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Burroughs SFX Library Edit

The atmosphere in Burroughs’s Library is filled with a symphony of mechanical sounds from the vintage Burroughs Adding Machines scattered throughout the room. The distinctive clanking of the key calculations being entered followed by a slow double crank fills the air, transporting listeners back to a time when manual calculations were the norm. The rhythmic calculation handle crank, a few key presses, and another crank create a mesmerizing rhythm that seems to echo through the walls of the library.

In the background, the mechanical cacophony continues with the distant sound of two lever pulls and a paper winding foley movement. The key brush adds another layer to the auditory experience, punctuating the ongoing calculations with a sharp clicking sound. In the midst of this busy workplace ambiance, the small office is abuzz with the sounds of typing and the perpetual motion of the machines.

The room is alive with the presence of numerous adding machines, each emitting its own unique key brush and clicks. The symphony of sound created by the 136 machines in the small office is both captivating and overwhelming, adding a touch of chaos to the otherwise orderly environment. Amidst the cacophony, the high-pitched button foley click stands out, cutting through the noise like a sharp note in a musical score.

The mechanical nature of the adding machines is further emphasized by the rattling of the body after a lever crank and the single reset button click. The soft key brushes and clicks provide a moment of respite from the constant motion, offering a brief pause in the symphony of sound that surrounds the listeners.

As the calculations continue, the room is filled with the sounds of various numbers being entered, accompanied by quick key brush motions. The distant reset machine and lever pull add a sense of urgency to the proceedings, breaking the steady rhythm that has taken hold of the room. The error key and key brush introduce a note of tension, highlighting the margin for human error in the otherwise precise calculations being performed by the machines.

Manual adjustments punctuated by clicks and a calculation lever crank add a sense of control to the otherwise chaotic soundscape. The three lever crank pulls in the distance create a sense of spatial awareness, drawing listeners deeper into the world of the adding machines. The number key 6 and multi-tap error key provide a glimpse into the intricacies of the calculations being performed, showcasing the complexity of the tasks at hand.

As the calculations draw to a close, the room erupts in a flurry of activity, with several calculation cranks and a final crank jam signaling the end of the process. The light key brush and short calculation, with multiple numbers and an error key at the beginning, bring the symphony of mechanical sounds to a close, leaving listeners with a sense of completion and satisfaction.

You can experience and download these mesmerizing sounds of the Burroughs Adding Machines in Burroughs’s Library here.