Sonic Days 2024

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, 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.