it  with  chocolate  and  topping  it  off  with  a  750-foot mountain  of  whipped  cream  and  a  10-ton  maraschino cherry.  This  versatility  is  available  for  any  radio production and is limited only by your imagination and ability to locate or create sound effects. The following are the three main types of sound in audio  production: .  Real l   Simulated l  Rerecorded Real Real sound effects are produced in the studio using the actual source, such as papers shuffling or scissors cutting cloth. You are limited to the availability of the particular item to make the desired sound. Simulated Simulated   sound   effects   are   those   that   do   not recreate   reality,   but   merely   suggest   it.   Crinkling cellophane  can  suggest  a  campfire,  and  running  your thumb across the teeth of a comb can suggest casting a fishing  line. Prerecorded Prerecorded  sound  effects  are  those  available  on tape or compact disc (CD). The two types of these are the ones that create a sound picture, such as a city street or factory, and the ones that create individual sounds, such as footsteps or the opening of a door. When using prerecorded  sound  effects,  you  are  limited  to  the recordings available in the tape or CD library of your station. USE OF THE VOICE The voice is the essence of most radio productions, because  it  conveys  the  message.  Each  announcer interprets copy according to his style of delivery and the type  of  delivery  needed  to  communicate  the  message effectively. Voice characterizations may be used if it is appropriate  to  the  production,  but  make  sure  the characterization is realistic and portrayed well. BASIC  PRODUCTION  CONCEPTS There  are  many  ways  to  put  an  audio  production together. The technique you decide on will depend upon the   complexity   of   the   production,   the   equipment available to you and your ability to put it all together. Although there are many variations to the process, audio  productions  usually  are  formed  around  the following four basic concepts: l l l l Beginning  to  end Prerecorded voice Prerecorded music and sound effects Segmenting Beginning to End When you are using this method, everything is done nonstop, mixing all the elements onto tape. This means recording  the  narration,  background  music  and  sound effects at one time, as they are called for in the script. Because   this   method   requires   many   rehearsals   and considerable production skill, it is not recommended for the inexperienced broadcaster. Prerecorded  Voice If you choose the prerecorded voice method, put one element   on   an   audiotape   cartridge   (known   in   the industry as a “cart”) and mix the other elements in as you go. This method is best used for a production that requires   only   a   few   supportive   elements.   The prerecorded  element  is  the  narration,  allowing  you  to concentrate  on  mixing  the  other  effects  as  they  are needed.  You  can  add  other  elements  later. A disadvantage to this method is that it limits the announcer’s flexibility to interpret the script as it relates to   the   accompanying   music   or   effects.   Therefore, prerecorded voice is not the recommended method of production. It is used sparingly and, generally, only for “straight” copy requiring little interpretation. Prerecorded Music and Sound Effects Although time consuming, the prerecorded music and sound effects method works best in a complicated production, especially if the producer is inexperienced. By  placing  all  the  elements  onto  cartridges  and  then mixing  them  on  a  reel-to-reel  tape  recorder,  you  can “build”  sound  elements  by  layering  one  element  on another   using   multiple   recordings.   The   possible combinations of cartridge-to-reel, CD-to-cartridge and cartridge-to-cartridge  are  many.  This  method  also allows  the  announcer  to  adapt  the  vocal  mood  to  the mood created by the other elements. Segmenting The segmenting method allows the broadcaster to take manageable portions of the production and produce them using the beginning to end method. These separate segments then can be edited together to form a complete production.  This  method  is  good  for  very  long  and complicated productions but it requires both editing skill 13-22