The annual AES show takes place in San Francisco next month, and while the convention will have slant toward the business of "live sound," indications show the audio post scene is thriving. In recent weeks, a number of facilities have come online, while others have made significant upgrades.
Color opened, offering audio post for commercial and TV projects, as well as remixing and editing services for clients who prefer to use licensed music. Brothers Gary and Dean Levitt brought their South African spirit to new music production company GLDL Music. Full service audio house Sync Sound upgraded 10 of its Pro Tools systems, as well as added three Icon consoles. Film and television post house Vidiots opened a new 5.1 mix suite based around Pro Tools|HD, and LA Digital Post opened a new 5.1 room that joins the 30-plus Avid editorial suites it makes available for rent.
And that's just in New York!
Elsewhere, audio design and finishing facility Particle launched in Chicago, offering audio post and sound design services for commercials, longform projects, short films and TV shows. Venice, CA's RavensWork opened a new 5.1 room featuring a Fairlight DAW and console with the nonlinear video option. Virginia Beach, VA's Studio Center Worldwide Audio moved into a new 10,000-square-foot facility with nine studios. And in London, Goldcrest Post upgraded its Euphonix board for two-man operation.
Jeff Rosner at Color says his summer was surprisingly busy. The studio does not offer original music services, so Rosner says they can now collaborate with the audio houses he used to compete with at his last venture, music house Sacred Noise.
Joe Mendelson at Gramercy Post in NYC is also busy. Two years ago, he decided it was time to take the next step in order to grow his business and moved from a one-room studio into a four-room facility. Gramercy just completed work on 20 episodes of AandE's popular Inked reality series. Still, Mendelson is cautious about the future: "It's a really strange time and I don't know about the future. I feel it's month to month every month!"