ALAN D. THOMPSON

What is Sound Design? | Philosophy | Press | Programming | Quotes | Links | Notes

What is Sound Design?

The concept of Technical Sound Design (also known as "Theatre Sound System Design") has only been around for a few decades; it is one of the youngest fields in theatre along with multimedia visual projection. The field seeks to transparently reinforce sound to the audience, providing aural information and creating the live experience.

Some of the first productions to use microphones to reinforce orchestra and cast through speakers were Hair (Abe Jacob, 1968), Jesus Christ Superstar (Abe Jacob, 1971) and Cats (Martin Levan, 1982).

Advancements so far include the "A-B system" accidentally discovered by Martin Levan in 1988 (while sending boys to the main UPA speakers, and girls to the main Tannoy speakers [1]) and subsequently used in Phantom of the Opera (1988). There have been advances in the area of digital signal processing, and improvements in the localisation of sound source using various products dealing with audio imaging (TiMax, LCS).

"Sound design is 5% skill, 5% equipment and 90% politics." -- Tony Meola

Philosophy

"Nothing is as valuable as knowing how to handle a situation or people. Second to that, I like a sense of humour. Third, a sense of perspective." -- Jim van Bergen

• Communication: with the client, with the audience
• Simplicity
• Sonic transparency to convey emotion

Press

the amplified sound world emerged with appropriate clarity and transparency (Sydney Morning Herald)...delivered a very well balanced and clear acoustic throughout...elegant tonal purity (Australian Stage)...neatly filling the vast spaces of His Majesty’s Theatre. (The West Australian)...A tight, controlled band lead by Musical Director Simon Holt is the perfect accompaniment to the strong cast. Well done to the sound technician (Alan D Thompson) for the great mixing between band and singers, as well as great control of multiple microphones. (Australian Stage)...

Programming

BSS: Omnidrive, Soundweb Classic (Green), Soundweb London (Blue)

Lake Processors
XTA Processors

Digidesign: VENUE, VENUE D-Show Profile
Yamaha Digital: 01v96, 02R, 03D, DM1000, DM2000, M7CL, PM5D

Qlab
SFX 5.6, 6.0

Notes

Initialising Yamaha digital consoles (resetting console to factory state):
01v96, M7CL, PM5D, DM2000: Hold the SCENE MEMORY [STORE] key while powering up.

Links

Gareth Fry - UK Sound Designer

Kai Harada - US Sound Designer, assistant designer to Tony Meola on Wicked

Scott Lehrer - Won the first Sound Design Tony Award (for South Pacific) (US)

Mic Pool - Won the first Sound Design for a Play Tony Award (US)

Charlie Richmond - Sound Guru (US)

Steve Scanlon - Australian Live Sound Engineer (Southern Sons, Arena, Amorossi, Ceberano, Hines)

Gavin Tempany - Australian Live Sound Engineer (Franti, Motorace, Little Birdy, Eskimo Joe)