Thread: Using no music/sfx in our cemetery... was a huge success

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Most years we obsess over what types of sound effects to have in our cemetery.

I think one of our best haunts occurred when we used no sound effects or music. The night was clear and cool and the fog machines put a creepy effect across the cemetery.

The stillness and quietness of the place made people stand out in front of our gate deciding to go in or not. Some just sat there and sad, nah, it's too creepy. Too creepy, us? Well, thank you. People are usually somewhat prepared to be scared if it looks and "sounds" like it might happen, but the stillness really freaks them out.

I think there are perks to music/ sound effects, and then there are some disadvantages.

I realized that sometimes not having too much is actually better.

What do you think?

I'd agree with you. I mean how many real cemetary's having music playing? I'm thinking that maybe at most some sounds of wind, crickets, an occasion owl hoot and leaves rustling would be plenty for a cemetary haunt. Maybe even the sound of shoveling way in the background somewhere. I would definately NOT have music playing.

I agree to an extent. As halloweiner said, I prefer realistic sounds like rain, wind, thunder, etc.

It helps especially when your on a street with cars goin by all the time :-/

stick with natural sounds.

Originally Posted by Halloweiner

I'd agree with you. I mean how many real cemetary's having music playing? I'm thinking that maybe at most some sounds of wind, crickets, an occasion owl hoot and leaves rustling would be plenty for a cemetary haunt. Maybe even the sound of shoveling way in the background somewhere. I would definately NOT have music playing.

Where can you get sounds of shoveling?

Well the most popular recording containing Shoveling Sounds is on the 1979 version of Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of The Haunted House.

I think it depends very much on the individual haunt.
I have a themed haunt where the music is as much an integral part as the lighting, actors and props, although I don't use too many sound effects.

I use the music (usually appropriate Nox Arcana or Midnight Syndicate tracks) to provide background ambience and atmosphere, as well as to disguise any sounds of scareactors moving around the haunt.

Most movies have a background score, which although we're barely conscious of it for the most part, goes a long way to immersing one in the film. This seems to be particularly relevant to the Horror genre.

That being said, the original Dracula (1931) was filmed almost entirely without a musical score and is a very creepy, atmospheric movie nonetheless. Perhaps the lack of a background score actually adds to the unsettling feel of the film in this case....So I see how a "silent" haunt can work.


To use a somewhat cliched phrase..."I don't like it, Carruthers...It's too quiet."

Go to Download Sound Effects | SoundDogs.com and search for shoveling dirt. Tons of choices to choose from.

You can download a low quality version for free or purchase the high quality audio file for cheap money.

That place has a TON of useful sound effects.

I think that's an interesting idea: using only sound effects, but no music. I use something sorta in-between. I have a base track for the outdoor part of my haunt, over which sound effects are lain. The base track is just a cello playing a loooooong sustained low note. It's pretty effective because the base track is so low that it's basically a feeling, more than a sound. The subwoofers carry it more than the main speakers.

Inside, I use music, but also mostly sorta backgroundy.

Originally Posted by HalloweenBob

Go to Download Sound Effects | SoundDogs.com and search for shoveling dirt. Tons of choices to choose from.

You can download a low quality version for free or purchase the high quality audio file for cheap money.

That place has a TON of useful sound effects.

Thanks for the info!