AES Student Blog

 Filipe Antunes's submission received a Gold prize in Category 4 (Sound for Visual Media) at the Student Recording Competition of the 139th AES Convention. 

 

 

I was born and raised in Brazil but my parents came to the US when I was 12 years old. Fast forward many years later, the opportunity came along to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and I gladly took it. I am currently enrolled as a dual major in music production and engineering, and electronic production and sound design. I can comfortably say I am in the field of audio post-production for visual media, though I do love recording large ensembles.

 

I was exposed to music through my middle school band teacher/mentor; I was hooked into the world of sound. From then I learned to play the trumpet, drums and finally landed on electric bass. As a bass player I would do a lot of recording for friends. I got into many studios through the Boston area, so naturally I got into the technology of recording and developed an appreciation for what is modern day recording. Playing in a band, and going into the studio, opened my mind to the possibility of working in that “behind the scenes” that I find fascinating. It combines the technical and creative aspects of my brain and now that I live it, I can’t get enough of it.

 

I am a bass player and I’ve been part of an indie alternative rock band in my teens, and then started recording a whole lot.

 

In one of the production classes here at Berklee, my instructor, Susan Rogers told me all about the AES competition that was going to happen that year. Since I’m always running around and being mind busy as I often get, I didn’t really know about the student competition until she talked about it. However, before then, about a few months before, I had chosen the clip that I submitted (Star Wars) so I could work on it just for fun. When I learned Category 4 was all about audio for visuals, I put them together and things worked out. I worked on the clip for about two weeks very intensely, and I have to say I’m proud of it despite it being my very first submission. As what inspired me to do it, I would say who inspired me to do it, and that was my professor Susan Rogers.

 

 

What was your most significant/funny/inspiring experience as an audio engineer? 

My most significant moment as an audio engineer would have to be the session with Terence Blanchard last fall. I was one of the student engineers of the weekly orchestral recording class. This class was by far one the best experiences I’ve had. One of the weeks in this class, we had professional composers come in and as a student, I’d record while they conducted a high-level student orchestra. I had to pinch myself at times. There I was, sitting behind a NEVE 88RS, in the best facility for orchestras in Boston, engineering an original composition by Terrence Blanchard while he conducted it... It was a good day.

 

Accidents happen: What was your biggest mistake in a production and what did you do to redeem the situation? 

My biggest mistake, and it only happened once, is when I got a beating from the NEVE in a full band session for a friend. This happened a while back but I remember feeling lost behind the console, I just didn’t understand it for a bit that night. It must have been the lack of sleep, but I was just dumbfounded during that session. I was assigned to record an R&B band and the problems just kept popping up out of nowhere. Thankfully, there was one of the studio support techs and he helped the session along. I learned my lesson there really well.

 

The most valuable advice I would give to an engineer that is just coming up would be that opportunities come along if you position yourself right.

 

Tech talk: What are your favourite pieces of equipment (microphones, outboard, plugins), and why? 

I’d say my top three tools that I enjoy working with are the API Legacy, Ableton Live (for sound design) and DPA, just to name a few.

The API Legacy for me is a no-nonsense board and I’ve come to be quite fond of it. This is the board that I started with and solidified my knowledge of audio in, so I constantly grasp at the chance to work on it.

As far as software, I’d say Ableton Live just fit what I do so well. It’s flexible and it almost seems suggestive of creativeness.  

In the area of microphones, I’m always reaching out to the DPAs in the mic cabinet. I use them at every session I do with a band. The 4011s and 4006s are reliable in the studio and certain recording contexts.

 

I’ve been listening to a lot of EDM lately and one artist “MADEON” is one that I am following. His first album “Adventure” just came out. The whole production of the album just feels right, especially because there was an expectation for the 1st album. They nailed it and the sounds and the melodies were so right.

 

My professor Susan Rogers motivated me and my peers to join the AES and submit to the Student Competition. She does so much for us students and really believes in the AES, but first and foremost in us, the students.

 

The AES has exposed me to important people of our field. Through the competition, I had the opportunity to receive priceless feedback on my work, and that is something I’ll never forget. Ever since I joined the audio engineering program at Berklee, I saw the camaraderie between the engineers and the feeling that we’re here to help each other out. I get this same feeling with the AES as well and this motivates me and helps me realize even further that there’s a place for me in this industry.

 

My favorite experience was that I got to be closer to my fellow Berklee peers. Of course winning the gold metal was the highlight of the event, but I really felt that I made friends that I will always have for years to come.

 

Lately 0 Hertz has been a favorite.

 

I’m with my family most of the time when I'm free, but I do make time to play soccer with friends and go to the gym. I try to stay physically active as much as I can, but I must say, a whole day at an orchestral mix can be a good workout.

 

I see myself working in post production. I also see a possibility of a career in orchestral recording or score mixing. I enjoy working with composers and musicians on a scoring stage. I welcome the pressure that a film score session brings.

 

I think a whole lot can be said about talent, determination and skill but I cannot leave out the people that motivate and mentor a student coming up in life. I am fortunate to be in a school that believes in their students and truly wants us to succeed. I’m also fortunate to have had professors who sincerely commit to the wellness of their students. This shows me I have to go on and keep learning, because I’ll get a chance to help others someday.