effects Large Family Cars Play Track 2433 sounds included, 403 mins total $250

    Compilation of 10 different large family cars. Sounds are recorded 192kHz, 32bit with RØDE NTG1, RØDELink Lav, Line Audio Omni1, Shure KSM137, Shure VP88, Sonorous Objects SO.3, FEL Pluggy XLR EM272 and FEL Clippy XLR EM272 microphones, Sound Devices MixPre-6 II and Zoom F3 recorders. Library contains wav files of driving, interior and exterior foley, mechanical and electrical sounds.

  • Hybrid Game & UI Elements by Cinematic Sound Design delivers a versatile, high-impact sound effects library crafted to enhance your games, apps, interfaces, and multimedia projects. From satisfying button clicks and menu confirmations to dynamic game events and foley, this collection transforms every interaction into a polished, immersive experience. Inside this library, you’ll find over 250 hand-designed sounds, including UI feedback tones, notification pings, success and error alerts, interface swipes, menu transitions, foley hits, game triggers and more..

    Each sound is meticulously recorded, layered, and processed for clarity, punch, and adaptability across any platform or device. Whether you’re designing a mobile app, building a game interface, or producing interactive media, Hybrid Game & UI Elements ensures your project feels responsive, engaging, and professional. With carefully balanced dynamics and optimized mixes, this library provides the perfect blend of functionality and excitement, making every click, swipe, and in-game event satisfying and memorable. Elevate your UI interactions and game experiences with sounds designed to deliver precision, impact, and a touch of cinematic flair.

    20 %
    OFF
  • “Colossal Impacts” is a powerhouse sound library built to deliver crushing force and cinematic weight to your projects. Designed for trailers, games, film, and any production demanding larger-than-life energy, this collection brings the raw intensity of massive strikes, explosive hits, and earth-shaking slams right to your sound palette.

    Inside, you’ll find an arsenal of meticulously designed audio ranging from thunderous booms, metallic crashes, and bone-rattling smashes to resonant sub drops, heavy stomps, and shattering debris. Each sound is crafted for clarity and impact, layering deep low-end power with crisp mid and high frequencies to ensure they cut through any mix while still delivering body-shaking presence.

    Whether you need to punctuate a cinematic reveal, emphasize a game boss encounter, or inject explosive energy into a trailer, Colossal Impacts provides versatile tools that adapt effortlessly to any genre. From dark and tense rumbling hits to sharp, aggressive slams, these sounds are designed to grip attention and elevate storytelling.

    Product Details:

    • 103 Designed Cinematic Impacts
    • 100% Royalty-Free
    • 24-Bit/96kHz

    23 %
    OFF
  • “System & UI Feedback Elements” is a massive sound library packed with over 200 dynamic audio elements designed to give life, energy, and clarity to your projects. From polished notification dings, confetti bursts, celebratory rewards and more, this versatile collection covers a wide spectrum of sounds perfectly suited for apps, games, websites, and multimedia productions.

    Inside, you’ll discover an eclectic range of professionally crafted effects: warm clicks, futuristic confirms, arcade-inspired coin wins, soft foley textures, mechanical switches, sparkles, zippers, and a lot more. Every file has been carefully mastered for balance and transparency, ensuring that whether you’re designing a mobile interface, building a game level, or editing motion graphics, the sounds will sit seamlessly in your mix.

    This library bridges functionality with creativity. You can emphasize success and progression with achievement tones, create tension with horror drones, or enrich user feedback with subtle tactile clicks and natural textures. Each sound is optimized to deliver instant recognition and emotional punch, from playful blops to majestic chimes.

    Give your projects a professional edge, captivate your audience, and transform ordinary interactions into memorable experiences with System & UI Feedback Elements.

    Product Details:

    • 229 Interface Sounds
    • 100% Royalty-Free
    • 24-Bit/96kHz

    17 %
    OFF
Need specific sound effects? Try a search below:


How about the pricing?

To us, it’s not the duration or number of sounds that matter. We simply charge by the distance we need to travel to get you a particular sound. Say you need a recording of an Atlantic Puffin, and we need to drive 3 kilometers to get that. That’ll be three dollars, then.
 

Does your system always work?

Halfdan Auðrifýur does some amazing bird impressions, and his elk sounds are simply breathtaking.

Well, if it’s really lousy weather, we’d rather stay in, to be honest. Halfdan Auðrifýur does some amazing bird impressions, and his elk sounds are simply breathtaking.
Personally, I’m quite the expert at imitating the sound of glass. We use those as fall-back sounds when we’re in a tight spot, or if it rains too hard.

 

What’s next for your project?
an A.F. Drone with Very Long Boom and WHA Tech installed.

An early prototype of an A.F. Drone with Very Long Boom and WHA Tech installed. This could be the future of field recording

We’ll likely go open source with the project around April 1st next year – and through that platform, we want to create a global army of field recordists that can be dispatched within minutes anywhere in the world.

Also, space is a goal for us. There’s a huge market for sci-fi sounds in movies and games, so having having one or several recordists out there doing live recording is obviously a no-brainer.

Long-term, we’d like to get rid of the human element altogether and simply replace the recordists with drones. And, using a device called an A.F.D., or ‘Autonomous Field Drone’, experiments are already well underway.

 


Thanks to Ingi Hjálmtýr and Halfdan Auðrifýur for sharing their insights. The LiveSFX VST plugin will go into beta next month – and as mentioned, there are plans to make it open source, allowing field recordists everywhere to take full advantage of their local surroundings and wildlife.

 

Please share this:


 



 
 
THE WORLD’S EASIEST WAY TO GET INDEPENDENT SOUND EFFECTS:
 
A Sound Effect gives you easy access to an absolutely huge sound effects catalog from a myriad of independent sound creators, all covered by one license agreement - a few highlights:

  • Strident and Demonic

    Expand the timbre of your horror violins and cellos with CIRCUS, a sinister sample pack featuring 180 WAV sounds of screeching or high-pitched string noises, perfect for horror music and dark sound design.

    Creative Tension

    This collection offers a curated selection of screeches, high-tension tremolo, heavy jeté strokes, dark demonic textures, finger patterns, chaotic string elements, clock loops and bow accents.

    Haunting and Experimental

    Create haunting atmospheres, perfect for horror, thriller or experimental soundtracks. Every element has been designed to unsettle and disturb, blurring the line between music and noise.

  • ⏰ For a very limited time:
    Add this library to the cart and enter ah4launch in the cart coupon field – to sprinkle an extra launch discount, on top of the current discount!

    Animal Hyperrealism Vol IV is a sound library containing animal vocalisations, from real to designed creatures totaling more than 2000 individual sounds in 294 files. The sounds were recorded in zoos, and wildlife centers.

    The asset list includes but is not limited to: hippos, hyenas, vultures, dwarf mongooses, elephants, African cranes, parrots, tigers, pigmy hippos, rhea ostriches, brown bears, pheasants, wildebeests, African wild dogs and many more. The content has been recorded at 192KHz with a Sanken CO100K, an Avisoft CMPA and a Sennheiser 8050 for center plus two Sennheiser MKH8040 for stereo image.

    The resulting ultrasonic spectrum is rich and allows for truly extreme manipulation of the content.

    15 %
    OFF
  • Animal Sound Effects Collections Animal Hyperrealism Vol I Play Track 290+ sounds included $180

    Animal Hyperrealism Vol I is a library containing sounds themed animal vocalisations, from real to designed creatures totaling more than 1300 individual sounds in 290 files.

    The sounds were partly recorded with animals trained for media production, partly recorded in zoos and wildlife centers. The asset list includes but is not limited to: african lions, bengal tigers, horses, donkeys, cows, exotic birds, owls, bobcats, pumas, dromedaries, wolves, dogs, geese, lemurs, gibbons and many more.

    All the content has been recorded at 192KHz with a Sanken CO100K plus a Sennheiser 8050 for center image and a couple of Sennheiser MKH8040 for stereo image. All files are delivered as stereo bounce of these four mics, though in some instances an additional couple of CO100K was added to the sides.

    The resulting ultrasonic spectrum is rich and allows for truly extreme manipulation of the content.

    Bonus: Two extra libraries included for free:
    This library also includes two additional releases from Mattia Cellotto - for free: Crunch Mode delivers 230 crunchy sounds made with a variety of vegetables, fresh bread, pizza crust and a selection of frozen goods. The Borax Experiment gets you 158 squishy, gory, slimy and gooey sounds.
Explore the full, unique collection here

Latest sound effects libraries:
 
  • Horror Sound Effects Sinister Textures 5 Play Track 300 sounds included, 5 mins total $20

    We follow up vol 1-4 with the 5th instalment of the Sinister Series

    We wanted more organic scratches in our library, so we decided to get to work and record a variety of objects such as
    Finger Nails, Fake Finger Nails, Metal Pipes, Screws, Coins, and we scraped them against different surfaces like
    Cladding, Concrete, Door Mat, Laminate, Plastic, Wood, Tile, Various Fabrics

    Creating some organic Scratch and Scrapes, these can be left organic or you can redesign these sounds to create some Eerie, Scary, Horrorfull and down right Sinister scratch and scrape sounds which can be used across horror, thriller or suspense projects to create tension, impact and jump scares.

    Sinister Textures 5 will give you enough audio to give your project the authentic sound of Sinister Scratching and Scrapes, boosting your project to the next level. Sinister Textures 5 has been edited to allow a drop in ready and Royalty Free sample pack. These Samples can be used in a variety of projects from Sound Designing/Compositions for TV, Film, Documentaries and Video Games. UCS Compliant and Metadata is attached to the samples.

  • Car Sound Effects Large Family Cars Play Track 2433 sounds included, 403 mins total $250

    Compilation of 10 different large family cars. Sounds are recorded 192kHz, 32bit with RØDE NTG1, RØDELink Lav, Line Audio Omni1, Shure KSM137, Shure VP88, Sonorous Objects SO.3, FEL Pluggy XLR EM272 and FEL Clippy XLR EM272 microphones, Sound Devices MixPre-6 II and Zoom F3 recorders. Library contains wav files of driving, interior and exterior foley, mechanical and electrical sounds.

  • Hybrid Game & UI Elements by Cinematic Sound Design delivers a versatile, high-impact sound effects library crafted to enhance your games, apps, interfaces, and multimedia projects. From satisfying button clicks and menu confirmations to dynamic game events and foley, this collection transforms every interaction into a polished, immersive experience. Inside this library, you’ll find over 250 hand-designed sounds, including UI feedback tones, notification pings, success and error alerts, interface swipes, menu transitions, foley hits, game triggers and more..

    Each sound is meticulously recorded, layered, and processed for clarity, punch, and adaptability across any platform or device. Whether you’re designing a mobile app, building a game interface, or producing interactive media, Hybrid Game & UI Elements ensures your project feels responsive, engaging, and professional. With carefully balanced dynamics and optimized mixes, this library provides the perfect blend of functionality and excitement, making every click, swipe, and in-game event satisfying and memorable. Elevate your UI interactions and game experiences with sounds designed to deliver precision, impact, and a touch of cinematic flair.

    20 %
    OFF
  • “Colossal Impacts” is a powerhouse sound library built to deliver crushing force and cinematic weight to your projects. Designed for trailers, games, film, and any production demanding larger-than-life energy, this collection brings the raw intensity of massive strikes, explosive hits, and earth-shaking slams right to your sound palette.

    Inside, you’ll find an arsenal of meticulously designed audio ranging from thunderous booms, metallic crashes, and bone-rattling smashes to resonant sub drops, heavy stomps, and shattering debris. Each sound is crafted for clarity and impact, layering deep low-end power with crisp mid and high frequencies to ensure they cut through any mix while still delivering body-shaking presence.

    Whether you need to punctuate a cinematic reveal, emphasize a game boss encounter, or inject explosive energy into a trailer, Colossal Impacts provides versatile tools that adapt effortlessly to any genre. From dark and tense rumbling hits to sharp, aggressive slams, these sounds are designed to grip attention and elevate storytelling.

    Product Details:

    • 103 Designed Cinematic Impacts
    • 100% Royalty-Free
    • 24-Bit/96kHz

    23 %
    OFF
  • “System & UI Feedback Elements” is a massive sound library packed with over 200 dynamic audio elements designed to give life, energy, and clarity to your projects. From polished notification dings, confetti bursts, celebratory rewards and more, this versatile collection covers a wide spectrum of sounds perfectly suited for apps, games, websites, and multimedia productions.

    Inside, you’ll discover an eclectic range of professionally crafted effects: warm clicks, futuristic confirms, arcade-inspired coin wins, soft foley textures, mechanical switches, sparkles, zippers, and a lot more. Every file has been carefully mastered for balance and transparency, ensuring that whether you’re designing a mobile interface, building a game level, or editing motion graphics, the sounds will sit seamlessly in your mix.

    This library bridges functionality with creativity. You can emphasize success and progression with achievement tones, create tension with horror drones, or enrich user feedback with subtle tactile clicks and natural textures. Each sound is optimized to deliver instant recognition and emotional punch, from playful blops to majestic chimes.

    Give your projects a professional edge, captivate your audience, and transform ordinary interactions into memorable experiences with System & UI Feedback Elements.

    Product Details:

    • 229 Interface Sounds
    • 100% Royalty-Free
    • 24-Bit/96kHz

    17 %
    OFF

   

3 thoughts on “Here’s how two Icelandic sound designers could change sound effects – forever

  1. Hmmm… I’m all for recording new sounds as often as possible, though as anyone who records sound in the field knows, the best sound you record on a field trip is rarely the sound you thought you went there to record. In other words, the accidental encounters with sounds are usually the best encounters. The downside is that those sounds, cool as they are, are often not useful on the current project. So they are not valuable to the project that hired you to make the field trip. Another problem I have with this model for getting sound effects is that “freshness” is a nice characteristic in a sound, but it is not the only, and maybe not even the most important characteristic. Filling your project with “brand new” sounds is fine, but if they are brand new mediocre, not particularly interesting, or noisy sounds… that’s not so fine. Most of the sounds we record in the field are not full of life, and they aren’t particularly evocative. Only a few have magic. We gradually acquire those year by year, and we often find unexpected and fresh ways to use them.

    Let’s say I ask you to go record an eagle for me tomorrow. With some luck you can find an eagle. With some luck the eagle will vocalize. With some luck that vocal won’t be obliterated by wind, rain, another bird, etc. With an incredible amount of luck that vocal will be the kind of vocal actually need for the project.

    Basically my point is that field recording of sounds is ALWAYS unpredictable. Being in Iceland, or at a Ranch in northern California, doesn’t guarantee anything except that there will probably be fewer ambient noise problems than there would be in an urban area. But it could be windy, or rainy, or undesirable flocks of birds or swarms of insects may interfere. Sure, go out to the ice field and try to record the eagle for me, but I expect you’ll tell me the best sound you got was the demonically squealing fan belt on the old Land Cruiser you encountered at the gas station. And unfortunately, I don’t need that sound for my film.

    Best,
    Randy

  2. Goodness gracious… I was reading this today and I was a way through the article when I realized, “How can this be profitable at $1/km?” HAHAHAHA.

    Might be sci-fi now, but just like people are readily using hobbyist quadcopter drone cameras to take impressive videos and panoramas, many sounds could be cultivated from those environs! Even the thought of taking robots into environmentally hazardous areas to record unique ambience.

    And to have Randy Thom weigh in too… what a day!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

HTML tags are not allowed.