AcoustFX - Acoustical effects 

AcoustFX is a collection of acoustical special effects and percussive instruments for live  performance accompaniment. The accent lies on effects and sounds that need critical timing like spot effects and percussion. Due to split second timing these sounds are more difficult to generate with an electronic keyboard. This adds the visual aspect of the operator producing the (sometimes funny or weird) noises and sounds in full view of the audience in stead of some invisible technical booth out of view. This adds an interesting visual element to the show for the spectator. All instruments might come together on the Live SFX Console and be utilized for everything from slapstick sounds for silent movie viewings to complete improvised theatre shows on stage.

The Live SFX Console is equipped with various bells, chimes, cymbals and drums and might even back up the improvising musician(s) or piano player with percussion where applicable. The console is 100% self supporting with its own lighting and stage amplifier. The sounds can therefore not only be played over the PA in the theatre, but also directly from the stage (or wings) by using the console's build in PA.

The instruments 

Shakers and rainmakers 

Rainmakers and shakers are perfect for rhythmic support and percussion. But with a little imagination various general sounds effects can be made with them: footsteps, rumble or even a steam train.
 
There are still plans to construct a small wooden box with some gravel, dirt and small stones to produce 'footsteps'. This may also be used as a shaker. A side with some sandpaper glued to it might be used to produce sounds that might resemble 'rain' or 'rumble' when amplified with the build in PA of the Live SFX Console.

Rattles and slappers 

Rattle sounds can be produced in a variety of ways. Of course there is the classical hand rattle (not even displayed here, but of course included in the set) but there are also some rattles with a more high pitched sound in the collection, like the 'Woodpecker', Monk-Bell or vibrating Vibra-Slap that are displayed here. The latter is a percussion instrument that's great as a comical underscore when things fall apart.

And might the music turn out to be a samba or a rumba... then these instruments might be used musical and as percussive instruments. We're still looking for a double castanets on a stick that might make a nice addition. You may also donate your false teeth if you thing we can use them.

Horns and bells 

A happy family: The horns and bells. We're still looking for a place on the console to mount a big, low, old fashioned brass horn. The higher pitched bicycle type is already in the collection. With a little practice and imagination it can be used for a whole range of weird sounds (not only horn sounds!) when the rubber ball is played just below 'blow-level'. It then produces weird spooky sounds. With its price tag of only a few euro it can only be considered a real bargain.

Of course there is the ordinary bicycle bell (after all everybody in the Netherlands has a few bikes, so now I have one cycle without a bell) but also the luxury 'ding-dong' kind that (when played with a beater) also might be used to produce that striking pendulum clock. The Flex-A-Tone is a rattle that can be pitched and has a very distinct sound that comes in handy to underscore spinning, dreaming, hallucinations and all kinds of dizzy spells.

Percussive instruments 

You've come to the right address for all your hits, claps and kabooms. Metal and wood percussion. All these instruments can also be used musical. A woodblock produces a nice deep 'tock', the metal instruments are more high pitched by nature.

The Energy-Chime (possibly misplaced here, after all you could also call it a 'bell') might be that fancy doorbell, although it only has three tones. Simply play the three tones in a continuous loop to underline something supernatural with your own 'X-files' tune. Instant suspense!

A comic 'shake effect' (astonishment) can be made with the two toned ago go bell. The cow-bell is pitched just in between. All these bells together produce a convincing Swiss alpine meadow. You can almost smell the cows and mountain goats. Talking about multi-media...

Music boxes 

Particularly useful for that child's dream, hallucinations and dream scenes. The music boxes can be amplified by the build in PA on the Live SFX Console. Because they are not fixed to the console, they can also be used as objects on stage and played directly by the actor if that might be applicable.

Their use might be quite limited but when they can be used, their impact is not to be underestimated.

Other sounds that have only a single specific use could be a real door bell or telephone bell. Only time will tell which sounds are 'economic' enough to add to the console in future. Did I already told you that I don't consider carrying a large metal plate to the theatre to make that thunder strike? Better do that one with the laptop.

Whistles 

A typical slapstick sound we all know from the silent movies is the Acme Siren Whistle. Frequently used when someone gets a pie in the face or is confronted with some other unsuspected terror.

With a little practice, the Slide Whistle can also be played as a ordinary flute. By oscillating your breath weird vehicles and machines can be made. A striking coo-coo clock or a steam whistle is a cinch.

The big wooden whistle is a four tone steam train whistle that sounds extremely convincing. Because it uses water, probably the biggest advantage of the professional Bird Whistle is that the reservoir can be kept closed until it is really used. I did not get very nice birds from it yet although, probably I have to practice a bit harder.

Whistles can also be used to produce the sound of wind and storm. Being a loopable ambiance, this might be easier produced with a good electronic sound sample although.

And a lots, lots more... 

A 'tearing' sound can be made with two strips of Velcro. Of course the coconut-shells are there to make the sound of that galloping horse. Perhaps a children's glockenspiel would make a nice addition for glides and glisses. The back of the console features a 35 tone chimes.

Cracking doors and some slides, chains and locks might also be a nice add-on for the console. Some of the future hobby projects might be the production of a real 'slap stick': Two spring hinged wooden strips that can be slapped together to underscore hits and slams.

A rule of thumb is that the longer, often loopable, soundscape type effects are better generated with electronic samples and that acoustical elements are handy for funny noises or spot-effects. Most of them can also be used as percussive instruments.

There is so much to discover, play and experiment with, so consider this only the beginning.