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Inside Sonic Days 2024 with Lars Tirsbæk

From November 20-21, Denmark’s Sonic College hosts the annual Sonic Days event, providing a platform for those passionate about audio to come together network, and learn. Head of Sonic Days, Lars Tirsbæk, joins Headlinerfor a look at all this year’s even has to offer…

What is the Sonic Days Conference?

Sonic Days is an annual conference hosted by Sonic College in Denmark, where we bring together people who are passionate about sound. It’s all about exploring the latest in sound design, technology, and innovation. We create a space for everyone—from industry leaders to newcomers—where they can learn, connect, and share ideas about what’s happening and what’s next in the world of audio. It’s become a key event in the Nordic audio scene, and we’re proud of the community it’s building.

Who is it for?

Sonic Days is for anyone with a love for sound. Whether you’re a student just starting out, a professional working in audio, or simply curious about sound design, there’s something for you here. We welcome people from all corners of the audio world—film, music, games, and more. We believe that when people with different backgrounds and experiences come together, amazing things happen.

What are the key areas of audio that it addresses?

We cover a wide range of topics within audio, from immersive sound and foley artistry to game audio, film soundtracks, and live audio experiences. Sonic Days is designed to be inclusive, so we cater to all skill levels. There’s something for everyone, whether you're a seasoned sound engineer, an up-and-coming student, or an industry newcomer who’s just curious to learn. We want to break down barriers in the audio field and make the knowledge accessible to everyone.

What are some of the major topics that will be discussed at the conference?

This year, we’re diving into immersive audio, AI in sound design, and audio’s role in storytelling across different mediums. We have sessions on foley art, Dolby Atmos for live sports, and sound design for iconic films and games like Deadpool & Wolverine and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. We’ll also discuss diversity in the industry, and we have experts from various fields talking about their experiences. The goal is to inspire and open people’s minds to the creative and technical possibilities of sound.

What do you consider to be the biggest trends shaping the industry at the moment?

Right now, immersive audio is a huge trend—it’s really changing how we experience sound, whether it’s in a cinema, at home, or in a car. We’re also seeing AI play a bigger role in sound design, especially in podcasting and automated mixing. And then there’s the push for more diversity and inclusion in the industry, which is so important. We need new voices and perspectives to keep this field vibrant and innovative, and I think Sonic Days is helping to bring those voices to the forefront.

How has the event evolved since launching three years ago?

It’s been amazing to see how Sonic Days has grown! We started in 2022 with a vision to bring people together around sound, and each year the event has gotten bigger and better. We’re attracting more international speakers and participants, and our sessions have become more diverse and cutting-edge. Every year, we push ourselves to make it more inclusive and impactful. We want Sonic Days to be a place where anyone can come, feel welcome, and leave inspired.

Tell us about the work of Sonic College.

Sonic College is dedicated to teaching the next generation of sound designers and audio professionals. We focus on hands-on learning, where students get to work with the latest technology and learn from experienced professionals. It’s all about helping students develop both their creative and technical skills so they can thrive in the audio industry. We have a strong network of industry connections, and events like Sonic Days allow our students to connect directly with leaders in the field.

How can people register to attend Sonic Days?

Registration is free and easy! Just visit https://sonicdays2024.sched.com/registration to secure your spot. We recommend signing up quickly, as we’ve already surpassed last year’s registration numbers, and there’s still a week to go until the conference. Don’t miss the chance to be part of Sonic Days!


Sonic Days 2024 Highlights

  • The Art of Foley – Foley artist Shelley Roden from Skywalker Sound takes attendees behind the scenes of crafting sound for blockbuster films. Gain insight into how sound effects bring stories to life on the big screen.
  • A Linear Score in an Interactive Medium – Lasse Skak Ernst from Massive Entertainment showcases how the score for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora was crafted to support both the narrative campaign and the open-world gameplay. A must-see for those interested in interactive music and gaming.
  • Inside the Game: Mastering Atmos for Live Sports Broadcasting – Prof. Felix Krückels demonstrates how Dolby Atmos brings the stadium experience to home viewers, delivering immersive sound experiences for the Bundesliga and other major sports events.
  • Crafting Immersive Audio Experiences for Audible and Beyond – Kurt Martinez, known for his work with Audible and the BBC, shares techniques in Dolby Atmos that transform sound into a powerful storytelling tool. Perfect for those looking to make sound a core part of narrative design.
  • The Sound of Immersion: Mixing Metallica’s 360-Degree World – Greg Price reveals his approach to mixing sound for Metallica’s M72 World Tour, where audio envelops the audience in a 360-degree stadium setup.
  • Why Immersive Audio? – Industry Leaders on the Future of Sound – A panel discussion with Marcela Rada, Michael Romanowski, and others on the future of immersive sound and its potential across industries, from entertainment to automotive.
  • Sonic Heroes: The Art of Sound in Deadpool & Wolverine – Craig Henighan and Lora Hirschberg discuss crafting the soundscapes for the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film. Moderated by Peter Albrechtsen, this session dives into the audio challenges of superhero movies.
  • Inclusion in the Recording Studio – Dr. Stacy L. Smith from USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative presents her groundbreaking research on inclusion in the music industry and the importance of representation in the recording studio.
  • Heilung at Roskilde Festival: Crafting an Immersive Concert Experience – Robert Borg and Christopher Juul explore the use of Spacemap Go technology to create an immersive concert experience at Roskilde Festival 2024 with Heilung.
  • Debate: AI in Podcasting – Featuring experts like Tim Hinman and Johanne Hesseldahl Larsen, this debate delves into the role of AI in podcast production and the ethical considerations involved.