“ANYTHING YOU CAN HEAR IS MY THING.”
1. SoundPfeil
SoundPfeil stands for high-quality, versatile and effective audio productions.
Because
SoundPfeil is fast & flexible.
We have more than 10 years of experience in all the areas we offer, in our premises that can be used around the clock, including professional equipment, see Gallery.
Thanks to direct agreements without intermediaries and a quick understanding of what the customer wants, we can start work straight away.
As every production step is in our hands and is carried out in-house in our studios, we can quickly implement feedback and any change requests.
Unusual working hours are also possible by arrangement, for example we can put in a night shift if required (for an extra charge). This means that the video can be finalized and passed on to the customer the very next morning.
So no time is lost. An initially seemingly impossible deadline can be met.
You can find out more about the general process of a collaboration here.
SoundPfeil is versatile.
From the very beginning, we have not been limited to a single area of activity. We use our versatility every day.
SoundPfeil is very broadly positioned, from recordings in the recording studio to music productions, sound design and the finishing touches in post-production.
This applies to musical genres (corporate, rock, pop, jazz, hip hop, etc.) as well as to the desired emotion and exploitation (cinema, radio, TV, YouTube, etc.).
We are also experienced in the areas of concept and text and can contribute creatively.
An overview of all the services and products we offer can be found here. Impressions of our work can be found under references.
SoundPfeil is the perfect extension. For you and your team.
There are many production companies and lone fighters who manage official productions in small teams or alone with relatively few resources and often limited time. In film, there is often the following pattern:
Good idea - strong cinematography - amateurish sound - questionable choice of music - unprofessional editing and mixing.
The overall effect could be better.
The reasons for this are understandable.
For a few film productions, having an audio or music producer on board is not worthwhile.
For many, it is simply not worth having an "audio person" permanently on board and financing a sound studio if they only use it infrequently. Others may have a constant need, but budgets are rarely high enough.
In addition, sound sometimes only plays a minor role on set and in post-production.
As a result, an otherwise high-quality production can lack the acoustic finishing touches. Even the ordinary viewer can sense that something does not sound optimal or that something is missing in terms of feel. In addition, the perceived quality decreases overall.
And that's where SoundPfeil comes in.
We enhance your production and enable you to have an all-round professional audio production. And all this without a huge budget, your own expertise in this area or the appropriate premises.
Find out more about the price/performance ratio here.
SoundPfeil delivers. Locally and globally.
Based in Darmstadt, we work with local and international production companies and advertising agencies.
It's important to be able to get a personal impression of the contact person.
With today's resources, this is of course also possible via the Internet in addition to a coffee on site.
In addition to German, direct communication is also possible in English and to some extent in French. Thanks to the latest AI translation tools, we can also handle written communication in all other languages with virtually no problems. However, it is usually very important to be able to understand the existing language when editing original sound.
If the distance allows, we are happy to meet and discuss the project in person.
We are easily accessible by train and have parking spaces, a kitchen and a bar. You can take a look at our studios over a delicious espresso, tea or lemonade or we can make ourselves comfortable in the meeting and presentation room.
SoundPfeil is worth the price.
It's always amazing how fast and inexpensive audio post can often be in relation.
In my experience, with professional and realistic production budgets, the cost of audio post-production is often only between 5% and 15% of the total project budget.
If we think of Ford Coppola, this is a very good price/performance ratio: 15% of the budget for a significant improvement of 50% of the overall effect.
You can find more details and sample calculations here.
SoundPfeil is quality.
An audio signal always runs through a chain. It is as strong as its weakest link.
This also applies to studio recordings in our large recording studio or vocal booth.
That's why we focus on consistently high quality in our equipment and acoustically optimized studios.
See here for more details.
SoundPfeil works.
Legends such as Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas expressly emphasize that the sound "makes up 50 percent of a film".
I repeat: "50%."
Good sound has a positive effect on the entire production, everyone benefits from good audio because it rubs off: an actor is easier to understand, a narrator comes across as more professional, the company boss more competent.
Even inexperienced speakers, such as an employee who is not used to speaking in front of a camera, benefit when slips of the tongue can be ironed out, they no longer mumble and the overall sound is better.
It is also important to maintain a competitive loudness (= perceived loudness) tailored to the respective platform. This is part of the mastering process.
For projects that consist of several elements, this can prevent strong fluctuations in terms of loudness and overall sound. Instead, for example, several clips are acoustically linked together.
2. Service Range
Audio
Ideas & Concepts
Copywriting
Recording studio rental
Equipment rental
Consulting
Service
AUDIO
Recording
In the recording studio
In our spacious recording studio, we can create all kinds of recordings, including
- Voice, rap and vocal recordings, through to the recording of choirs
- Post-synchronization of film scenes
- Live concerts with recording
- Instrument recordings, from direct recording of amps to strings that require more room space.
- Dubbing of sounds (Foley recordings)
- Band recordings, either live or individually recorded one after the other
When visiting our studio, parking spaces, a kitchen and bar are available.
Recording mobile / on set:
There are of course situations in which it is not possible to record in a recording studio. Often you also have to be mobile on location and therefore cannot fall back on a stationary, wired solution.
Mobile recording devices are always used in such cases. In order to get the best out of the situation, unwanted noises such as electrical noise or road traffic must be attenuated or switched off as much as possible. You have to find the best positioning - for the boom poles and the clip-on microphones (lavalier).
As you can see under references, we have over 12 years of experience as sound engineers and boom operators on set for corporate, series and film shoots.
Audio Production
Jingles, corporate music & film music
We produce exclusive music, jingles and intro music for advertising (radio, TV, YouTube, cinema), corporate films, internal communication, etc.
The desired effect and emotion are discussed as precisely as possible in advance. In addition to the music itself, this also includes the desired dramaturgy. From "build up tension" to "should put you in a good mood" to "danceable, rousing" to "definitely melancholic", anything is possible. Specific wishes such as the genre (rock music, funk, hip hop, jazz etc.), tempo, choice of instruments, sounds, effects and so on can also be discussed. You can also use reference music as a guide (should sound similar to song xy / in video xy).
We also offer complete songwriting, exclusively and individually tailored to your project. This includes the writing of the song and the lyrics, the recording and incorporation of singers, solo musicians, etc., the production and the finalization. The music can be customized with exclusive exploitation rights. (Example 300 pictures)
Sound design / "Foley artist"
We provide a radio play, a film production or 3D animation with any missing sounds, atmospheres and effects.
Analog and digital. This means we record the sounds e.g. with the original props in better quality, use other objects and we create
O-Ton Post Production
Original sound optimization, restoration and rescue.
Every recording is followed by targeted post-production.
Without this, the recording - however good it may be - is a diamond in the rough.
We improve the speech and sound quality of voice recordings for podcasts, interviews, documentaries, advertising, etc.
Making original sounds "clean":
The first step is editing, which means cutting, unobtrusive transitions and the removal of background noise, unnecessary breathers, etc.
This is followed by optimization using filters and "smart plugins", specifically the removal or attenuation of noise, humming, ambient
noises, S-sounds and room reverberation and the elimination of clicks, smacks and possibly breathers.
The whole process is rounded off with sound processing, optimization of the frequency response and dynamics through EQ and compression.
Finalization - mixing & mastering
This is the final step in every production. This is also done in-house and therefore has the advantage that no time is lost.
The finished audio signal is brought to a competitive volume and adapted to the requirements of the respective platform (YouTube,
Spotify, TV and radio stations, etc.).
This is also done in-house so that no time is lost unnecessarily when changes are made.
IDEAS
Sometimes it's not easy to find a suitable idea to implement.
In the case of radio commercials, for example, I can support or even take over everything from finding the idea, writing the commercials and the rest of the implementation on the audio side.
Conception
I have experience in film production, mainly in the audio sector, but also in the areas of film and audio, online advertising, radio spots, advertisements in magazines, etc.
Copywriting
I also have experience in copywriting in the areas mentioned under conception. From slogans to advertising texts or radio spots, I have already implemented various projects.
RENTAL
Studio rental
All equipment for mobile recordings (e.g. on film sets) and studio recordings can be requested and rented.
The studio space itself can also be rented by the hour or day for recordings.
Equipment rental for audio and film
All equipment for mobile recordings (e.g. on the film set) or studio recordings can be requested and hired.
It is also possible to hire professional film equipment such as cameras, lighting, tripods and more from us.
You can get an impression of our audio equipment under Sound studios.
Note: This is not a complete list of equipment, there is much more available, including microphones.
CONSULTING
Based on our experience, we can advise you in various areas, e.g. when choosing the right microphone for the film set, in the studio and at a live performance.
In addition, we can support you with your concept, script, text, choice of speaker, music, etc.
SERVICE
I back up all data and (music) projects I work on for several years.
For security reasons, but also for other reasons:
More often than not, a project is taken up again in the following years or later. I can adapt the production to the new event at any time and respond to requests.
If you should ever lose or accidentally delete the delivered files, I can find the files and send them to you.
3. Awards
CATEGORY
FILM & SERIES
MEM Series
Year of production: 2013 - 2014
Genre: Post-apocalyptic western in the Antarctic
Scope: Pilot series, 3 episodes à 9min.
My part: Script, pre-production, production, set sound recording, sound design, music and mix.
AWARDS
- BEST MUSIC AWARD*Webfest Seattle 2015
- WHAT'S NEXT PRODUCER AWARD *Webfest Berlin 2016
- BEST ORIGINAL SCORE *Bilbao Webfest 2016
- MEM BEST SERIES ???
ANOMALY
Production year: 2018 - 2019
Scope: 1st season, 10 episodes, running time approx. 210 min (19-25 min per episode)
Genre: Mystery thriller, sci-fi, coming-of-age, drama
My part: Script, pre-production, production, sound design, music and mix.
AWARDS
- BEST SERIES OF ALL GENRES *Seoul Webfest 2019
- BEST OVERALL SERIES *Minnesota Webfest 2019
- BEST SOUND *Bilbao Seriesland 2019
- BEST SHOWRUNNER *Bilbao Seriesland 2019
- BEST INTERNATIONAL SERIES *Digital Media Fest Rome 2019
- BEST SCREENPLAY *Digital Media Fest Rome 2019
- BEST WEB SERIES OF ALL GENRES *Asia Web Awards 2019
- BEST SOUND *Buenos Aires Series 2020
- BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN *The Serial 2020
- SEVEN DIRECT SELECTIONS *Bilbao, Buenos Aires, Seoul, Miami, Sicily, Melbourne and Toulouse.
CATEGORY
CORPORATE
Project: Union Invest advertising clip
Production: Profilwerkstatt & Tag & Nacht Media
My part: Set recording, sound design, music production, mix and master.
AWARDS
CORPORATE MEDIA & TV AWARD in Cannes 2017
Category: Marketing / Communication B2B
4. Studios & Equipment
1 large recording studio with control room
1 production studio
Studios:
1 Recording Studio ..qm mit Regie
1 Produktionsstudio
Equipment:
2x iMac (3.8 GHz 8-core)
2x iPad Logic Remote
2X Logic Pro
2x Adobe Audition
Hardware
Apogee Duet
RME Fireface
Neumann EQ Analog
Telefunken Pre-Amp Analog
Various microphones for live and studio
studio recordings, including
Neumann U87
2x Neumann TLM 103
Rode SM 7B
2x Neumann KLM 184
mobile:
SoundDevice 664 Recorder
Tascam DR680 Recorder
Tascam DR100 MKII Recorder
Neumann KMR 81 directional microphone
Sennheiser EW 100 (A-Band) + MKE2 Gold
Headphones:
AKG K240 Studio, AKG K 271 MKII, Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Note: Only some of the available equipment is listed here.
We use
Software
from, among others
Adobe
Antaris
Cableguys
denise
Eventide
Fabfilter
iZotope
HOFA
Native Instruments
Plugin Alliance
Slate Digital
Softube
sonible
Soundradix
SSL
Supertone
UAD
XLN Audio
Waves
5. Process
Discussion / Important factors
1. contact / inquiry
Discussion of the project itself and
my tasks (what exactly is desired),
specifications regarding dramaturgy, music, sounds, etc. and
Information on the general conditions (deadline, budget, ...).
2. assessment on my part
The first step is always to ask whether the desired result can be achieved within the given deadline and whether the budget expectations are realistic.
I use my experience to estimate how time-consuming my work will be.
This estimate depends on -> see prices.
I then make an offer.
Offer
All costs are included in my offers.
As a rule, I provide quotes at a fixed price.
For small jobs, it sometimes makes sense to charge by the hour.
Important:
The quotation is no longer valid if the agreed workload increases. In such a case, the quote or invoice will be adjusted accordingly.
3. data transfer / data exchange
In generel, please send the raw material uncompressed, i.e. no mp3s if possible, but WAV, AIF or FLAC files.
In the case of film, please send it in OMF format and the film in a lower resolution.
Once I have completed the work, you will receive the finished audio file(s) in the desired format. In most cases, this is a stereo sum as a WAV file in 44.1kHz (audio standard) or 48kHz (film standard).
I also need everything else that is important for my work, such as a script, audio book, reference music, etc.
After completion of the project, all project data is stored digitally, see services.
4. production
Now the actual work on the project begins.
5. submission
After the feedback has been implemented:
Data transfer as agreed, e.g. as a WAV file via wetransfer.
It is also possible for me to incorporate the finished sound into the video sent along.
6. feedback
Once you have received the sent audio file, the project is either completed or you have the option of making changes.
There are 3 feedback loops included in the price.
6. Prices
I calculate the price according to the work involved.
Based on my experience, I can estimate how long I will need for my work.
I then make an offer, usually with a fixed price.
My working time depends in particular on the following factors
Number of voices
Runtime
Quality of the material
Type of utilization
As a rule, short running times are less work, but the opposite also exists:
A 2-hour podcast and 2 voice actors can involve less work than a 15-second commercial, which requires a new jingle, music, a lot of sound design and several voice actors, including recording, mixing & mastering.
The total costs in the audio area of a production are often much cheaper than in the film area. As a result, the "audio share" is often only a small part of the total production costs.
7. Network
The SoundPfeil Studios are located in the Tag & Nacht Studio Complex, a meeting place for musicians, bands, a film production company and recording studios.
With more than 10 years of experience in film production, we also have a network here.
For example, it would be no problem to recruit or recommend crew members in the audio and film sector whose work I know personally.
I am well connected through my professional and personal network of music producers, filmmakers and artists.
I am surrounded by bands, soloists, producers, filmmakers and other creative people.
Through my experiences in the film industry and contacts at film festivals, I have a worldwide network.
There is also a live sound company on the premises, which is very practical if you ever need a sound system, trussing or a whole stage or similar.