Smartphone, Tablet & Computer UI Sound Archive.

[SL89]

Hi DeskThority!

I am collecting, sorting and hoping to make available my extensive collection of Ringtones, Notifications & UI sounds (blips and blaps and every sound designers and companies use to communicate with us aurally.)

Right now I am in the process of collecting new sounds. The core of this collection is based around the various Android Phone sound collections as implemented by the various Android OEM's. I am looking to change this as I am in the process of collecting new and old sounds from such diverse sources as Windows '95, Apple OS9, various Linux distros, other mobile phone UIs and independent sound designers.

Most if not all of this is availible as (F)OSS, but I haven't been able to find a singular archive or anything so I'm trying to put it together myself.

So please, either hook me up with any sounds you have collected. Or suggest some places I can go searching (Games, Operating Systems, Software, Hardware and other under utilized UI sources.)

Can't wait to hear what you all have in store!

[Findecanor]

You could ride in a train that crosses a border. Then you will hear other passengers' cell phones, one after the other, playing a message that it has received an sms (because messages telling about roaming fees). Make sure to start your recorder before the crossing....
Anyway, I did find that somewhat amusing yesterday when my train crossed into Austria - not a single notification sound in my car was the same as anybody else's. There are many types of cell phones out there.

I think I have seen web sites with historic sounds for Mac and Windows, respectively. sosumi.aiff is well known. I know also that there should be a SGI sound archive on the web somewhere.
Windows back in the day had official theme packs with lots of more sounds - that may have been distributed on discs.

[Muirium]

A lot of these old sounds are definitely still covered by copyright, if that concerns you. I've got SoundMaster on an old Mac emulator with all the classic Mac sounds (quack!) and I was goofy for sound effects on my sweet SoundBlaster card on my 486 back in the day proper.

Something I definitely don't suggest: re recording things with a microphone. All you'd hear in that train recording is the train. Mics listen without a brain, unlike our ears.

[SL89]

Speaking of borders, I have all of the Japanese chimes that occur at each station. They are all unique.

I wouldn't re record sounds either. Mostly just looking for extant .wav and other sound formats.

Regarding copyright, less important then uniqueness. Any contributions would be helpful.

[SL89]

@ Mu, if and when you get a chance can you get me a copy of those classic Mac sounds?

@Findecanor, I have a few Mac and Windows sounds, but the SGI stuff would be neat, do you have a link or something for it?

[Muirium]

Where are you planning on keeping these files, and sharing them?

[SL89]

I'm gonna keep them personally for the time being. I am looking into a neutral way to host them without it breaking any rules or what have you, and be free to share.

I have 1.5GB so far, some of which are surely duplicates.

[Findecanor]

Something I definitely don't suggest: re recording things with a microphone. All you'd hear in that train recording is the train. Mics listen without a brain, unlike our ears.

It was not a serious suggestion. Just an anecdote to illustrate that it could be difficult to get them all.

Btw, me I always disable sounds. PC speaker not connected. Can't stand them. Phone on vibrate.

[Muirium]

I gathered that, but you'd be amazed what people come away with while reading on the internet. Most amateur videos have sound so bad that a basic understanding of how microphones perform is clearly beyond almost everyone!

Photography: use more light.
Sound engineering: put the microphone closer.