Just like any other digital art form, the art of making sound combines a pair of artistically judging ears, and two creative skillful hands.
In Ancient Greek, the word “technê” is often translated as craft or art. As a philosophical concept, “technê” refers to making or doing, which we see more as “technique” or “craftsmanship” today. Also in the Chinese language, the word for Art – “藝術 (Yì Shù)” means “the skills and the technique”.
The multiple meanings or the “misunderstanding” of the word “technê” and “藝術 (Yì Shù)” is a perfect example of the process of making sound for film. We are making a piece of art with our innovative skills and perfection of technique.
Working with the perfect (green) tools.
When talking about the technique, the first probably would be the equipment. High-quality tools with fitting technical features are crucial for the project. After many years experimenting with different equipment, together with my colleague, Bertram Knappitsch, we built up three different packages with the capability of individual customizing for the needs of each project.
Regarding the environmental perspective, we only use rechargeable batteries. We only use equipment from high professional manufactures, which is capable of upgrade and has a long lifetime.
With some special features, we can deliver audio in the best quality for the highest artistic requirements. With our wideband full digital wireless microphone, it’s able to deliver a crystal clear audio through wireless in any environment. The unique “one-unit” solution provides the maximal flexibility and a wide range of microphones give let us well-prepared for any situation.
We have also developed our unique One-Unite 3D Audio system, which allows capturing the most authentic sound from the environment on location. Either for music production, for film production or for VR/AR projects, we will find the best solution for you.
If you would like to know more about our equipment, you can find it here: EQUIPMENT
Sensible Ears, Cool Mind.
Listen, the most simple but also most difficult task I need to deal with every day. Either listen to other people, listen to the music, listen to dialogue, listen to the recording or listen to the mix. But listen is more than just listening. It’s listening with a trained ear and years of experience. I listen to the smallest noise which might affect the quality of the recording, I listen to the sound of the instrument if it’s shinny and round, I listen to the voice if it’s crispy and clear, I listen to the mix to judge if the “cooking recipe” need a bit more this or a bit less that, if it’s in a good balance.
To be able to keep focusing on listening, I need to stay cool and calm the whole time. Just like a medical doctor is doing a surgery, whatever is happening outside, even if it’s on a battlefield, the doctor needs to stay calm and cool, and focus on the job. That who I am, situations can be difficult and tricky on a film set, during a music recording or also in the studio during sound design or mixing. The more pressured the situation is, the more I have to keep my mind calm and cool, and focusing on the job I need to do.
Also, like a medical doctor on a battlefield, the doctor cannot do everything alone, it is absolutely necessary to communicate with others what is being done and what still needs to be done. In any tricky time, communication is also the key to problem-solving. These are not techniques which we use directly to make a good sound, but keeping calm and cool, keeping communicating with the team is the crucial skill and the pre-condition to get a good sound.
Either Music, Film or AR/VR projects, techniques and skills are only one side of the coin. It’s not enough to only know how to build a house, but more important is to know, how the house should be. Art and Creativity is the other side of the golden coin.