I’ve been a viewer/listener of SoundWorks since 2008. It has opened my mind to so many ideas about sound design and music production for film and beyond. I own a sound design company now, but still remember (and actively lean on) references and lessons I’ve learned from SWC along the way. Lessons which I might never have heard about if Michael had not had the idea to create this series. Kudos, and thank you for the years of education. That all being said… I want to echo some of the reviews that I see here when I say that the production and mixing of this podcast needs some love.
First of all, and I cannot stress this enough: I DO NOT like the sound of the Dolby app!! I know that you are trying to promote it by using it in practice, but you have chosen to replace the nearly-ubiquitous “radio voice” sound of podcasts with a solution that sounds like content coming from a complete amateur who cannot afford real equipment. I mean no disrespect to content creators who are just starting off — I’ve been there! — but you are a long-running show about sound design who’s interview subjects are primarily other folks who work in sound and music. All of you should be able to set up a nice mic!Hell, in some episodes there are clearly fox being recorded over a phone or Zoom/Skype line... and I end up preferring their sound over the app.
As for the panels, I know there are others leaving reviews here who dislike the dynamic range. It doesn’t bother me as much, but I can certainly understand for those listening in a high noise environment like a car or the gym that riding the volume button can get annoying. Perhaps a little master bus compression couldn’t hurt?
I’m not sure if there is any deliberate intent in making this podcast sound more “homemade“, but given the subject matter and how much of an educational tool it has become for many listeners, I think you should be aiming high to model excellent sound production. when the host and many of the interview subjects use the Dolby app... it just doesn’t even remotely cut it.
I don’t want to end on such a negative note, so I will just say this: thank you. As much as I have to say about the production, it is only (literally and figuratively) one-star’s-worth of my thoughts about this podcast. You drew the curtain back on a craft and an industry that wound up being my chosen career and I will be forever grateful for that.
