Fred Armisen - 100 Sound Effects

In our exclusive SoundWorks Collection we chat with Actor, comedian, musician Fred Armisen about creating his new album, 100 Sound Effects.The goal was to create a number of specific and evocative sounds, but in addition to being a fun listen—pure and simple—100 Sound Effects has great value as an industrial tool, with sounds ready to be used in any number of entertainment projects. Some follow the basic blueprint, like doors shutting and glass breaking. Others are more abstract scenarios. With a track like Campfire Breakfast Conversation, Fred notes:“They could be used in a movie or a show as a distant sound. Like: ‘Listen, I think I hear campers down that way!’ Those can also be played on outdoor speakers, if you want to make your backyard sound like a popular camping area.”The majority of the album was recorded in studios, but occasionally ambient sounds were needed. Rather than rely on other sound effects records, Fred went outside and captured them himself on a portable digital recorder, pointing it at the sky, a car, or whatever was required. Some sounds demanded extra effort.“Glass breaking seemed like an easy part of the album,” he recalls, “but I forgot that I’d actually have to break and clean up glass. There’s this place in Van Nuys where you pay to go in and smash glass. It’s all very safe, and you have to wear goggles and a jumpsuit. What a great idea for a business. I want to go back and curate a smash room.”Fred also wanted to recreate other specific moments not usually found on sound effects records, like Music Venue Employee Kicking Everyone Out While Throwing Away Bottles—a surprisingly common scene for many of us—while also including versions of his personal favorite effects, which resulted in tracks like Small Theater Booing.With additional help and inspiration from Bill Hader, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Amber Coffman, Tim Heidecker, Riki Lindhome, and Alice Carbone Tench, Fred had a lot of fun making the album. The result, Fred Armisen’s 100 Sound Effects, is a sound effects album like no other—a fantastic contemporary entry in a classic category that can be used as a practical library or enjoyed for brain-stimulating deep listening.