Freesound Forums

Hello there,
A few times when I'm out doing some field recording, people are curious what I'm up to, and I explain I'm recording for Freesound, a online collaborative library form a university in Barcelona etc... It's available to everyone and I encourage them to check out the website.

I would like to have a few business cards to handle out, to further encourage them to check out the website and make sure they don't forget the name and find it.

Are there any cards templates already available? If not, could we imagine making one and who would do it?
Could we figure out one person to print a batch and re-distribute them amongst the community by mail? How much would it cost?

Is this business card thing out of date and lame and I should just get a badge with a QR Code? xD

Cheers!

Hey !
I have to talk about Freesound quite regularly too !
Agree ! It would be a very good Idea if someone would be able to create a cards template !

Cheers !

Kevin

😆 (Meme based on the Krombopulos Michael "I just love killin'" scene in Rick and Morty S2E2)

SVG/PDF at github.com/qubodup/free-culture-promo, to get the ball rolling. Used github.com/datalog/qrcode-svg to generate QR code, then copied the SVG XML code from inspector to a text file and named it something.svg.

Great ! Thank you very much qubodup !
I'm sure it will be very useful for lots of us !

Wishing you all the best !

Kevin

Thanks Qubodup!
I might get to designing a printable card and have that QR code on it.
(No promisses)

Is there any material available for like logo (the wave form thing) and the font / text?
Cheers !

Hey Sadiquecat !
If needed, looks like one could find and save the Freesound logo from the Wikipedia page !

Wishing you all the best !

Kevin

Thanks you!
Thanks to Sam for also indicating that they're available on Github as .SVG https://github.com/MTG/freesound/tree/master/freesound/static/bw-frontend/public/logos

I noticed, the Wikipedia page has a outdated logo with a different shade of red than is now currently used.

Cheers!

Good to know about the outdated logo on wikipedia, thanks !
Of course, as a blind people, I didn’t guess about that !

Maybe someone could update it ?

Wishing you all the best !

Kevin

Hey there.

I'm no graphic designer...
But I made this concept https://imgur.com/a/5fgkZiQ

Before I share a PDF or something, anyone sees / wants any edits ?

I'm hesitant about the "find my sounds at" being bold. Maybe a slimmer font would be good?
QR code is greyed out in preview, it will be normal.
Red in preview is a bit more dull than the chosen red, I hope the print would be more vivid and closer to the chosen red that actually shows here on freesound.
I'm hesitant about having the dots at the end of "... database of audio samples." and "Creative Commons licenses."
Feels like there's an empty space at the bottom next to the QR codes and logos. Not sure if that matters much...

Cheers!

I could and should include Phonos' logo down there ?
Idea by Seroto9, Include the Creative Commons logo in there. I think it's good!

That's very interesting idea, by the way you can use Canva (free) to create template there. Probably you can share the link (template).

I have been using Canva to create this
I'l share the template once I have finished.
I think I have, I just need confirmation about using the Phonos logo, and Creative Commons.
is it a good idea, do I have the rights to?

A few other edits I did : removed the dots. Made the font of "a collaboration database ... Released under..." a tad smaller.

And tada
A few small complications, it's not to scale with business cards print ratio printers offer here.
Can only export to 1050x600p I wish I had a bit more higher resolution..

Well, once you've got your 1050x600p image, you could vectorize it with Inkscape or some online site.

Hello,
Here are some designs

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGldLkMJrw/2LuF5k9a9RTOni28gs_TNw/edit?utm_content=DAGldLkMJrw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
85x55mm (Fr) https://www.canva.com/design/DAGmG87k_qo/aNReJIM5uSyhB_WEC06Ufw/edit?utm_content=DAGmG87k_qo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

PNG https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KDHza0MkuBsH-niWPJwLO-4HWznzPGda?usp=sharing

There are two designs.
Design 1 blank Freesound logo. Red with details on the back and a "find my sounds" you could complete yourself, or write it by pen.
Design 2 white Freesound at the front, a dark "me" at the back.

I imagine, if you wanted a one faced print (cheaper), "back" pages of either design would do. Though they'd either be a dark or red themed card, a white themed one page print might be something to do. (It gets convoluted between Freesound logo, breif description of the site, a "find me" section which I think is essential, and logos / QR code...).

Hope they help!
Cheers!

Hello Sadiquecat! In my opinion, it's a wonderful design. Thanks for that. I'll try to figure this out in more detail as soon as I have more time.

So as a follow-up now that the Business cards are made.

Would a flyer/leaflet be something worth making?

I have been in a few creative spaces and met a few people (noticeably teachers be it videography or music studio) who weren't aware of Freesound. I think it's a pity given how rich of a resource it is.

So there's already the Business cards I can hand out so people think about it, don't forget the name and have a link towards here. But I'm thinking a more detailed promotional material would be a next step.
There's the About section here https://freesound.org/help/about/
While we can share that URL online, a more visual/eye catching "poster" or PDF leaflet (which could be printed) could be more inviting and informative.

With the “Freesound Day”, October 28th 2025 coming up. It would be nice to make those and have some prints (If Freesound is willing to invest in that) to hand out to the people there; either to share some extra info about Freesound or to share with future people they might meet or simply to stick on the fridge for the pride of being in this community and attending the event
One example, is I would try to present a few at Tourist Offices, or town halls at villages/cities where I record a lot. Feels like if I have 100 field recording at a town, they might want to know about it.

Then, I know no-one wants to be shown a flyer, the people concerned about this are few, so it might well be for nothing.
So what do you think? Is it a thing you'd show some people?

There maybe should be a printable and digital material?
If I decide to make one, what should be the infos on it ?
What is Freesound? Creative commons and usage. Types of sounds and not music.
Map/geotagging feature. Useful tips for searching ? Other?

Cheers!

Gave out freesound's business card today, first time for a random curious person and not just a friend
Was happy to share and finally see it used!

Today I had the honour of being at a workshop with Felix Blume. He did present Freesound quickly to the group.
I'll re-mention, having a flyer to handle out to present Freesound, Creative commons, different types of field recordings, features here. Examples of projects that Freesound allow on both research and creative use. Maybe some stats ? ETC... would perhaps be something nice to have.

I'm not a graphic designer, so on a technical aspect of things like size / aspect ratio, one sided or two sided or folded designs for ease of at home printing or as a commercial purchase, id like so advice.

Id also need some help with the form for presentation and the content of information?

Cheers!

Well somehow my previous message didn’t send. So here we go again…
Brainstorming Leaflet (Sorry. Technically a Pamphlet or Brochure.):
I want there to be a A4 printable support to help teachers present Freesound to their students who may have never heard or used Freesound. This document should be able to bring someone who has never heard of Freesound to a rough idea of what they can find here, how creative commons work, and what this website is about.

Must have :
- Website url.
- QR code
- What is freesound?
- Freesound’s mission and values.
- Creative commons licences CC0 CC-By CC–BY-NC explained
- Passable black and white print for the color version.
- Logos : Freesound, CC UPF.

Should have :
- Black N White optimised version.
- Logos : MTG, Phonos?
- Good attribution example.
- Map / Geotagged explained.
- Types of hosted sounds.
- List of common uses.
- List of scientific research projects
- UPF and MTG mentioned. Explained?
- Copyright if not redundant to CC explained.
- Year it started. (2005)

Could have :
- Misconceptions and none-hosted sounds (Music / Podcasts)
- Tips for your first recordings and uploads.
- Tips to use the search function.
- API mentioned / explained.
- Find my sound/username at X section.
- Personal notes area.
- Infrastructure (How many servers?)
- Single A4 One side BnW print version.
- Mention of the forum aspect. (Help and advice)
- None-printed PDF, Computer/tablet optimised version.
- Editable Local Town / City name and quantity of geotagged sounds available info. “Explore >400 sounds in Paris” for Tourism offices.

Stats and info as of 2025 :
- Total uploads > 700,000 for 7tb of accessible sounds. (How many users contributed to all the sounds here?)
- Pie-chart of types of sounds.
- Average daily uploads
- Average daily users
- Average daily downloads
- Usage around the world ? (do we know if every country has regular activity?)
- Staff count (specifying volunteer base and who is employed if anyone ?)
- Operational cost and income.

What are the priorities of those lists?
Any other ideas or FAQ I may have missed?
Any objections ?

Cheers!

Hi @Sadiquecat,

Thanks for the initiative, I'll leave some comments on the specific points:

Must have :
- Website url.
- QR code
Make sure to find a free service with QR codes that do not expire..or don't use a QR code
- What is freesound?
- Freesound’s mission and values.
- Creative commons licences CC0 CC-By CC–BY-NC explained
This is probably quite relevant, add a summary for the 3 licenses
- Passable black and white print for the color version.
- Logos : Freesound, CC UPF.
And Phonos

Should have :
- Black N White optimised version.
- Logos : MTG, Phonos?
- Good attribution example.
- Map / Geotagged explained.
Maybe just a fragment of a map is self-explanatory, even as a background image in some bit might be enough
- Types of hosted sounds.
Maybe there'll not be space to add many stats like in the draft you shared. Just list some types of sounds so people might get an idea of the heterogeneity?
- List of common uses.
- List of scientific research projects
I don't think there's space for that. Probably in the main mission description, if scientific research is listed that'd be enough
- UPF and MTG mentioned. Explained?
- Copyright if not redundant to CC explained.
- Year it started. (2005)
Could have :
- Misconceptions and none-hosted sounds (Music / Podcasts)
- Tips for your first recordings and uploads.
- Tips to use the search function.
- API mentioned / explained.
- Find my sound/username at X section.
- Personal notes area.
- Infrastructure (How many servers?)
- Single A4 One side BnW print version.
- Mention of the forum aspect. (Help and advice)
- None-printed PDF, Computer/tablet optimised version.
- Editable Local Town / City name and quantity of geotagged sounds available info. “Explore >400 sounds in Paris” for Tourism offices.
Stats and info as of 2025 :
- Total uploads > 700,000 for 7tb of accessible sounds. (How many users contributed to all the sounds here?)
- Pie-chart of types of sounds.
- Average daily uploads
- Average daily users
- Average daily downloads
- Usage around the world ? (do we know if every country has regular activity?)
- Staff count (specifying volunteer base and who is employed if anyone ?)
- Operational cost and income.

I think most of the things in this last section might not be necessary or had to fit in the space. I like the idea that some part of it could be adapted to different places.