David Farmer
Sound
David Farmer is an American sound designer at Skywalker Sound. Raised on a farm in Gladys, Virginia, he developed an early interest in music as a guitarist and drummer before deciding to pursue a career in sound after seeing behind-the-scenes footage of sound designer Ben Burtt creating effects for the Star Wars films. He studied Recording Arts at Full Sail University in Florida before moving to Los Angeles, where he began his career as an intern at a Burbank post-production facility. He was inducted into the Full Sail Hall of Fame in 2011. He is best known for his work as sound designer on Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, creating sounds for Ringwraiths, the Balrog, and the Cave Troll. He returned to Middle-earth for the Hobbit trilogy, creating sounds for Smaug. Outside his work, Farmer is an avid field recordist who has released ambient soundscape and white-noise recordings under the artist names Aural Escapes, Dream Candy and Hushaboo.
Known for
Sound57
movieForgotten Island
2026
Sound Effects Editor
movieHow to Train Your Dragon
2025
Sound Effects Editor
movieThunderbolts*
2025
Sound Designer
movieThe Gorge
2025
Sound Designer
movieThe Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
2024
Sound Designer
movieThe Wild Robot
2024
Sound Effects Editor
movieBlue Beetle
2023
Sound Designer
tvWillow
2022
Sound Designer
movieEternals
2021
Sound Designer
movieVivo
2021
Sound Effects Editor
tvLoki
2021
Sound Designer
movieUnderwater
2020
Sound Designer
movieSpies in Disguise
2019
Sound Effects Editor
tvThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
2019
Sound Effects Editor
movieAvengers: Endgame
2019
Sound Designer
movieCaptain Marvel
2019
Sound Designer
movieAnt-Man and the Wasp
2018
Sound Designer
movieAvengers: Infinity War
2018
Sound Designer
movieThor: Ragnarok
2017
Sound Designer
movieValerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
2017
Sound Designer
movieThe Mummy
2017
Sound Designer
movieVoice from the Stone
2017
Sound Effects Editor
movieA Cure for Wellness
2017
Sound Designer, Supervising Sound Editor
movieRatchet & Clank
2016
Sound Designer
movieAnt-Man
2015
Sound Designer
movieThe Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
2014
Sound Designer
movieThe Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
2013
Sound Designer
movieThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
2012
Sound Designer
movieUnderworld: Awakening
2012
Sound Designer
movieCowboys & Aliens
2011
Sound Designer
movieRed Riding Hood
2011
Sound Designer
movieA Nightmare on Elm Street
2010
Sound Designer
movieInvictus
2009
Sound Designer
movieUnderworld: Rise of the Lycans
2009
Sound Designer
movieHenry Poole Is Here
2008
Sound Designer
movieThe Incredible Hulk
2008
Sound Designer
movieThe Omen
2006
Sound Effects Editor
movieKing Kong
2005
Sound Designer
movieThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2003
Sound Designer
movieThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
2002
Sound Designer
movieFinal Fantasy: The Spirits Within
2001
Sound Effects Editor
movieThe Replacements
2000
Sound Designer
movieSpace Cowboys
2000
Sound Designer
movieArmageddon
1998
Sound Effects Editor
movieMortal Kombat: Annihilation
1997
Sound Designer
movieMost Wanted
1997
Sound Effects Editor
movieSet It Off
1996
Sound Effects Editor
movieBordello of Blood
1996
Sound Effects Editor
movieThe Arrival
1996
Sound Designer
movieDead Presidents
1995
Sound Effects Editor
movieMortal Kombat
1995
Sound Designer
movieCitizen X
1995
Sound Effects Editor
movieDisclosure
1994
Sound Effects Editor
movieThe Mask
1994
Sound Effects Editor
movieMenace II Society
1993
Sound Effects Editor
