1 definition by MattR1970
A noise that may be too subtle to hear at first but which is audible enough to disrupt an audio recording. It was most notably used by an audio engineer who asked a perturbed Orson Welles to read another take while recording a commercial for frozen peas.
WELLES narrating: Nothing is more important than the simple act of people getting together—
ENGINEER: Good. Could I have one more go, Orson, please? Sorry.
WELLES: What?
ENGINEER: Could I have just one more take of that?
WELLES: Why? I just did it right. Now, look, I'm not used to having more than one person in there. One
more word out of you, and you go. Is that clear?
ENGINEER: Yes, sir.
WELLES: I take directions from one person ... under protest! But from two I don't sit still. Who the hell are you, anyway?
ENGINEER: I'm the engineer.
WELLES: Well, why the hell are you asking me for another one?
ENGINEER: Well, I thought there was a slight gonk and I would just like to be safe.
WELLES: Jesus. shuffles papers What is a "gonk"? Do you mind telling me what that is?
ENGINEER: No, no, a bang from outside.
WELLES: A "bang from outside." pours himself some water Can I see Mrs. Rogers for a minute, please?
ENGINEER: Yes, certainly.
ENGINEER: Good. Could I have one more go, Orson, please? Sorry.
WELLES: What?
ENGINEER: Could I have just one more take of that?
WELLES: Why? I just did it right. Now, look, I'm not used to having more than one person in there. One
more word out of you, and you go. Is that clear?
ENGINEER: Yes, sir.
WELLES: I take directions from one person ... under protest! But from two I don't sit still. Who the hell are you, anyway?
ENGINEER: I'm the engineer.
WELLES: Well, why the hell are you asking me for another one?
ENGINEER: Well, I thought there was a slight gonk and I would just like to be safe.
WELLES: Jesus. shuffles papers What is a "gonk"? Do you mind telling me what that is?
ENGINEER: No, no, a bang from outside.
WELLES: A "bang from outside." pours himself some water Can I see Mrs. Rogers for a minute, please?
ENGINEER: Yes, certainly.
by MattR1970 February 21, 2016