# Sound credits

Every sample here is CC0 (public domain dedication,
https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). No attribution is
required; it is given anyway. Each Freesound page below states CC0; the
Kenney RPG Audio pack states it in its License.txt.

## The palette

A portfolio on a desk: folders, card stock, paper, clips, a Keychron and a
lamp, close and dry, under a very soft lo-fi music bed, the only musical thing
on the site. Nothing rings or chimes: no bells, no motif, no hum.

## How the files were made

Freesound files were taken from the sound's high-quality preview (128 kbps
MP3), decoded to 44.1 kHz mono, then:

1. cut to a single event (times below are in the source file),
2. DC removed, rumble high-passed, and shaped with gentle EQ (a high-shelf cut
   and low-pass on anything papery or clicky, a two-pole low-pass "felt strip"
   on the pianos),
3. tonal notes resampled to exact pitch,
4. leading silence trimmed to 5 ms before the onset, the tail trimmed where it
   falls 60 dB under the peak, a 5 ms fade-in (15 to 300 ms for swells and
   air) and a 15 ms to 1 s raised-cosine fade-out,
5. normalised so the loudest 400 ms, K-weighted, sits at about -20 LUFS
   (momentary), with peaks capped at -1 dBFS (a few short transients land a
   little under -20 because the peak cap is reached first),
6. encoded mono AAC in .m4a with `afconvert` (64 kbps, 56 kbps for the long
   tonal files), and the encoder's padding atom removed.

The Keychron keys, the mouse, the space bar and the chain are kept exactly as
they were. The mix, per sound, is set in `src/lib/sound.ts`. Audition every
moment at `/sound-lab.html` (noindex, not linked, not in the sitemap).

Analysis columns: LUFS is the momentary maximum; centroid is the
magnitude-weighted spectral centroid of the finished file.

## Approved by ear

| File | Used for | Source | Author | License | Cut and processing | Bytes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| key-1.m4a | intro typing | [Single Key Presses on Mechanical Keyboard](https://freesound.org/people/Xemptful/sounds/660387/) | Xemptful | CC0 | 1.44 to 1.66 s; kept from the previous pass | 2935 |
| key-2.m4a | intro typing | [Single Key Presses on Mechanical Keyboard](https://freesound.org/people/Xemptful/sounds/660387/) | Xemptful | CC0 | 1.81 to 2.04 s; kept | 3092 |
| key-3.m4a | intro typing | [Single Key Presses on Mechanical Keyboard](https://freesound.org/people/Xemptful/sounds/660387/) | Xemptful | CC0 | 2.95 to 3.17 s; kept | 2914 |
| key-4.m4a | intro typing | [Key_Press](https://freesound.org/people/Mediasaur/sounds/788932/) | Mediasaur | CC0 | 0 to 0.23 s; kept | 3102 |
| thock.m4a | primary buttons (softened in the mix: -1 semitone, 2.8 kHz low-pass), the intro's Enter | [Keychron k10 space_bar](https://freesound.org/people/Sadiquecat/sounds/789630/) | Sadiquecat | CC0 | 0 to 0.30 s; kept | 3270 |
| mouse.m4a | intro mouse clicks | [mouse-click-double-00.flac](https://freesound.org/people/pbimal/sounds/534104/) | pbimal | CC0 | first click; kept | 2711 |
| chain.m4a | the bulb's pull chain | [chain pull light switch various.flac](https://freesound.org/people/kyles/sounds/453793/) | kyles | CC0 | 0.40 to 0.80 s; kept | 3262 |
| switch.m4a | a lamp switch (on, and two semitones down for off), under a synthesized hum on A | [Light Switch ON / OFF](https://freesound.org/people/FillSoko/sounds/257958/) | FillSoko | CC0 | 2.10 to 2.36 s; HP 150 Hz, shelf -5 dB above 4 kHz; 0.21 s, -21.2 LUFS, centroid 2.2 kHz, floor -70 dB | 3072 |
| card.m4a | the career strip advancing (only its first flick, 0.07 to 0.14 s, is played) | [Playing Card Deal Variation 1](https://freesound.org/people/el_boss/sounds/571577/) | el_boss | CC0 | 0.10 to 0.62 s; HP 140 Hz, shelf -6.5 dB above 3.5 kHz, LP 9 kHz; 0.44 s, -25.7 LUFS (peak-limited), centroid 3.35 kHz, floor -80 dB | 4969 |
| breath.m4a | the house lights dimming (five semitones down, darker) | [light slow swoosh.mp3](https://freesound.org/people/Mikes-MultiMedia/sounds/349698/) | Mikes-MultiMedia | CC0 | 0.18 to 1.85 s; HP 120 Hz, LP 6.5 kHz, 0.35 s fade; 1.67 s, 505 ms attack, -20 LUFS, centroid 1.1 kHz, floor -75 dB | 14861 |
| page.m4a | moving to another page | [Page Turn 01](https://freesound.org/people/LilMati/sounds/397548/) | LilMati | CC0 | 0 to 0.50 s; HP 160 Hz, shelf -4 dB above 4 kHz, LP 10 kHz; 0.39 s, -23.3 LUFS, centroid 2.6 kHz, floor -79 dB | 4415 |
| latch.m4a | a folded record opening or closing | [Opening Antique Trunk - Latches and Opening.wav](https://freesound.org/people/OverlookHotelRecords/sounds/271378/) | OverlookHotelRecords | CC0 | 1.43 to 1.72 s; HP 120 Hz, shelf -6 dB above 3.5 kHz, LP 7.5 kHz; 0.23 s, -22.4 LUFS, centroid 2.0 kHz | 3262 |

## Chosen by the owner in the sound lab (1 October 2026)

| File | Used for | Source (Freesound page, author) | License | Cut, processing and analysis | Bytes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| settle-a.m4a | settle A: soft timpani stroke | [Timpani - C#3 (Timpani3_Hit_v1_rr2_Sum.wav)](https://freesound.org/people/sgossner/sounds/373925/) (sgossner) | CC0 | 0 to 1.4 s, 142.42 Hz tuned to 146.83 Hz; HP 45 Hz, LP 4 kHz; 1.36 s, -20.0 LUFS, centroid 0.44 kHz, attack 12 ms | 12390 |
| peel-c.m4a | peel C: rubber stamp pressed softly | [Stamp](https://freesound.org/people/kermite607/sounds/362624/) (kermite607) | CC0 | 0.03 to 0.3 s; HP 80 Hz, LP 2.5 kHz; 0.27 s, -21.9 LUFS, centroid 1.66 kHz, attack 10 ms | 3507 |
| arrive-c.m4a | arrive C: tape reel spinning up | [Tape start .wav](https://freesound.org/people/sophiehall3535/sounds/245927/) (sophiehall3535) | CC0 | 1.1 to 1.9 s; HP 60 Hz, LP 6 kHz; 0.66 s, -20.0 LUFS, centroid 0.89 kHz, attack 401 ms | 6701 |
| synapse-c.m4a | synapse C: woodblock tick | [wood block.wav](https://freesound.org/people/calaudio/sounds/53403/) (calaudio) | CC0 | 0 to 0.25 s, 859.24 Hz tuned to 880.00 Hz; HP 150 Hz, LP 5 kHz; 0.24 s, -20.5 LUFS, centroid 1.94 kHz, attack 3 ms | 3308 |
| medal-c.m4a | medal C: wooden clothespin | [Clothespin - snap - wood - close.wav](https://freesound.org/people/ValentinPetiteau/sounds/624484/) (ValentinPetiteau) | CC0 | 0.72 to 0.9 s; HP 200 Hz, LP 2.8 kHz, LP 3.5 kHz, shelf -4 dB above 2 kHz; 0.14 s, -26.8 LUFS, centroid 1.92 kHz, attack 2 ms | 2356 |
| slide-a.m4a | slide A: card slid across felt | [slideCard03](https://freesound.org/people/SilverDubloons/sounds/817578/) (SilverDubloons) | CC0 | 0.06 to 0.38 s; HP 140 Hz, shelf -4 dB above 3.5 kHz, LP 9 kHz; 0.31 s, -22.8 LUFS, centroid 2.40 kHz, attack 15 ms | 3845 |
| dive-c.m4a | the intro's dive | [Deep Whoosh #1](https://freesound.org/people/Kinoton/sounds/351256/) (Kinoton) | CC0 | 0.2 to 1.7 s, shortened to 1.1 s with a 0.35 s fade; HP 90 Hz, low shelf -4 dB under 150 Hz (the sub that read as ominous), LP 6 kHz; played a whole tone up in the mix; -20.0 LUFS, centroid 1.03 kHz | 10303 |

## Candidates: a portfolio on a desk (picked in the sound lab; A plays until then)

The bell, the motif, the felt-piano chime, the Rhodes and the harp are gone;
these replace them. Three per moment.

| File | Candidate | Source (Freesound page, author) | License | Cut, processing and analysis | Bytes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| proof-a.m4a | chaChing A: papers squared up, two taps on the desk | [Tapping and handling paper](https://freesound.org/people/IENBA/sounds/834340/) (IENBA) | CC0 | 1.45 to 2.10 s; HP 80 Hz, LP 6 kHz, shelf -3 dB above 3 kHz; 0.49 s, -24.4 LUFS, centroid 1.83 kHz | 5376 |
| proof-b.m4a | chaChing B: a card folder snapped shut | [folder snapped shut.wav](https://freesound.org/people/Eneasz/sounds/178056/) (Eneasz) | CC0 | 0.15 to 0.75 s; HP 80 Hz, LP 5 kHz, shelf -5 dB above 2.5 kHz; 0.27 s, -21.8 LUFS, centroid 2.68 kHz | 3472 |
| proof-c.m4a | chaChing C: a notebook cover closed with a soft press | [Notebook close](https://freesound.org/people/Kukensius/sounds/320456/) (Kukensius) | CC0 | 0.02 to 0.60 s; HP 60 Hz, LP 6 kHz, shelf -3 dB above 3 kHz; 0.54 s, -23.0 LUFS, centroid 1.09 kHz | 5744 |
| useful-a.m4a | chime A: a binder clip clicked on | [Other - binder clip clicking.wav](https://freesound.org/people/jodybruchon/sounds/433877/) (jodybruchon) | CC0 | 1.12 to 1.42 s; HP 200 Hz, LP 4.5 kHz, shelf -4 dB above 2.5 kHz; 0.30 s, -22.8 LUFS, centroid 2.01 kHz | 3706 |
| useful-b.m4a | chime B: a folder tab flapped down | [PAPRFltr_FILE FOLDER FLAP_MP.wav](https://freesound.org/people/MPierluissi/sounds/462428/) (MPierluissi) | CC0 | 0.55 to 0.90 s; HP 120 Hz, LP 6 kHz, shelf -3 dB above 3 kHz; 0.31 s, -25.8 LUFS, centroid 1.64 kHz | 3910 |
| useful-c.m4a | chime C: a small elastic band, very soft | [Rubber Band](https://freesound.org/people/IndigoRay/sounds/241869/) (IndigoRay) | CC0 | 0 to 0.38 s; HP 90 Hz, LP 5 kHz; 0.38 s, -21.2 LUFS, centroid 0.48 kHz | 4465 |
| brain-a.m4a | thought A: a folder opened, its pages fanned | [PAPRFltr_FILE FOLDER FLAP_MP.wav](https://freesound.org/people/MPierluissi/sounds/462428/) (MPierluissi); [BookPageShuffle](https://freesound.org/people/Tomoyo%20Ichijouji/sounds/172304/) (Tomoyo Ichijouji) | CC0 | flap 3.60 to 4.00 s, then a fan 0.15 to 0.90 s 3 dB under, 180 ms later; HP 120 to 200 Hz, LP 5 to 6 kHz, shelves -3 to -4 dB; 0.81 s, -23.9 LUFS, centroid 1.47 kHz | 7832 |
| brain-b.m4a | thought B: a sketchbook page lifted | [Paper Sketchbook Page Flips 2](https://freesound.org/people/OwlStorm/sounds/320149/) (OwlStorm) | CC0 | 0.62 to 1.35 s; HP 150 Hz, LP 5.5 kHz, shelf -3 dB above 3 kHz; 0.72 s, -20.9 LUFS, centroid 1.76 kHz | 7263 |
| brain-c.m4a | thought C: tracing paper laid down | [paper, thin, tracing, blueprint, rustle.wav](https://freesound.org/people/golovlev.sound/sounds/632220/) (golovlev.sound) | CC0 | 2.76 to 3.22 s; HP 200 Hz, LP 4 kHz, shelf -4 dB above 2.2 kHz; 0.45 s, -21.9 LUFS, centroid 3.39 kHz | 4970 |
| heart-a.m4a | heart A: paper confetti fluttering, once for the burst | [Confetti Rustle.wav](https://freesound.org/people/KalhanRaina/sounds/416453/) (KalhanRaina) | CC0 | 0.30 to 1.20 s; HP 250 Hz, LP 3.6 kHz, shelf -4 dB above 2 kHz; 0.90 s, -20.1 LUFS, centroid 3.15 kHz | 8625 |
| heart-b.m4a | heart B: a sticky note pressed down | [Sticky Note.mp3](https://freesound.org/people/Keegan_Miner/sounds/474580/) (Keegan_Miner) | CC0 | 2.38 to 2.62 s; HP 150 Hz, LP 5.5 kHz, shelf -3 dB above 3 kHz; 0.19 s, -23.0 LUFS, centroid 1.87 kHz | 2882 |
| heart-c.m4a | heart C: gentle paper flicks, rising | [Index Card Flip.aif](https://freesound.org/people/ROBAMOS/sounds/339000/) (ROBAMOS) | CC0 | 5.10 to 5.30 s; HP 150 Hz, LP 6 kHz, shelf -3 dB above 3 kHz; 0.20 s, -20.0 LUFS, centroid 2.55 kHz | 3242 |

## The music bed (three candidates, A plays until the pick)

All CC0 Freesound loops (no Pixabay tracks). Each is a seamless loop of 16
bars, mono AAC at 64 kbps, fetched only after the first gesture.

| File | Candidate | Source (Freesound page, author) | License | Cut, processing and analysis | Bytes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| music-a.m4a | music A: laid-back keys and a soft beat, 95 BPM, D major | [Easy Going Music Loop](https://freesound.org/people/Seth_Makes_Sounds/sounds/691837/) (Seth_Makes_Sounds) | CC0 | 16 bars from 102.5 s (40.42 s); the 1.5 s after the loop crossfaded (equal power) into its start, so it loops seamlessly; HP 40 Hz, LP 11 kHz; integrated -21.5 LUFS, peak -1.0 dBFS; mono AAC 64 kbps | 332283 |
| music-b.m4a | music B: a warm lo-fi melody over a dusty hip-hop beat, 85 BPM, G major | [85 BPM Lofi Vibes Melody.wav](https://freesound.org/people/holizna/sounds/621183/) (holizna); [85 BPM Lofi HipHop Drum Loop.wav](https://freesound.org/people/holizna/sounds/621177/) (holizna) | CC0 | the melody (8 bars) twice over the drum loop (12 bars plus 4), drums 5 dB under, 16 bars (45.18 s); the 1.5 s after the loop crossfaded (equal power) into its start, so it loops seamlessly; HP 40 Hz, LP 11 kHz; integrated -20.0 LUFS, peak -3.6 dBFS; mono AAC 64 kbps | 370822 |
| music-c.m4a | music C: a bright, happy guitar groove, 100 BPM, G major | [Pop Guitar Loop Thing](https://freesound.org/people/Seth_Makes_Sounds/sounds/680113/) (Seth_Makes_Sounds) | CC0 | 16 bars from 25.7 s (38.40 s); the 1.5 s after the loop crossfaded (equal power) into its start, so it loops seamlessly; HP 40 Hz, LP 11 kHz; integrated -20.4 LUFS, peak -1.0 dBFS; mono AAC 64 kbps | 315813 |

The room is not a file: it is a 0.42 s impulse synthesized in
`src/lib/sound.ts`, on a 10% send shared by every sound except the music.
Haptics are not files either: `src/lib/haptics.ts` derives each one from its
sample's waveform when it decodes.

Total: 34 files, 1,174,680 bytes (the music, 1,018,918 bytes of it, is fetched only after the first gesture).

Synthesized, not recorded: the room's impulse, and two cues in the intro's
anime cut (no CC0 sample fit, so `src/lib/sound.ts` makes them): `sting`, the
"shing" of air over the chapter card's stamp (the stamp itself is peel-c.m4a),
and `drop`, the bass drop under Enter. The dive (dive-c.m4a) now also climbs
five semitones as it plays. Every sample
also has a synthesized stand-in that plays until the files have decoded.

## Removed

Earlier passes: coin.m4a (coin drop), register.m4a (cash register), tink.m4a
(glass), pop.m4a (Kenney drop), whoosh.m4a (folder whoosh), and Kenney
casino, RPG and impact takes on the card, peel, page, latch, switch and dive.

Rejected by ear after the first premium pass: thud.m4a (mattress hit, hero
words), peel.m4a (sticker peel and press), cloth-1.m4a and cloth-2.m4a
(ribbon rustle, medals), chord.m4a (felt-piano chord, awards), kalimba-d.m4a
and kalimba-a.m4a (footer heart), mallet-e.m4a and mallet-b.m4a (marimba,
brain stickers), dive.m4a (reversed breath), the synthesized brain swell, and
breath.m4a and card.m4a as a section arriving and the solo products (both
files stay, for the approved lights dimming and career strip).

Removed for the desk pass (1 October 2026), on the owner's note that nothing
should ring or chime: award-b.m4a (hotel desk bell), motif.m4a (the D F# A
Rhodes motif), chime.m4a (two felt-piano notes), thought-b.m4a (Rhodes chord),
heart-c-d, heart-c-g and heart-c-b.m4a (harp plucks), and the synthesized
filament hum. Silenced earlier the same day: arrive-c.m4a (section tape reel)
and breath.m4a (night-scene breath) stay on disk but are never fetched;
room-night.m4a was deleted.