How realistic do ambient sound effects sound?

Just how realistic are ambient sound and do they often fit within the room without being too exaggerated in loudness.

I tested one scene from a film that I was looking over with low end frequency waterfalls. Then one scene caught my attention with "Executive Decision" (1996) when Doctor Grant played by (Kurt Russell)



The levels of the AVR was set at -9db separates with DCX2496 amplifiers Alesis RA300 LF and Marantz 1050 HF all set to comfortable room levels.


The scene when demonstrated was heard with an extreme mild level on the left and right with part of (Kurt Russell’s dialogue heard on left and right) but at an extreme low level “If this was DZ5” with haunting knocking music sound on the left and right.


The centre is slight different mix with more of the water droplet sound effect into the glass as it plops down into the water.


The level is around or within 50dba at 1metre distance.

I tested the idea out with plastic cup filled with water and placed within the same area, only don’t place water on top of electrical items! I conducted a few delicate tests and the water dropped within close proximity.


The crossover frequency for DCX2496, is set for each channel is equal the bass-mid at 1Khz and HF at 1Khz upwards. While muting the HF I found that the sound was more than audible while (left and right was muted) the centre LF produced more than enough audible range. With LF muted and HF running it was somewhat different sound far lesser.

While looking the centre channel EQ the effect is 1 KHz thou it might be just a little more wider.

LCR front loudspeakers used are JBL control 5.

Nah I was smoking something, just having some fun that’s all. I’m aware the dubbing stage is different and prefect. It’s the thought that counts.

Actually its 02:45 UK wintertime because as far as I'm concerned British summertime ended before it started. Its rain, rain, rain and guess what more frigging rain outside!

Birthday wish list hey, sounds you’ve had a real miserable summertime this year. September is just a few weeks around the corner anyone what to bet England’s going to get weathered in like last year. LOL by the time, your back in Paris the weather well be more or less the same. France isn’t that far away. The air might be warm but the weather is rubbish.

Looks like Florida’s in for another bashing this Monday with hurricane Fay!

You know I don’t really care for the British summertime I’d prefer the rain and cloudy overcast throughout the day, just as long as it’s clear at night-time because the stars are fascinating to look at. Looking backwards in time, is what I’m looking at. The daytime is just rubbish, its pants.

Anyway haven’t found anything else to tickle my fancy with quite and strange ambient scenes I’m listening to a forceful summertime of nature from (1996) if that rings any bells.

Yeah you do. You get a free screen capture to hang on the wall. Spot on!

Well I noticed a few good ones in Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) where Poppy is walking home at night, and then decides to go for walk. Ambience was good I mean really it was good you, can hear sirens in the far distance that gave the night-time scene a good creditable sound moment.

Yeah that’s right and placing a video projector in room with screen isn’t rocket science.

Just being watching Alien Nation Dolby stereo 4.1

Now this is sickening ambient sound that made me, cringe as George poured the stale sour milk into the glass and if you think I’m going to try this out, please be my, guest I don’t relish the thought of throwing up outside the window.


The texture of the detail of the milk slopping out of the milk carton sounded so realistic on the centre channel. “Well my daughter’s got a husband. I got a partner. He really ain’t half bad, except when he’s got that rotten milk on his breath.”
Matthew Sykes, Alien Nation