Discover the latest industry news and audio post production.
A detailed review of the Sony PCM-D100, a high-resolution portable audio recorder offering exceptional sound quality, robust design, and versatile recording options for professional field recording.
November 23, 2021
Company: SONY
Product: PCM D-100
Price: £549.00
Our Rating: 4.7/5
Welcome back to the 344 Audio blog. As sound professionals, it’s crucial that we equip ourselves with the best tools for the job at hand, be it monitors, computer systems or microphones.
Whilst not every piece of gear is essential, there are some items that we believe that everyone should have in their locker. Portable audio recorders are one those pieces of equipment, and today we are pleased to share with you a product review of the coveted Sony PCM-D100 portable high resolution audio recorder.
The Sony PCM-D100 audio recorder offers high quality recording, both in the sonic character and fidelity of its microphones, and the high-resolution formats of recording it offers users (192kHz/24bit PCM and DSD).This recorder is suitable for a range of different audio applications including sound effects recording, live music & theatre recording and also for journalists when newsgathering or recording voice memos, interviews etc.
The PCM-D100 has 32 GB of built-in flash memory and a SD Card/Memory Stick slot for additional storage, and features of robust design that should keep its internal workings protected from the knocks and bumps that will inevitably occur when being put through its paces in the field.
The design of this recorder is compact and discrete, with a clean black and silver colour pallet that doesn't draw too much attention. Whilst the aesthetics of an audio recorder may not seem like the most important thing, it can actually tell you a lot about the design quality of the product as a whole. If they haven't taken the time to consider how the product looks, then that indicates there may be other areas that have potentially been overlooked as well.
The need for discretion in audio field recording is also highly important, as we want to capture sounds in their most natural form. If we have loads of antennas and other bits sticking out then it makes it obvious to the people around us that we are recording and could potentially draw the wrong kind of attention, ruining an otherwise great recording.
Overall, the build quality is solid and you feel like you are working with a proper piece of kit when you have this in your hand. So far so good for Sony!
In terms of sonic quality, the PCM-D100 sounds absolutely top notch and doesn't have any of the common issues with portable recorders such as a harsh and flimsy top end or difficulty coping with extreme dynamics. The recorder gives everything a natural and open sound, whilst maintaining a sense of "chunky" and "warm" low end.
We have also been especially impressed with how it preserves the stereo field of a recording, allowing you to capture sounds with maximum width, perfect for field recording in areas with lots of peripheral activity or for recording ambiences. This is also helped by the inclusion of 3 different mic position options that the user can switch between to meet their needs, XY, spaced pair and wide XY.
Having such an extensive range of recording formats is also a great feature, as you can simply switch between different sample rates and codecs through the push of a button depending on what the situation calls for. Whilst many recorders have this feature, the Sony PCM-D100 makes this process very simple, and its backlit LED screen is easy to work with in various light levels.
The robust design of the Sony PCM-D100 means that you can record with confidence, and perhaps embrace working in more rugged, bumpy or watery environments than you would normally. Hiking up a bumpy trail to capture some mountain winds? No problem. Venturing into a dripping cave or dusty abandoned factory? Bring it on!
Given the price tag, the Sony PCM-D100 will be more suited to seasoned audio professionals who need a high quality piece of kit that can survive being put through its paces regularly. If you are just getting to grips with field recording than it might be more appropriate for you to work with a less expensive product until you feel ready to move to something a bit more high-end.
One thing that is worth mentioning is that there seem to be a few different versions available for purchase, and not all of them will come with a tripod (ours didn't). We encountered some problematic handling noise during our recent field recording session which could have been remedied by the use of a tripod or handle, so its worth just double checking what will be included with the product before making purchase.
Overall the Sony PCM D-100 is a great piece of kit and will meet all of your portable high quality audio recording needs. Whilst the £549.00 purchase price may steer some in the direction of cheaper alternatives such as the Zoom H6, we strongly believe that its worth spending the extra money to get the Sony, as the audio and design quality far exceeds the competition. If your a committed and active audio professional then this is the recorder for you!
For a more detailed look at this product and its specifications, you check out its product page on the Sony website: https://pro.sony/en_GB/products/portable-digital-recorders/pcm-d100
We hope you enjoyed checking out this review!
Explore the top 10 cities worldwide for building a successful career in audio engineering, from music hubs to film and tech centers.
November 23, 2021
Your physical location can be a huge deciding factor in the opportunities you have access to. This is just as true in the audio industry as it is with any other, That's why we have put together this list of the 10 best cities for a career in audio engineering.
This historic and uber-cool city is revered the world over for its nightlife and unparalleled electronic music scene. With a 24/7 party culture and some of the worlds best-known techno clubs, Berlin is sure to be a fantastic location for anyone interested in a career in electronic music. There is also a significant presence of the tech industry here, which should bring opportunities related to sound design and audio programming at companies such as Native Instruments.
Frequently ranked amongst the best European cities to live in, Amsterdam offers all the attractions of a major capital city in a small and compact package. With a thriving creative arts community and rich musical history, Amsterdam should provide no shortage of opportunities for audio professionals. As well as the rich line up of clubs and music venues, Amsterdam also offers the world-renowned STEIM (Studio For Electro Instrumental Music) which is one of the few places on earth that actively pioneers the development of new electronic musical instruments.
As one of the world's major metropolitan centers, no list would be complete without London. Whilst this city may come with a high cost of living, it makes up for it with some of the most well-known entities in music and entertainment including Pinewood Studios, Abbey Road, Air studios, the Barbican center, the west end and most of the major record label headquarters. As the UK capital, you will find major players in everything from TV, film production, post-production, advertising, live music, and recording studios. In recent years the gaming and software industry has also become a prominent feature with companies such as Sony Studios, Media Molecule, and Spitfire audio all setting up camp in or around London.
Birthplace of the industrial revolution and some of the UK's most successful musical artists, Manchester has made a name for itself as a cheaper and friendlier alternative to London. With the recent relocation of the BBC to Salford, and the influx of fresh creative talent the city is home to an increasingly large portion of the UK film and television industry, and there are numerous post houses and audio facilities to support this. Manchester also contains a huge amount of music venues and recording studios that make this perhaps the most exciting city in the UK for new music. Oh, and did we mention that we are based here too!
It's no surprise that the largest city in America is also perhaps its biggest centre for the music and entertainment industries. New York is home to some of the world's most well-known recording studios, record labels, and iconic music venues such as Madison Square Garden, and Carnegie Hall. The Borough of Brooklyn is a hotbed of super trendy music venues and tech startups making it one of the fastest-growing industrial areas of the USA. New York is also the centre for advertising in the USA so expect to find significant opportunities relating to sound design, music licensing, and sync.
Nashville is a name that has long been associated with the American recording industry, and it is the dream of many to go there to record in one of its legendary studios. With over 340 studios in the Nashville area, Nashville will hold plenty of opportunities for sound engineers for both studios and live sound alike.
In many ways Los Angeles is similar to New York in that is is a huge urban centre that acts as a business hub for the west coast. LA, however, has the added advantage of being the global centre for the film industry, with all of the major studios being located here. If you are pursuing a career in audio post, film audio then LA is surely the city for you. If you can handle the traffic that is.
Travelling up the west coast a few hundred miles and you will hit Vancouver. This picturesque city is in many ways Canada's answer to LA, and many major studios use Vancouver as a base to shoot large scale productions. Whilst the cost of living is still high, the lower population, and all-round friendliness of Canadians make Vancouver a more attractive home than LA. There is also a large amount of gaming and technology companies based around the Vancouver area, making this city a great pick for those interested in an audio career in those fields. Having the Canadian wilderness on your doorstep would also be a great asset for sound designers who are looking to do some field recording.
Known as "The City Of Dreams" Mumbai has become famous for its glamorous association with Bollywood and its frantic nightlife. A frequent tour stop for some of the world's best-known DJs and Bands Mumbai boasts an impressive roster of venues for those interested in a career in live sound. Mumbai also contains many great studios and audio production companies, as well as some of India's leading places to learn audio production like the TAG institute. As India continues to develop as a nation Mumbai will surely become one of the world's hottest destinations for a career in audio.
Last but not least we have Melbourne. Frequently ranking amongst the world's most liveable cities and with a gorgeous climate and laid back people it's easy to see why. Melbourne has long been the home of Australia's electronic music scene and it even has its own genre "Melbourne House". Aside from clubbing Melbourne also has several of Australia's top audio post studios and is quickly becoming Australias centre for large scale film production with films such as The Matrix reloaded and Mad Max: Fury Road being made here. Melbourne is surely a top city for a career in audio down under.
We hope you enjoyed this article!
Discuss key sound design elements, worldbuilding, and timelines in a spotting session to align audio with the director’s vision.
November 23, 2021
A spotting session is where the director and the audio team meet to discuss the sonic elements of a film. This usually means watching through the project and marking elements that need to be recorded/edited/created. Spotting for sound is an extremely important part of the sound design process, as it establishes a clear communication of the director’s vision to the audio team. It also allows you to make firm creative choices early on, leaving more time to spend on design/recording/editing, rather than correcting generalised notes.
Here are 5 key things to discuss with your director during a sound design spotting session.
Every film has its own unique tone & aesthetic. You should discuss what feelings you are trying to convey to the audience with the sound design. Is the film gritty and realistic, or is it more light-hearted and fun? Even two films within the same genre can be wildly different in terms of tone and atmosphere, so it's crucial to get a solid understanding of the tone of the project. Discuss what specific devices will be used to create the atmosphere of the film. Think about how the sound design will complement other elements such as lighting, colour scheme, and cinematography. You may also want to look at other films for references and inspiration.
You should talk about the world that the characters inhabit, and build up a picture of the sounds they make up that world. What is the setting of your film? Is the film set in a different country or time period? What kind of background sounds are expected in this world? The location and time period of the story will have a huge impact on the kind of sounds that will be encountered by the characters, and it's up to you to pull the audience into the world of the film with sound. This is most obvious in genres like sci-fi and fantasy, but even in fictional worlds more similar to our own, it pays not to overlook small details. For example, using an ambulance siren from the wrong country can really break the immersion.
Watch through the project with a pen and paper and mark specific moments for sound design. Make a note of the time code, the action occurring on-screen and the character the action refers to. For example - 01:04:52:00 - John - Picks up the photo frame. These moments could be simple things like character interactions with objects/props, or they could be bigger moments that push the narrative forward. Get the director to say a few words of guidance for each moment and write them down. This will give you a reference to work from when doing the first pass, and also provides further indication of the director's intentions for a scene. Even small moments like a door being closed can be used by the director to convey emotion and subtext.
The spotting session is the perfect time to flag up any problem areas within the film. These could be issues such as compromised dialogue recordings, poor location sound or continuity errors within the film itself. There may also be certain scenes that are waiting upon delivery of VFX. Talk through all the issues you may encounter and put together a plan for how you will solve them.
Before the spotting session is complete, you should discuss the timeline for the completion of the project, and agree on milestones with the director. For example, what is the project deadline? When should the first mix be delivered, and what is expected in the first mix, etc.
You should both be clear on exactly what you are responsible for and what the delivery requirements are.
We hope you find these tips useful. Have fun implementing them into your spotting sessions.
Learn how to create binaural beats to enhance relaxation, focus, and mental well-being.
November 23, 2021
In recent years, Binaural Beats have gained prominence in the health & wellness community and have crossed over from the fringes into the mainstream.
Whilst the research on the full applications of Binaural beats is still in its early phase, they have become extremely popular online with some videos getting millions of views, and alongside other phenomena like ASMR, it shows the growing awareness of the role that sound plays in shaping people's mindstates and mental wellbeing.
In this article, we will share with you some basic processes for creating your own Binaural beats.
Before we dive into the process of creating them, we should first talk about exactly what Binaural beats are and how they work.
In short, Binaural Beats are pieces of sound that are designed to encourage the introduction of different brainwave patterns in the brain. A Binaural Beat contains two sound waves that are close together in frequency, with a different wave being transmitted to each ear by headphones.
The brain processes these two frequencies both independently and in unison, and "hears" the difference between them as a wave or pulse, creating the perceived effect of the Binaural Beat.
"A binaural beat is an illusion created by the brain when you listen to two tones with slightly different frequencies at the same time. The two tones align with your brain waves to produce a beat with a different frequency. This frequency is the difference in hertz (Hz) between the frequencies of the two tones."
- Dan Brennan, MD.
See below for a basic example of the frequencies involved in a 12 Hz Alpha wave Binaural Beat:
Left Ear - 104 Hz sine wave.
Right Ear - 116 Hz sine wave.
12 Hz difference = Alpha wave
The perceived effects of Binaural Beats are varied and encompass a wide range of different moods and emotional sensations. Whilst Binaural Beats are perhaps most commonly associated with states of meditation and relaxation, they can also be used to increase creative and positive thinking, high-level cognition, problem-solving, peak awareness and memory recall, with these effects making Binaural Beats increasingly popular with top-level business professionals and other high-performance individuals.
The five different brainwave states associated with Binaural Beats, alongside their effects and corresponding frequencies are listed below:
Gamma - 30-100Hz - High-level information processing, Cognitive Enhancement, Improved Memory Recall, Increased awareness, Transcendental States.
Beta - 14 - 30 Hz - Improved focus and attention, High-level cognition, Analytical thinking & problem solving, Stimulates energy and motivation.
Alpha - 8 - 14 Hz - Relaxed mind, Reduced Stress, Positive thinking, Accelerated learning, Flow states.
Theta 4 - 8 Hz - Rem sleep, Deep relaxation and inner pace, Meditation, Enhanced creativity, Dreamlike states.
Delta - 1 - 4 Hz - Deep sleep, Pain relief, anti-ageing, Reduced cortisol, Access to the unconscious mind.
As illustrated in the previous paragraphs, Binaural Beats are constructed of 2 close frequency sign waves going into the left and right ears simultaneously, which makes the process of actually creating one very simple.
Create two mono channels in your DAW and pan one hard right and the other hard left.
Load in a sine wave generator into each channel. Decide which wave state you want to introduce (Alpha, Gamma, Theta etc) Set the frequency of each sine wave so that the difference is within the range of one of the wave states.
We will return to our example from earlier to create an Alpha wave Binaural Beat.
Left Ear - 104 Hz sine wave.
Right Ear - 116 Hz sine wave.
12 Hz difference = Alpha wave
Decide how long you want the Binaural Beat track to be and export your audio with the desired duration.
In our example below, we have chosen to export a 2-minute selection but many Binaural beats tracks you can find online are much longer with times over 30 minutes - 1 hour.
Well done, you have successfully created your own Binaural Beat! Now it's time to put your headphones on, find a comfortable listening space and let yourself become fully immersed in the sounds.
We hope you enjoyed this article!
344 Audio recently rebranded BNI with a custom audio logo and theme music, capturing the journey of a new member and reflecting the brand’s values of growth, trust, and collaboration.
November 23, 2021
We are very proud to share an audio rebranding project that we completed recently for a large multinational organisation - BNI. The visual branding was completed by Morgan Stephenson who worked closely with us to achieve the brand vision.
344 Audio was responsible for creating an Audio Logo and Theme Music for the company.
The brief for the Theme Music was to express the journey of a new BNI member, from the initial entry to their first event, to meeting fellow business people, to eventually achieving great successes in their business. The music is structured in a way that it can be adapted and used in many different circumstances by the organisation.
The Audio Logo brief was to create a memorable ident that people would associate with the brand's desire for constant growths, trust and collaboration were also important themes to project. The logo had to give the listener the impression of hearing B N I, without actually hearing it. The 3 note musical element of the piece was developed to eventually form part of the Theme Music.
Here is what Morgan had to say about working with us:
I recently commissioned Alex from 344 Audio to work on a large audio branding project for one of my most important clients spanning 70+ countries.
As a producer, it’s important to me that I build sustainable and trusting relationships, with experts in their field. Alex certainly didn’t disappoint. At every point, Alex maintained the highest ethical and professional standards.
Importantly though, he always took the time to listen to my own perspective on the project and my experience, and more importantly the experience of my valued client. He never took things off in his own direction as creatives often do with an; “I’m the creative, and I know best“ attitude, which is commonplace in our industry.
Instead, he carefully took into consideration all of the opinions on direction and even the target audience with their expectations. After doing that, Alex still managed to masterfully create his own unique vision, which so cleverly matched what we wanted to achieve at the same time.
I’ve worked with composers for nearly 20 years and rarely do I find creatives that I can connect with in the way I did to Alex on this project. Even in the last moments of the process making last minute mixing changes because I felt it needed one last tweak to percussion. He didn’t have to make those changes, but being the professional he is, it had to be perfect for us.
Thank you again Alex and 344 audio for such an amazing job, and for making me look good too.
I can’t wait to work with you again in the very near future.
Morgan J. Stephenson | Producer
This will now be seen in 70+ countries by hundreds of thousands of members of the organisation, it’s all very exciting!
