“Sound is not just an accompaniment; it’s the heartbeat of storytelling in films and TV shows. It shapes emotions, creates atmosphere, and keeps the audience engaged in the narrative,” asserts David Zang, an award-winning sound design expert and Director of Audio Production at ASPARTATESOUNDS LLC.
In an era where technology continually evolves, sound remains a constant factor that completes the entire movie and TV experience. According to industry forecasts, the global film and TV market is projected to reach unprecedented heights, with streaming platforms and cinematic releases engaging audiences worldwide.
With over a decade in sound design production, being an active member of the exclusive Society of Broadcast Engineers (Certified Audio Engineer) and associate members of other respected sound production organizations such as the Cinema Audio Society (CAS) and the Motion Picture Sound Editor (MPSE), Zang emphasizes that sound design isn’t just about adding effects; it’s about enhancing the emotional palette of a story. Understanding the demand for excellent sound design in media, he uses his expertise to increase the market and provide higher audio production excellence.
Unveiling Zang’s Mastery Behind the Scenes
In cinematic storytelling, sound design’s subtle yet powerful art emerges as the unsung hero that breathes life into narratives. According to Zang, sound design isn’t just a technical process; it’s the blend of creativity and precision that shapes the very essence of a film or TV show. Every sonic element is carefully crafted to create immersive worlds that transcend the screen.
Drawing from his international background and profound cross-cultural understanding, Zang infuses his work with a richness that resonates across boundaries. His unique perspective allows him to create soundscapes that complement visuals and transcend cultural nuances, resonating emotionally with global audiences. His approach is a testament that borders do not confine sound design; instead, it’s a universal language that speaks to the core of human emotions.
Zang’s dedication to his craft is impressive, resembling that of a skilled craftsman. He diligently refines every audio detail and avoids relying on pre-recorded materials to create a seamless auditory experience for viewers. For instance, he recorded a real car with its natural engine sound, experimenting with various conditions like open windows, different speeds, and road surfaces to achieve realistic car sounds.
Before venturing into the film industry, Zang spent over five years in music production and live sound mixing. During this time, he honed his skills in sound treatment to ensure each sound’s depth aligned with the director’s vision for the film. He employed various techniques, such as analog gear or plugins, to add warmth to the soundtrack and utilized the mid/side technique for surround sound mixing. According to Zang, he often employs this technique to provide a historical touch to the movie while maintaining the surround sound field, as seen in notable films like Mank.
Zang adds, “The attention to detail distinguishes exceptional sound editing, elevating a production from mere noise to a harmonious symphony that captivates the senses.”
Zang breathes life into narratives, adding layers of emotions and authenticity that extend beyond what meets the eye. His strong international background and commitment to excellence infuse every project with a sonic magic that resonates deeply with audiences.
Elevating Sound Design with Creative Tools
Zang’s sound design brilliance is not just about technical know-how but also his adept use of high-tech sound editing and production tools. The marriage of artistic intuition with cutting-edge technology has allowed him to delve deeper into the realms of imagination, sculpting soundscapes that resonate with authenticity.
Years of working with ASPARTATESOUNDS’ high-tech tools, including an extensive collection of high-quality, inclusive, and diversified sound libraries with extensive sound effects, have shown Zang their creative potential. The sound library, filled with premium sound effects, lets him create intricate auditory scenes that transcend screens. Drawing from his and his team’s experience working with detailed and immersive sound equipment, he ensured every sound found its proper place on the final output, leading to an immersive experience for audiences. These tools also gave Zang the first-hand opportunity to use the future of music production, further widening his skills in sound editing.
The combination of Zang’s mastery and high-tech tools shines in the outcome—a soundscape that doesn’t just complement visuals but enhances them. Zang’s sound design demonstrates how technology, guided by a skilled artist, extends creative expression. From gentle wind whispers to cinematic climaxes, each sound is a deliberate note in the storytelling symphony.
“Technology is evolving, and we as industry leaders should evolve. I find joy in exploring and mastering these new high-tech tools. It changes the game regarding what sound can produce,” Zang expresses.
Zang’s Expertise in Action
Zang’s skills have garnered remarkable achievements that speak volumes about his sound design and editing prowess. His name has been recognized for his outstanding achievement in audio engineering, giving him a feature in The Shenzhen Jing Bao, a prominent newspaper in China owned by the most prominent media group in the Chinese City, Shen Zhen Press Group.
His work has also been celebrated internationally, with four distinguished awards attesting to his outstanding contributions to feature films. His movie, “Amazon Queen,” won Best Sound Design awards from the 2021 Rome International Movie Awards, the 2021 Gralha International Monthly Film Awards, and the 2021 Paris International Film Festival. His “Egypt Affair” also won the 2023 Best Sound Design Award from the Rome International Movie Awards.
Zang’s skillful touch as a supervising sound editor at ASPARTATESOUNDS LLC, in collaboration with EIKON Group, also earned him a spot in the honor of nomination for The American Council of the Blind’s People’s Choice Award for his remarkable audio description work on “Top Gun, Maverick.”
The movie “Harper” which Zang leads as the Sound Designer and Re-recording Mixer, made the 2022 Oscar (Academy Award) Qualified Movie and won ‘Best Feature Film’ at different international award-giving shows such as the Silk Road Film Awards Cannes, Chicago, Indie Film Awards, Lonely Wolf: London International Film Festival, and many more.
Moreover, his journey through sound has led him to shape pivotal TV documentaries. He led the sound editor and mixer role for six documentaries, including those featuring former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari during his active term in office, which were played on Nigerian national television. These heights and projects testify to Zang’s dynamic influence and remarkable sound design capabilities.
The Pursuit of Continuous Excellence
In the creative world, a delicate balance emerges—a fusion of harnessing advanced tools and preserving the human touch. This synergy is especially prominent in sound design, where blending technology and artistic intuition is crucial.
Amid rapid technological progress and desire for improvement, it’s vital to understand that these tools don’t replace but enhance the artist’s essence. The real magic happens when experts like Zang seamlessly blend tool capabilities with their creativity, yielding unique, exciting outcomes.
Zang’s skill in combining innovation and human ingenuity leaves an enduring mark as the landscape evolves. His ability to shape captivating sonic landscapes ensures the enchantment of film and TV continuously wow the audience, keeping the magic of cinema and TV alive.