Sonic Days 2024

Atmos First: Elevating Stereo Mixes with Immersive Technology
Join Atmos Music Mix Engineer Frank Grønbæk, supported by David Ziegler from Dolby, as they explore how starting with an Atmos mix can lead to a superior stereo mix. With modern audio technology, it’s possible to take advantage of the expansive soundscape of Atmos while delivering a highly refined stereo result. Through live demonstrations, attendees will experience a music production in full Atmos, through headphones, and in traditional stereo, showcasing how spatial audio techniques can enhance the final stereo mix. This session highlights the advantages of using Atmos as the foundation for all music mixes.

In this presentation, we’ll explore the foundational principles of psychoacoustics that inform our understanding of human hearing, delving into how these insights have shaped the development of binaural audio. By examining how we naturally perceive and locate sounds in real-life environments, we’ll uncover the techniques used to create binaural audio experiences for immersive music production. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how immersive production techniques harness our sensory perceptions to deliver spatially realistic audio experiences.

Auditory Envelopment (AE) is an elementary, perceptual quality of sound, capable of inducing pleasure and emotion in the listener. AE is not the same Listener Envelopment (LEV) used in acoustical engineering, and immersive audio formats have a higher capacity than stereo to influence AE in listeners.
We describe and exemplify recordings, mixes and distribution formats of immersive across a variety of genres. Examples of the new AE dimension are also given - from intimate to grand - as well as five deadly sins of how to miss its potential pleasure, including bad acoustics of listening rooms.

In this session, producer and songwriter Stine Kinck will share insights into her work creating music for international brands like Giorgio Armani, Valentino, and Samsung. Stine’s uncompromising artistic vision has earned her a place as one of Denmark’s top producers. Learn how she balances creativity with brand messaging and discover the behind-the-scenes process of landing high-profile sync campaigns while maintaining a distinctive sound.

How Can we Inspire the Music Industry to Dream and Create Immersive Music from the Start?

In 2018, we embarked on a research journey into 3D audio, frequently encountering remarkable technical initiatives. Yet, there was often little thought given to the artistic content or how to truly create, record, and mix music in 3D. This gap led to the development of EarWRM, a methodology designed to approach immersive music production from the ground up. In this presentation, I will explore the concept of EarWRM through a series of use cases. How can we guide both professional musicians and students as they prepare for their first immersive concert or composition? What software is essential for this process, and should we develop custom tools ourselves? Additionally, I will outline the framework we are developing for educating students, organizing songwriting camps, specifically designed to focus on immersive music production.
By advocating for an immersive mindset from the very beginning of music creation, we aim to foster a future where the industry not only adopts immersive technologies but dreams within them.

Even the finest headphones recreate a limited spatial image, which can hinder workflow efficiency and content accuracy.
 
In this session Neumann will share their approach to headphone-based reference monitoring for stereo and immersive audio. The solution described is based around a full Neumann signal chain creating transparency, reliability and externalization combined with the perks of headphone monitoring.

Join immersive audio expert Eric Horstmann as he presents a deep dive into his work on Data Drop, an album currently being considered for Grammy nominations in several categories, including Best Immersive Album. In this session, Eric will showcase the intricate mixing process behind the project, offering insights into how Dolby Atmos and immersive audio elevate the listening experience across formats—from full Atmos to traditional stereo and headphones.

Dive into the immersive audio production process with grammy award winning Michael Romanowski, as he guides you through the essential stages from inception to final release. This session focuses on Michael’s practical approaches to recording, mixing, and mastering immersive music. With a variety of playback examples - including some that attendees may not have heard before—participants will gain exposure to techniques used in different styles and contexts. An open Q&A session will allow for in-depth exploration and interactive discussion with Michael.

In this session, Flemming Rasmussen will share his experiences and techniques from his time in the studio with Metallica. Known for his work on the band’s seminal albums Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and …And Justice for All, Rasmussen will provide an in-depth look at the recording process and the sound shaping that helped define Metallica’s early style.
Key points will include:

• The collaborative process between Rasmussen and the band during recording.
• Technical approaches used in the production of these iconic albums.
• Overcoming challenges in achieving the raw, powerful sound Metallica is known for.

This session is ideal for audio professionals, musicians, and anyone interested in the craft of studio production, offering a deeper understanding of what goes into creating a groundbreaking rock album.