Eli5: difference between sfx and foley in sound
In: Technology
Hi, Post Sound Editor here. Foley refers to sounds recorded specifically for the film/episode in a foley stage. These things are typically footsteps, hand pats, grabbing of objects, and other sounds related to the physical handling or movement of smaller objects. This can include things like breaking celery for bone breaks. However this is an area that often overlaps.
SFX are typically referring to any sounds not specifcally recorded for this piece of media. Many things like celery breaks and rain have been recorded many times and exist in libraries of sound effects. Most SFX come from libraries but can also be created or altered digitally for things such as lasers and other synthetic sounds. But libraries also include things like a door opening or closing, a car break squealing, car engines, gunshots, etc.
Foley is when sound is created or enhanced for film/radio using an array of objects and tools, like snapping celery to replicate the sound of snapping bones. Or bacon frying to replicate the sound of rain.
So you can have a wide array of hand crafted foley sound effects, and I’m guessing standard sfx are either used from stock libraries or created via digital means.
Here’s a video about the magic of foley artists… https://youtu.be/UO3N_PRIgX0?si=ZBTpltf2CM6BbizP
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