Discover the latest industry news and audio post production.
We reflect on the widespread impact of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes and the importance of upskilling during uncertain times
August 28, 2023
Over 170,000 combined members of Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) & Writers Guild of America (WGA) are currently on strike for the first time in 60 years. Next to no progress has been made since talks about pay, working conditions, and safeguarding jobs from ever-advancing A.I began in May, leaving negotiations at a stalemate.
On August 11th, after 102 days on strike, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) who represent Hollywood’s leading studios released a summary of their proposals to the media & public. In response, the WGA issued a letter to members expressing disappointment and frustration toward the “single and only counteroffer” they received, stating:
We explained all the ways in which their counter’s limitations and loopholes and omissions failed to sufficiently protect writers from the existential threats that caused us to strike in the first place.
Productions in the U.S have seen the immediate and most severe effects. However, Hollywood’s global reach means ripples are being felt worldwide. Due to involved trade unions being American organisations, only productions funded by U.S studios, that also include union members are being effected. This has led to productions being halted both temporarily and indefinitely, writers rooms being shuttered, and release dates for highly anticipated titles such as Dune: Part 2 shifting into 2024. Demonstrating how long the effects of these strikes will be seen.
Even countries like the UK, which has seen huge industry growth in recent years, are not immune. Still recovering from economic issues such as Covid-19 and Brexit, whilst also being in the midst of a cost of living crisis. The fallout of the strikes is placing a huge strain on the UK workforce. A number of large scale US productions such as Deadpool 3, Wicked!, and How To Train Your Dragon are currently filming in the country, and are said to be impacted.
In times like this, one of the best ways to prepare yourself for similar situations that may arise in the future is to upskill. One huge upside of our craft is that sound is everywhere. Just a few years ago, we were all thrust into a global pandemic which led to huge changes and uncertainty in Film & TV production. Yet we still emerged on the other side.
Podcasting saw a huge boom in popularity during quarantine, which it has maintained to this day. Both independent and studio backed shows are in no shortage today, with every one of these needing at minimum, an editor. Some even need more advanced skills such as composition, or sound design. In a similar vein, Audiobooks have been around for a long time. Even Audio Drama’s have started popping up on streaming platforms recently. The long form nature of Audiobooks is great news for editors, and great practice for anyone with a desire to gain skills as a dialogue editor.
Game development is mostly unaffected by the current strikes. Meaning not only is it an industry which is incredible valuable and continually growing economically (Projected to make US$384.90bn in 2023), but it’s also seen steady hiring practices throughout recent turbulent times. All the skills we poses to perform audio post production roles are needed in the gaming sector, the main difference being Reaper is the DAW of choice for most developers. The biggest step you would need to take is learning audio engine software such as Wwise.
An area we see mentioned less often in situations like this, is Field recording. Not only is this a great way to either boost your personal sound libraries, or create sound libraries to sell. But it’s a great way to experiment with recording techniques and get the most out of your equipment.
If you’re interested in upskilling yourself, the sound design course we offer at 344 Audio is delivered within an active UK Audio Post workplace. And focuses on bolstering skills to perform any role in the post-production craft to an employable level, Guiding students through the process of securing professional work. For more information on our Audio Post Essentials Course, visit our website here.
While the immediate worldwide effect of the strikes can be a worrying thought, it’s important to remember that this will pass. Historically, when industrial action leads to setbacks, the comeback is greater. Our unwavering dedication will see a resurgence of opportunities, and collaboration, ushering in a sustainable new era to this beloved craft.
Our review of Acon's DeVerberate 3, an incredibly powerful reverb reduction plug-in.
August 21, 2023
Since visual media and content creation became more accessible, audio restoration has become a crucial part of the post-production craft. Reverb is commonly used to cement characters within soundscapes. However, It can also have a troublesome side. There are many factors which can result in audio being captured with too much reverb. Without the myriad of tools available today, this could lead to time consuming and sometimes expensive issues further down the line. Today on the 344 Audio blog, we’ll be diving into Acon Digital’s solution to this, DeVerberate.
Company: Acon Digital
Product: DeVerberate 3
Price: £79
Our Rating: 4.9/5
In recent years Acon have become a big player in audio restoration software. And with products like this, it’s easy to see why. DeVerberate 3 is an incredibly powerful reverb reduction plug-in. Driven by newly developed A.I algorithms, Acon continue their trend of developing products that focus on executing some of the more common, yet important tasks to a high standard without having to compromise on value for money.
In their own words:
DeVerberate is a reverb reduction plug-in that can attenuate or boost the reverberation that is already present in recorded material. The new version includes an entirely new algorithm based on deep learning for fully automatic reverb reduction of recorded dialogue. By training a neural network on thousands of high-quality voice recordings and a wide variety of acoustical surroundings, the artificial intelligence can automatically separate dialogue from reverb
Similarly to their Extract:Dialogue plug-in, the U.I layout is incredibly clean and well labelled. Allowing users to quickly familiarize themselves with the software and focus on the tasks at hand. You'll find a frequency spectrum showing the estimated spectrum of the reverb, as well as the spectrum of the input and output signals. The newly included early reflections filter, frequency emphasis filter, and 4 controllable settings; sensitivity, spectral smoothing, dry level, and reverb level.
The early reflections filter is a feature new to DeVerberate 3. Working in conjunction with the included algorithms to estimate the impulse response of the early reflections, then cancel them out. Engineers who frequently work on content captured in small rooms with minimal acoustic treatment will no doubt find this feature invaluable. Lastly, the frequency emphasis filter allows you to apply frequency weighting to the reverb spectrum. Consisting of high shelf, low shelf and two peak filters, it gives you the ability to fine tune the estimated reverb amount. Allowing users to keep vocal clarity in tact and customize the reverb profile to taste.
Naturally, audio restoration plug-ins are most commonly used to clean up dialogue. We tested DeVerberate on both a podcast edit, and dialogue edit to see how the software dealt with varying levels of processing. The included pre-sets serve as a great starting point, delivering very good results and leaving only a few small artifacts. Which, thanks to the fully automatic nature of the plug-in were very quickly eliminated after making some small adjustments on sensitivity, dry and reverb level settings.
When dialogue editing, one plugin we use frequently to control reverb on dialogue is Transient Master. It's great for subtly controlling reverb whilst maintaining vocal characteristics. However, if pushed too hard, obvious level drops can be heard. DeVerberate's high level of control over settings In such a quick and easy way, yields better results and helps keep the essential consistency of dialogue with next to no detriment to vocal clarity in most cases.
We would use this software as part of our dialogue and/or podcast editing workflow. Alongside occasionally using the plug-in for sound design work on vocals, particularly ghostly or demonic voices.
This is the second Acon Digital product we’ve reviewed. It’s clear that Acon design these products with efficiency, usability and value for money at the forefront of their mind. Instead of getting caught up overloading the software with niche features, or a distracting U.I, their focus is perfecting the science that serves as the solid foundation of DeVerberate.
The integration of their latest algorithm, with useful new features, and the large amount of adjustable settings leaves you with great results no matter the amount of processing needed. The only small thing left to desire being a change in colour scheme now most DAW’s have adopted darker palettes. Deverberate 3 is a fantastic tool, offering incredible value for money, and comparable results to industry standard de-reverb software.
DeVerberate 3 is available as VST, VST3 or AAX plug-in on both PC and Mac.
For more from Acon Digital and the purchase information for DeVerberate 3 follow these links:
https://acondigital.com/products/deverberate
A guide to the best sound design courses of 2023, comparing degrees and industry programs to help aspiring professionals choose the right path for their career in audio post-production.
August 14, 2023
One of the most common questions we get asked in 2023 is, ‘What course should I study to become a professional sound designer?’. Unfortunately, over the last few decades, as demand and interest in audio post production has increased, so has the amount of online misinformation making its way onto curriculums. Today we’ll look at some of the most viable options in 2023.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We have created an up-to-date list of the best sound design courses, including a more in-depth look at all the options to help you make the right decision.
The National Film & Television School is a UK institution based in Beaconsfield (Buckinghamshire), with campuses also in Cardiff, Glasgow and Leeds. NFTS offer a wide range of courses, all varying in length, qualifications and price. The sound design course offered here is a full time, 2-year Masters degree delivered on the main London campus.. The curriculum covers all areas of post-production and Sound Design. Also including various workshops for students to attend.
Whilst degrees commonly delve deeper into complex technical academia, Industry courses teach students the essential technical foundations which are then built upon with in-person learning and experience. The sound design course we offer at 344 Audio is a part time, 5-month Industry Course delivered from an active UK audio post workplace. The curriculum focuses on bolstering students skills to an employable level, and guiding them through the process of securing professional work. Whilst covering industry standard work flow and techniques in all areas of post-production.
The University of Southern California is ranked in the United States' top 30 universities. With a main campus based in Downtown Los Angeles, there couldn't be a more ideal location for a film school. USC's sound design course is a full time, 4-year course. With a curriculum focusing on developing a strong foundation in sound theory, technology, and practical application across various media platforms. Giving graduate the freedom to explore a sound design role in areas outside of Film & Television if desired.
Spirit Studios is a media training academy based in Manchester, UK. Formerly known as School of Sound Recording, Spirit Studios were one of the first places in the country to offer Industry courses in audio post-production. Their main campus is located in the heart of Manchester city centre and includes industry standard equipped facilities. The sound design course offered here is a part-time, 12 month course, delivered in person during the evenings.
Each student has a unique learning style. There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a course to help you pursue a career in Sound Design. If you would like to receive some guidance, set up a free discovery call with our team here.
We have created an up-to-date list of the best sound design courses on 344 Academy, including a more in-depth look at all the options to help you make the right decision.
We review Cut-it by HAL, a standalone software developed to revolutionize your workflow while re-conforming.
July 24, 2023
Conforming and re-conforming are essential (and somewhat dreaded) parts of the audio post-production process in which a revised cut of a project containing scene or edit changes, and a guide/reference track are passed from a video editor and integrated into your session. For some sound editors, just hearing the term 're-conform' is enough to send a shiver down their spine. However, thanks to the development of new tools in recent years, this process is nowhere near as tedious and time-consuming as in past times. Today we'll be taking a look at one such tool: Cut-it by HAL.
Company: HAL
Product: Cut-it
Price: £35
Our Rating: 4/5
Cut-it by HAL is a standalone software developed to revolutionize your workflow while re-conforming. With speed and ease of use being the focus of this tool, there are less advanced features included when compared to similar offerings on the market. That by no means stops Cut-it from being an incredibly useful application, nonetheless. HAL wanted to cater to a very specific use case here, which some would argue is a smart move. Executing one idea well could yield a better outcome than attempting to overextend themselves.
In their own words:
Cut-it is an app designed for sound editors who want to quickly detect and spot video cuts in their DAW. It is very helpful for editing the audio according to the cuts of a video.
Cut-it allows you to import either an EDL (Edit decision list) or a video file into the software. Most major video codecs seem to be compatible, with listed examples including Apple ProRes 422, DNxHD, H.264/5, and DV25/50. By default, the app will analyse the whole imported file but does have the choice to analyse only specific parts through the 'Timecode In/Out' settings. This could be a useful option to have in a scenario where only certain sequences have been changed. The 'Video Start Offset' setting, which allows you to input the starting timecode of a video file within your DAW session, is a nice inclusion, making the import of your Cut-it AAF even easier for users. From here, the last and most important settings are how you want scene changes to be visually represented. The two options are 'Markers' and/or 'Empty Clips'; whether to use both or just one of these comes down to personal preference. Once your settings are dialled in, hit 'Cut It' to export an AAF file, ready to import into your DAW of choice. HAL's website states this can be imported into 'most major DAWs', named examples include Pro Tools and Logic.
Some small features also worth mentioning are the inclusion of a dark and light theme for the software user interface. Plus, the option to change window size between small, medium, & large. Which is always appreciated and something we wish more software developers integrated into plug-ins and applications.
Saving time when identifying cuts and changes is great for sound designers and engineers working in a team. Software like Cut-it is perfect for doing just that. Potentially leaving the need for only one person to deal with re-conforming while others can focus on the heftier sound design or editing tasks. However, the area where this falls a touch short is after the changes have been identified; it would still take a good amount of manual labour to move things and fix any alterations. A future feature comparing multiple video sources and resulting in an AAF that only generate markers/clips during parts of the project that have changed. Or even better, to automatically makes said changes could be a good idea for re-conforming, especially.
We would use this software for both conforming and re-conforming. Helping us when conforming a new project by using the visual cues Cut-it provides to organize our session, allowing for easy navigation. When re-conforming, we would mostly use this to analyse specific sections of a project for any changes.
HAL has produced a great piece of software with lots of future potential here. A simple idea paired with good execution makes HAL a company to keep an eye out for, and Cut-it a great choice for conforming and/or re-conforming small to medium-sized projects. This offering could be especially attractive to sound editors who are beginning to get consistent work on short films or TV in the early stages of their career. Its features may seem limited in comparison to more expensive offerings available, but the price point is more than fair in terms of value for money.
Cut-it is a standalone software application and requires a free I-Lok account to use.
For more from HAL and the purchase information for Cut-it follow these links:
https://www.hal-audio.com/product/cut-it/
Budget-friendly equipment for aspiring sound designers.
July 17, 2023
In the ever evolving technological landscape of 2023 there can be an overwhelming amount of product choice and opinions within the audio marketplace. Whether you're a young freelance sound editor forging your future in the industry or a Sound Design veteran in Pro Tools, we all need a range of equipment to complete our projects. Today on the 344 Audio blog, we're going to throw our hat into the ring and put forward 2 suggestions for each piece of gear we believe essential in enabling you to begin your audio journey with the strongest possible foundation.
There are many pieces of equipment that are crucial to our craft. One such thing, is the audio interface. An interface allows you to record into your DAW of choice and more importantly, monitor the sound coming out of your system. There are a few things to have in mind when deciding on an audio interface. Things such as; How many inputs/outputs do I need? Which microphone type(s) will I be using?, will govern the specifications and features that you require. Here's our recommendations for audio interfaces we feel give some incredible value for money and are used by engineers at a wide range of stages in their careers.
Focusrite 2i2 - £120 - This option will more than likely be the first and most common recommendation, for good reason. Focusrite offer these beginner friendly models in a variety of in/out configurations dependant on your needs while remaining fair with their price points. The 2i2 is also a very sturdy interface known to last most people who invest in one a very generous amount of time. Provided you like the colour red, we're confident you wont be disappointed if you decide on a Focusrite interface.
Audient iD4 - £120 - Recently, Audient have been shaking up the home studio gear market with some of their offerings. The incredibly sleek and compact design will no doubt make these units look the part with other modern equipment setups and set them apart from most other competitors, whilst also offering the same functionality and specification with a common compliment they receive being how quiet the pre amp is. Although the Audient offering isnt as tried and tested as Focusrite, It's still a solid call and maybe a better option for you if aesthetic is an important part of your setup.
Now, studio monitors are something which have and always will be a subjective matter. The acoustic conditions of your room will also have a heavy role to play in how monitors can sound so what works for one person, may not for another. It's incredibly easy to hide behind fancy bells and whistles on certain gear in this day and age. Thankfully, monitors are not something this seems to have happened with (yet), making researching which monitors have stood the test of time and which have disrupted the status quo easier than other pieces of equipment. Before buying monitors we strongly suggest listening to something you're familiar with where possible. Getting a feel for the tone of the sound produced will be a huge help in your decision without much thought of the technical aspects.
ADAM Audio TV7 - £330 - ADAM Audio have been making waves since releasing their T series, a budget friendly version of their renowned AX and S series monitors. The impressive sound quality along with the well made and durable nature of these make them a worthy purchase for us.
JBL LSR 305 - £229 - These monitors are widely recommended as your first. To get such great detail on all frequency ranges for this price is very rare, with the biggest downside to these being some of the build materials feel a little low quality and wouldn't be as durable as other options.
The next area we're going to look at today is microphones. There will be thousands of options in every different price point here, and inevitably you will move on at some point and upgrade to the universally loved and used microphones when the time is right. Having said that, there are some budget friendly microphones which are extremely well made products and can give some of the biggest companies in the industry and good run for their money.
Aston Origin - £195 - Aston are a relatively new company on the scene (est. 2015) and their first microphone was released to almost universal acclaim. The Origin not only looks fresh and stylist, but delivers a very clean sound on a range of sources including instruments, vocals and props. We firmly believe this is one of the best budget friendly microphone options available market wide.
Sennheiser MKE 600 - £235 - Shotgun microphones can be incredibly expensive, whilst being incredibly important if you work in production sound. Having a good quality boom can make or break the dialogue quality of a project, put simply there are lots of shotgun mics aimed at videographers or YouTube creators (this one included to an extent). However for the price point, the specs and sound quality this short shotgun mic offers can't be overlooked.
Similar to studio monitors, headphones are a subjective matter for slightly different reasons. Comfort is a hugely important aspect, different job roles prefer or require different frequency responses, where you'll be recording/working may mean you require noise cancellation are some common issues to have in mind when considering which headphones are best. One thing we always look out for and be mindful of when considering headphones is if there is a wired option available. As with monitors, we suggest listening to something you're familiar with through any headphones you're considering before buying.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro - £110 - Most people seem to agree that the DT770's give a very solid performance in terms of sound quality and durability. Where they may fall down a little bit is their size, being quite bulky means they could get tiresome to wear after long periods of time and doesn't make for easy transportation.
Audio Technica ATH M50x - £130 - Similar to our other recommendation, the M50x headphones give a great all round sound quality, although a complaint we have heard a couple of times is the low end lacks a little punch. These headphones are incredibly comfortable to wear for a few hours at a time and can be folded up into a pouch for transport whilst compromising none of the build quality.
Being ready to record at the drop of a hat is crucial in any field recordists workflow. As much as we'd love to carry a fully kitted out recording setup at all times, there are many practical issues that would come with it. There are 2 sides to the portable recorder spectrum. Handheld recorders that come as an all-in-one unit with built in microphones, usually at the cost of noisier pre amps and some missing features. Then we have portable recorders which are small, lightweight recording devices that come with no built in microphones but commonly have better pre amps and recording format options. The most noticeable difference between handheld and portable recorders is often the price range, with handhelds being aimed towards the entry level needs and portable recorders aimed at higher end productions.
Zoom H6 - £300 - The H6 is a great tool to have in your arsenal. The changeable mic capsules (Mid-Side, XY included. Shotgun can be purchased) are a great addition. Plus, the inclusion of 4 external XLR inputs allows you to achieve a portable stereo or multi microphone set up without anywhere near as much bulk. We felt the biggest downside of the H6 were the slightly noisy pre amps when trying to record some quiet sources.
Sony PCM D100 (D50) - £600-£700 (£150-£250) - This option might be both a little harder to get your hands on and more expensive than the previous option. But the Sony PCM recorders are notoriously well crafted pieces of kit that field recordists have loved and sworn by for years. The only thing missing from these units are the ability to connect external XLR's, but the built in microphones are that sensitive (occasionally a little too sensitive) most of the time you wont be thinking about additional microphones.
Sound Devices MixPre-3 II - £999 - Some won't consider this a budget or beginner friendly option. If you're a look to the future type of person and know this is an industry you will still be around in 5 years to come. Investing in a Sound Devices MixPre is something that might be of interest to you.
Once you've decided which gear is going to be best for your career path, it is essential that you acquire accessories to allow for the capture of clean recordings and keep your gear in good condition. Important accessories to purchase are; Pistol Grip, Windshield(s), Microphone Stands, Carry cases/bags (For microphones, recorders, headphones) and Spare XLR cables.
Acquiring gear is just the start of your journey. Learning how to best use it and how to make sonic magic after the recording process is another path completely. Reading through instruction manuals, especially on electronic gear is something we cannot suggest strongly enough for safety and ease of use. Being able to efficiently navigate, use and export from your chosen DAW is another essential part of the process. If you're interested to learn more about this side of the process, our sound design course at 344 Audio teaches the professional skills to efficiently use Pro Tools and perform any role in the post-production craft. All from within an active UK Audio Post workplace. For more information on our Audio Post Essentials Course, book a free call here.
