Sonic Days 2024

Description: Join Allan Holberg, a seasoned sound mixer with decades of experience in both TV and film, for an introductory session on the essential equipment and tasks involved in capturing sound on set. Learn the basics of how a sound recordist works, from handling boom mics to recording clear, high-quality audio in dynamic environments. This session is perfect for those who are new to sound work and want to explore the tools and techniques used on a professional film set

With the advent of spatial audio renderers in the live entertainment industry, channel-based mixing solutions are being replaced by object-based mixing solutions. These processors are first used by system technicians. But above all, they are mixing tools. New companions of sound engineers and artists appear: software for positioning an audio object in the sound field. These interfaces have to be integrated into the wide show ecosystem, including mixing consoles, show controllers, tracking systems, potentially lighting and video.
 
How to make this possible since everyone uses his own language and protocol. One can talk MIDI, another OSC, PosiStageNet or a proprietary protocol. Do we need complex tools to translate a language into another? Or can we have a common vocabulary?
 
Leading audio manufacturers have worked together to come up with an OSC specification that everyone can use to easily interoperate. This is ADM-OSC, which has just been presented at the AES convention in New York early October.

At Sonic Days, Kurt Martinez, the immersive mix engineer behind acclaimed productions for Audible and the BBC, will take attendees through his innovative approach to sound design using Dolby Atmos. Known for his dynamic sound work on Horizon: Forbidden West, Kylie Minogue’s Tension, and the sci-fi thriller Halfway, Kurt has a unique ability to transform auditory experiences into narrative powerhouses. In this session, he will share insights into how immersive audio creates engaging environments, bringing scripted dramas and podcasts to life in ways that captivate listeners. Discover how sound is becoming a storytelling tool in its own right, and how Kurt’s cutting-edge techniques can inspire your next audio project.

This session delves into the evolving world of immersive audio, examining the creative and technological possibilities that are transforming industries. The discussion will explore the potential of spatial audio to enhance user experiences across different settings, from entertainment to automotive and beyond. Topics will include the latest advancements driving this innovation, how artists and engineers are collaborating to push creative boundaries, and the opportunities and challenges in bringing immersive sound to the mainstream.

Inclusion in the recording studio has become a critical focus within the music industry, highlighting the need for greater representation of women and gender-expansive individuals. Recent initiatives and studies reveal both progress and ongoing challenges in achieving equity.
The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative conducts annual reports titled Inclusion in the Recording Studio, analyzing gender and racial/ethnic representation among artists, songwriters, and producers in popular music.
Stacy L. Smith is the Founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, the leading global think tank studying issues of inequality in entertainment. Dr. Smith’s groundbreaking research examines inclusion across film, TV, and digital platforms, the music business, and includes economic analyses that investigate the relationship between inclusion and financial performance.

The music industry has long been marked by a skewed gender distribution. For the first time, the Partnership for Sustainable Development in Music, alongside 47 organizations and companies, has released a comprehensive report shedding light on gender distribution across various roles and responsibilities in the music sector. The results show good intentions, but a long way to go. In this presentation, we will explore the key statistics on gender representation and discuss the challenges that industry stakeholders face in promoting equality. Join us to learn about the report's key findings and the steps that can be taken to foster gender equity in the music industry.

Immersive is the new holy grail, in everything from entertainment to broadcast, from gaming to communication, from lighting to video. The audio industry has been in turmoil for over a decade. A revolution is underway, with new approaches to producing and transmitting sound in a wider field than stereo.

Spatial audio is all about time and distance. However, is time a good mate?
Localization versus creativity, distances and rhythms, binaural rendering to arena size show, what are the limitations of scalability? During this session, we will open discussions on the new challenges that artists and sound engineers face when preparing and producing an immersive show.