Bear's Den

Communion Records approached ARK360º with a unique challenge: they wanted to create a compelling promotional piece for Bear’s Den’s Christmas single, blending audio and visual storytelling in a fresh, engaging way. The challenge was to come up with a creative concept that would not only showcase the band’s performance but also highlight the power of spatial audio. We pitched the idea of a one-take live session that would be recorded with multiple microphone setups, creating a rich audio and visual experience.

The band and label loved the idea, but the project came with its own set of challenges. The performance had to feel natural and spontaneous, yet be meticulously planned to ensure that the final product would showcase the capabilities of spatial audio while maintaining the emotional integrity of the live session. Additionally, the final product needed to be optimised for YouTube, where the binaural audio quality and presentation would be crucial to attracting listeners and enhancing the overall visual experience.

 

Our Five-Stage Formula for Exceptional Spatial Audio:

 

Stage 1: Concept and Material Sourcing
Our first task was to work closely with the band and Communion Records to finalise the concept and align the vision. We wanted to create an experience that felt both authentic and innovative. After finalising the concept for the one-take live session, we sourced the necessary materials, including the tracks for the single and video footage. We also decided to use multiple microphone setups to capture the band’s performance from different angles, ensuring a dynamic range of sounds to fully explore the spatial audio potential.

 

Stage 2: Recording the Live Session
Once the concept was agreed upon, we coordinated with the band to record the live session. Using a combination of overhead, room, and close microphones, we captured a detailed and immersive representation of the performance. The multiple mic placements allowed us to capture the depth and texture of each instrument and vocal, providing the perfect raw material for the spatial audio mix. The goal was to create a recording that would translate seamlessly into spatial audio, immersing the listener in the band's live environment.

 

Stage 3: Mixing the Session in Spatial Audio
With the raw material in hand, our team of engineers worked to mix the live session into spatial audio. Using advanced spatial audio technology, we carefully positioned the various elements of the performance within a 360-degree sound field. The challenge was to maintain the organic feel of the one-take performance while also using the spatial elements to bring out the energy and dynamics of the performance. We applied spatial panning, dynamic movement, and spatial effects to place instruments, vocals, and ambient sounds in a way that made the listener feel as if they were in the room with the band, experiencing the live session firsthand.

 

Stage 4: Critical Listening Across Multiple Platforms
Once the mix was complete, we conducted extensive listening tests to ensure the spatial mix would translate well across all listening environments. As the project was intended for YouTube, we focused on optimising the audio for headphones, speakers, and other playback devices commonly used by viewers. We listened to the spatial audio mix on a variety of devices, ensuring that the immersive qualities of the mix were preserved no matter how the listener experienced it.

 

Stage 5: Final Quality Check and Delivery
After finalising the spatial audio mix, we performed a thorough quality check to ensure everything met our high standards. Once approved, we rendered the final spatial audio files and delivered them to the label for integration into the video. The finished video was edited to highlight the dynamic performance while incorporating the spatial audio mix, ensuring that the final product offered both a captivating visual and auditory experience.

 

Outcome:
The result was a stunning live session video for Bear’s Den’s Christmas single, fully integrated with spatial audio to enhance the listener's experience. The final product allowed fans to experience the raw energy and emotion of the one-take performance as though they were right there in the room with the band. The spatial audio mix elevated the visuals, providing an immersive audio experience that resonated with listeners on a deeper level.

The project was a success, both in terms of fan engagement and its ability to showcase the potential of spatial audio. Fans of Bear’s Den were able to connect with the music in a new and exciting way, while the spatial audio mix gave the band’s performance a sense of depth and presence that traditional stereo mixes simply couldn’t match