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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: ch_123 on Sat, 26 March 2011, 15:11:59

Title: Typing noises dubbed over in films?
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 26 March 2011, 15:11:59
Has anyone ever noticed that when people are typing on rubber dome keyboards in films, that they magically sound like buckling springs or Alps? Or during close ups, the sound doesn't line up with the people pressing the keys on the keyboard? Presumably it's to enhance the dramatic effect, just interesting to note that they go to that extent.
Title: Typing noises dubbed over in films?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Sat, 26 March 2011, 16:13:46
Quote from: ch_123;319067
Has anyone ever noticed that when people are typing on rubber dome keyboards in films, that they magically sound like buckling springs or Alps? Or during close ups, the sound doesn't line up with the people pressing the keys on the keyboard? Presumably it's to enhance the dramatic effect, just interesting to note that they go to that extent.


There's also the stereotypical computer beeping for when the computer is "processing" things.
Here's a corny example from CSI stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX_i2vhnVKQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX_i2vhnVKQ)

It always irritated me.

You know what's funny? It would probably be easier/cheaper just to go to a thrift shop and pick up a Model M, instead of doing some dubbing effects.
Title: Typing noises dubbed over in films?
Post by: quadibloc on Mon, 28 March 2011, 00:20:08
Quote from: EverythingIBM;319111
You know what's funny? It would probably be easier/cheaper just to go to a thrift shop and pick up a Model M, instead of doing some dubbing effects.
The thrift shops have pretty much run out of Model Ms right now, it seems from here. I got mine while the getting was good and no one else wanted them.

But I'm amazed that they're dubbing in buckling springs or ALPS. What with Hollywood, I'd have expected them to dub in an electric typewriter (maybe with the volume reduced) or even an ASR 33 teletype or an IBM 29 keypunch.
Title: Typing noises dubbed over in films?
Post by: Lanx on Mon, 28 March 2011, 09:07:01
i think this is just a case of the sound guys using the same sound bite from history, such as this, the same scream...
Title: Typing noises dubbed over in films?
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 28 March 2011, 09:13:03
Quote from: ch_123;319067
Has anyone ever noticed that when people are typing on rubber dome keyboards in films, that they magically sound like buckling springs or Alps? Or during close ups, the sound doesn't line up with the people pressing the keys on the keyboard? Presumably it's to enhance the dramatic effect, just interesting to note that they go to that extent.


My favorite example of this is in the show Criminal Minds.  Penelope Garcia, the "techie," uses a roll-up, silicone 'board in the show that sounds like an ALPS or something.
Title: Typing noises dubbed over in films?
Post by: Peter on Mon, 28 March 2011, 09:24:29
Quote from: EverythingIBM;319111
You know what's funny? It would probably be easier/cheaper just to go to a thrift shop and pick up a Model M, instead of doing some dubbing effects.

No it wouldn't and incidentally that is also why they don't .
It's often easier to 'design' a sound than it is to capture the real thing
'on tape' .. Furthermore, the designed sound will often sound more realistic than the real thing !
Where I live we even have a government-approved education
for these people, 'Tone-Mester', translates to something like 'Tone-Master' .
You can either take a 2 year (full-time) candidate-grade or a 3 year (full-time) bachelor ..
And on top of that, you can spend another year and specialize !