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AES144 Student Recording Competition Interview: Katarzyna Sochaczewska

AES144 Student Recording Competition Interview: Katarzyna Sochaczewska

1) Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from and what do you study?
 
My name is Kat Sochaczewska, I'm from Poland and currently doing phd at AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, where I graduated from Acoustical Engineering last year. I am a little bit of a patchwork - as I am involved in broadcasting, studio recording, and my phd oscillates around ambisonics widely speaking. I try complement all of those fields and constantly learn from them.

 
2) What initiated your passion for audio? When did it start?
 
As a kid, I always used to play with toy-instruments, so I was sent to music school, where I learnt to play piano. But I was fascinated not only with music itself, but sonic experiences in various forms (including soundscapes, melody of foreign languages, maybe that is also why I developed the passion for jazz - where a lot of organic noises can be found) - so I decided to study sound and get involved in audio field. 

3) Tell us about production of your submission? What is the story behind it? What inspired it? How long did you work on it? Was it your first entry?
 
The production that I submitted for recording competition was a piece of folk music in modern arrangement (Vidma w sadoczku). It was first mixed in stereo as regular cd production, but while working on the material I really felt it would be a sin not to space it out and make a version in surround. I had a great great pleasure working with lovely vocalist Susanna Jara (thank You!) and she was the inspiration for this experiment. I played a lot with layers of vocals, trying to create a story and mood, and it was among others possible thanks to her stunning harmonies. I had a lot of fun creating the immersive atmosphere and using tricks that normally wouldn't be possible to apply in casual production. It was my first entry, and it took me quite long to prepare it (the recording took few hours, then mixing in 5.0 around a month with breaks - it is still quite new to me - mixing in surround). I was extremly stressed to share the work with the audience and judges, but I'm more than happy with that incredible experience - especially for professional feedback from experts. 

4) What/who made you join AES?
 
I first joined AES right before the conference was held in Warsaw few years ago, thanks to my lecturers and peers. And I kept it since then because of great publications useful in my research work and fantastic conferences obviously. 

5) Tell us about your favorite experiences at the 144th AES convention in Milan!
 
Well - definitely the whole recording competition was exciting but not only that! I've heard some stunning works during listening sessions (for example 3d music - "In the fields" which became my great inspiration to start creating ambisonic music). I always enjoy lectures held by Alex Case, you can get so much from them. Besides, fantastic workshops about immersive audio, audio for VR, trends and new gear on exhibitions. Lovely atmosphere, wonderful city, open and experienced people to share ideas with and simply nerd-talk to:) 


Posted: Wednesday, August 15, 2018

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