Tonebenders Podcast

House Of The Dragon is one of the biggest shows on TV and the sound of the show is one of the big reasons for that success. Al Sirkett (Re-Recording Mixer/Supervising Sound Editor), Barnaby Smyth (Foley Artist /Foley Supervisor), Ruth Knight (Sound Editor) and Doug Cooper (Re-Recording Mixer) joined me for an in-person interview to talk about the immense challenge of building the world of Westeros through sound. They also discuss the many different kinds of fire recordings they used, and some keys scenes including The Battle of Rook's Rest, The Red Sowing and Blood and Cheese's mission. Big thanks to the Motion Picture Sound Editors, for sponsoring this series of episodes featuring the interviews I did while in England. To learn more about the Motion Picture Sound Editors, you can go to https://www.mpse.org. They are doing great work to support and advocate for sound editors all around the world. SPONSOR: The Cargo Cult’s Matchbox 2 is a change management tool that is invaluable when doing comforms. It reveals the differences, reports on the damage, and then re-times your sound mix, saving you incalculable amounts of time. To Learn all about the new features in Matchbox 2, head over to https://www.thecargocult.nz , to learn more about Matchbox 2 and pulldown the free 15 day trial. Matchbox 2 is exactly what you have been waiting for. Spend your time being creative and let Matchbox handle the conforming. Episode Notes: 
https://tonebenderspodcast.com/314-mpse-presents-house-of-the-dragon/ Podcast Homepage: www.tonebenderspodcast.com 
 This episode is hosted by Timothy Muirhead

Arcane is a ground breaking animated series, especially when it comes to how the show used music and sound design, working together, all the way through the process. In this special conversation from the Riot Games Campus, in California, Supervising Sound Editors (Eliot Connors & Brad Beaumont) sat down with the series composers (Alex Seaver and Alex Temple) to talk about how each of their contributions, inspired the way the others approached their work. They discuss how the musical themes evolved throughout the series, how the sound design had to be based in organic sounds and their desire to make the sound live up to the impressive visuals of Arcane. If you enjoy this episode, go back to eps 309 for more Arcane talk, with the re-recording mixers Penny Harold & Andy Lange. SPONSORS: 
The O-MINI Microphone is a miniature omnidirectional electret microphone. Each one is hand made by Chris Trevino, a practicing field recordist, and a really engaged member of the sound community. He puts a lot of work into making and testing each mic to ensure they live up to his high standards. They are ultra-sonic capable, which makes manipulating your recordings with them a lot of fun. They are extremely affordable. At $150 American for a stereo matched pair, they offer a lot of value. Check it out at www.chrisatrevino.com/store/omini Check out one of Sound Ideas latest libraries The General HD vol 6, which brings over 4000 new effects, to add to your arsenal of sounds: from the deepest depths of the ocean, to the highest peaks of mountains and well beyond. Whatever the mood or circumstance, General HD 6 will cover it. This new library comes with rich metadata in UCS format, and is available in 24bit 96k resolution. Head over to https://www.sound-ideas.com/Product/2465/General-HD-6-Sound-Effects-Collection to learn more. Episode Notes:https://tonebenderspodcast.com/313-the-sound-design-amp-music-of-arcane-season-2/ Podcast Homepage: 
tonebenderspodcast.com 
 This episode is hosted by Timothy Muirhead

Hospitals are really hard to create sound design for. The walla and general soundscape of a hospital is very different than any other location, because they are dense but not necessarily loud. Plus there are lots of medical machines that need to be accounted for. In the new HBO emergency room drama, The Pitt, this challenge is amplified as the show takes place entirely inside an especially intense ER. Supervising Sound Editor Bryan Parker and Re-Recording Mixers Ed Carr & Todd Grace, tell us how they used the sounds of The PItt to increase the tension, emotions and payoffs..... all with almost no score in the series. No detail was left to chance, as a map of the fictional emergency room was used extensively by the sound team, to motivate panning and what kind of sounds are heard by the audience. The use of sound design to draw you into the story is one of The PItt's greatest triumphs. SPONSORS: Check out one of Sound Ideas latest libraries The General HD vol 6, which brings over 4000 new effects, to add to your arsenal of sounds: from the deepest depths of the ocean, to the highest peaks of mountains and well beyond. Whatever the mood or circumstance, General HD 6 will cover it. This new library comes with rich metadata in UCS format, and is available in 24bit 96k resolution.  Head over to https://www.sound-ideas.com/Product/2465/General-HD-6-Sound-Effects-Collection to learn more. The Soundminer Database Companion, or SMDBC, is an amazing App that is extremely easy to use. SMDBC simply cleans up your Soundminer Databases, saving you time and effort on all your future searches. Simple as that. It does not erase anything from your drives, unless you want it to. You can learn everything it can do by heading over to https://smdbc.com While there you can get 10% off your purchase, by using the discount code: TONEBENDERS Episode Notes: 
https://tonebenderspodcast.com/312-the-pitt/ Podcast Homepage: 
https://tonebenderspodcast.com 
 This episode is hosted by Timothy Muirhead

With "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina" hitting theatres, it is a good time to talk to the sound team that, for some, have been working on the John Wick films for over a decade. Supervising Sound Editor Mark Stoeckinger, Re-Recording Mixers Andy Koyama & Casey Genton and Sound Designer Luke Gibleon discuss designing massive gun sfx, the challenge of each film getting bigger that the last, their relationship with the franchise's directors and how they find ways to make room for the huge music and sound effects that give the John Wick films their signature sound. SPONSORS: Sound Ideas Annual Memberships put Sound Ideas’ full range of over 600,000 sound effects, music tracks, and production elements at your fingertips with three tiers to choose from based on your Sound Design needs. The Creator’s Access Plan is perfect for the independent creator working on a smaller scale, looking for high-quality sound options at a great price. With up to 100 Downloads, you’ll enjoy significant savings compared to buying individual sounds, and have free rein over Sound Ideas’ extensive collection. Go to https://www.sound-ideas.com/Collection/105/Memberships/0/2 and use the promo code TONEBENDERS50 for 50% off of any Sound Ideas’ Annual Membership, to amplify your future productions.
The O-MINI Microphone is a miniature omnidirectional electret microphone. Each one is hand made by Chris Trevino, a practicing field recordist, and a really engaged member of the sound community.  He puts a lot of work into making and testing each mic to ensure they live up to his high standards.  They are ultra-sonic capable, which makes manipulating your recordings with them a lot of fun.  They are extremely affordable.  At $150 American for a stereo matched pair, they offer a lot of value. Check it out at https://www.chrisatrevino.com/store/omini If you are in The Toronto area on June 13th, come out to the Back To The Future Screening screening with one of the original sound editors, Scott Hecker, in attendance for a Q&A about how they came up with all the iconic sounds in this classic film. If you are interested in going to this screening, to see a great film and find out what being a MPSE member is all about, go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vff-mpse-celebrates-back-to-the-futures-40th-anniversary-tickets-1258511534879?aff=oddtdtcreator to claim your ticket. Use the Code “VFFTONEBENDERS” for your free tickets. Episode Notes: 
https://tonebenderspodcast.com/311-the-sound-legacy-of-the-john-wick-films/ Podcast Homepage: https://www.tonebenderspodcast.com 
 
This episode is hosted by Timothy Muirhead

I was able to get 4 busy dialog editors all in a room together, to discuss the highs and lows of working on dialog for films, series and games. They talk about the tools they use, the road blocks they regularly encounter and the ways they use problem solving and creativity to get clean dialog tracks for each project they work on. Sophie Mapplebeck, Louise Burton, Robbie Mann & Michael Maroussas share their experiences working on everything from blockbuster films, AAA games and prestige series. Big “thanks” to the Motion Picture Sound Editors, for sponsoring this series of episodes featuring the interviews I did while in England.  To learn more about the Motion Picture Sound Editors, you can go to www.MPSE.org.  They are doing great work to support and advocate for sound editors around the world. If you are in The Toronto area on June 13th, come out to the Back To The Future Screening screening with one of the original sound editors, Scott Hecker, in attendance for a Q&A about how they came up with all the iconic sounds in this classic film. If you are interested in going to this screening, to see a great film and find out what being a MPSE member is all about, go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vff-mpse-celebrates-back-to-the-futures-40th-anniversary-tickets-1258511534879?aff=oddtdtcreator to claim your ticket. Use the Code "VFFTONEBENDERS" for your free tickets. Episode Notes: https://tonebenderspodcast.com/310-mpse-presents-dialog-editors-roundtable-v2/ 
Podcast Homepage: www.tonebenderspodcast.com 
This episode is hosted by Timothy Muirhead

Penny Harold and Andy Lange tell us about their work as the re-recording mixers, on Season 2 of the hit Netflix animated series, Arcane. This is a show with intense dialog, massive sound design, soaring songs, and a bombastic score. Wranglng all of these elements into a cohesive whole, was a fun challenge. Arcane's groundbreaking artwork and visual style, made it a tall order to match that level with the series' soundscape. Penny and Andy discuss their workflows, how they work as a team on the mix stage and the importance of finding the perfect compressor! SPONSORS: Sound Ideas Annual Memberships put Sound Ideas’ full range of over 600,000 sound effects, music tracks, and production elements at your fingertips with three tiers to choose from based on your Sound Design needs. The Creator’s Access Plan is perfect for the independent creator working on a smaller scale, looking for high-quality sound options at a great price. With up to 100 Downloads, you’ll enjoy significant savings compared to buying individual sounds, and have free rein over Sound Ideas’ extensive collection. Go to www.sound-ideas.com/Collection/105/Memberships/0/2 and use the promo code TONEBENDERS50 for 50% off of any Sound Ideas’ Annual Membership, to amplify your future productions. The O-MINI Microphone is a miniature omnidirectional electret microphone. Each one is hand made by Chris Trevino, a practicing field recordist, and a really engaged member of the sound community.  He puts a lot of work into making and testing each mic to ensure they live up to his high standards.  They are ultra-sonic capable, which makes manipulating your recordings with them a lot of fun.  They are extremely affordable.  At $150 American for a stereo matched pair, they offer a lot of value. Check it out at https://www.chrisatrevino.com/store/omini 
Episode Notes: 
https://tonebenderspodcast.com/309-the-mixing-team-for-arcane-season-2/ Podcast Homepage: www.tonebenderspodcast.com 
This episode is hosted by Timothy Muirhead

While in London, Tonebenders was invited to Wave Studios in Soho, to talk to Johnnie Burn and Paul Davies. I brought them together, to talk about their varied approaches to finding the "sonic voice" of each project they work on. They discuss the importance of a good relationship with a director, spotting sessions, pouring over a script well in advance, identifying the ambitions of a film and lots more. SPONSOR: Big "thanks" to the Motion Picture Sound Editors, for sponsoring this series of episodes featuring the interviews I did while in England.  To learn more about the Motion Picture Sound Editors, you can go to www.MPSE.org.  They are doing great work to support and advocate for sound editors around the world. If you are in The Toronto area on June 13th, come out to the Back To The Future Screening screening with one of the original sound editors, Scott Hecker, in attendance for a Q&A about how they came up with all the iconic sounds in this classic film. If you are interested in going to this screening, to see a great film and find out what being a MPSE member is all about, go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vff-mpse-celebrates-back-to-the-futures-40th-anniversary-tickets-1258511534879?aff=oddtdtcreator to claim your ticket. Use the Code "VFFTONEBENDERS" for your free tickets. Episode Notes: https://tonebenderspodcast.com/308-mpse-presents-finding-a-films-sonic-voice-with-johnnie-burn-amp-paul-davies/ 
Podcast Homepage: www.tonebenderspodcast.com 
This episode is hosted by Timothy Muirhead

Gina Zdanowicz, author of The Game Audio Strategy Guide, shares insights on crafting superior audio for games, emphasizing collaboration and practical resources. Andrew Knight-Hill, co-author of The Art of Sound, discusses the interplay between sound design and electroacoustic music, highlighting creative processes and flexible workflows. Both authors reflect on overcoming imposter syndrome and the importance of community in the sound industry, while sharing personal journeys and the challenges of writing engaging narratives in their fields.

After over 300 episodes talking mostly to sound editors and re-recording mixers, let's get to know what the people we work in parallel with, are going through in their gigs. Tim talks to two successful music supervisors, Jody Colero and Michael Perlmutter, about the trials and road blocks that they encounter overseeing the music in high end series & films. They discuss how important a good music editor is, important ways they can save the post production process time and money and why it is important to get picture editors clearable music early on. Plus, the perils of people hoping they can get an expensive song on the cheap, because their brother's, best friend's, wife used to date the bass player from the band. Spoiler alert: it rarely actually works out. SPONSOR: Sound Ideas Annual Memberships put Sound Ideas’ full range of over 600,000 sound effects, music tracks, and production elements at your fingertips with three tiers to choose from based on your Sound Design needs. The Creator’s Access Plan is perfect for the independent creator working on a smaller scale, looking for high-quality sound options at a great price. With up to 100 Downloads, you’ll enjoy significant savings compared to buying individual sounds, and have free rein over Sound Ideas’ extensive collection. Go to www.sound-ideas.com/Collection/105/Memberships/0/2 and use the promo code TONEBENDERS50 for 50% off of any Sound Ideas’ Annual Membership, to amplify your future productions.
 Episode Notes: https://tonebenderspodcast.com/306-music-supervisors/ 
 Podcast Homepage: www.tonebenderspodcast.com 
 This episode is hosted by Timothy Muirhead

For the film Becoming Led Zeppelin, a documentary about the formative years of the group, the sound of the band was one of the most important elements. Supervising Sound Editor Nick Bergh had to figure out how to get the best possible audio quality from source material that was over half a century old. From tracking down quarter inch tapes in Australia, to finding the perfect pressings of albums, and having the National Archives hand deliver historical recordings, extraordinary efforts were given to make everything in the film sound it's authentic best. Nick tells us about how he personally did all the audio transfers, how he dealt with mostly mono material for use in an IMAX mix and lots more. SPONSOR: Sound Ideas Annual Memberships put Sound Ideas’ full range of over 600,000 sound effects, music tracks, and production elements at your fingertips with three tiers to choose from based on your Sound Design needs. The Creator’s Access Plan is perfect for the independent creator working on a smaller scale, looking for high-quality sound options at a great price. With up to 100 Downloads, you’ll enjoy significant savings compared to buying individual sounds, and have free rein over Sound Ideas’ extensive collection. Go to www.sound-ideas.com/Collection/105/Memberships/0/2 and use the promo code TONEBENDERS50 for 50% off of any Sound Ideas’ Annual Membership, to amplify your future productions.
 Episode Notes: https://tonebenderspodcast.com/305-becoming-led-zeppelin/ 
Podcast Homepage: www.tonebenderspodcast.com 
 This episode is hosted by Timothy Muirhead.