Clean Bandit

 

ARK360º was given the exciting challenge of mixing Clean Bandit’s album What Is Love? in 360 Reality Audio (Spatial Audio) after already hosting the recording of the original album. The goal was to create an auditory experience that captured the essence of the band’s vision while experimenting with new possibilities within the 360º mixing environment. The challenge was to not only meet the band's expectations but to also push the boundaries of spatial sound in a way that elevated the music’s personality and energy.

To further complicate matters, the project required a dynamic collaboration between ARK360º and Clean Bandit, who would attend mixing sessions and directly influence the sound. This hands-on approach meant that every track had to reflect the unique characteristics and creative direction of each band member. Additionally, we revisited older sessions, particularly for the track “Rockabye,” to enhance and integrate new stems into the 360º mix.

 

Our Five-Stage Formula for Exceptional Spatial Audio:

 

Stage 1: Sourcing Materials
The project began by sourcing all necessary materials, including the original stems and multitracks, from Clean Bandit. 

With the shared history between the band and ARK360º, we already had access to high-quality recordings and intimate knowledge of the band’s sound. This foundation allowed us to move swiftly into the next phase.

 

Stage 2: Verifying Stems and Preparing the Mix
Once we had all the required audio assets, our team meticulously verified the stems and multitracks. We carefully prepared each track for the spatial mix, importing the audio into the spatial environment and organising the tracks to ensure proper sound placement. This stage was vital for setting up a seamless spatial experience that would allow each element of the track to occupy its own unique space within the 360º field.

 

Stage 3: Mixing in the 360 Reality Audio Environment
At this stage, our expert engineers began the mixing process in the Spatial Audio environment. Working directly with Clean Bandit, the band members were actively involved in the sessions, giving us direct insight into how they wanted the music to feel and where each element of the track should be placed within the 360º space. This collaboration allowed us to accentuate each musician’s personality, creating a highly personalised listening experience that felt true to the band’s vision.

For the track “Rockabye,” we revisited the original recordings made in the same Ark360 recording room fitted with Spatial Audio speaker array and  remixed new stems to be placed within the 360º field, ensuring that the spatial elements enhanced the emotional depth of the track. The mixing process was tailored to each song, using spatial effects and dynamic sound placement to create a unique auditory experience.

 

Stage 4: Critical Listening Across Multiple Platforms
After mixing each track, we conducted critical listening tests to ensure that the spatial audio mixes sounded exceptional across various devices. These tests were performed on high-end speakers, consumer headphones, soundbars, TVs, mobile phones, and laptops. This stage ensured that the tracks maintained their full spatial potential, providing a consistent and engaging experience for listeners, no matter what device they were using.

 

Stage 5: Final Quality Check and Rendering
The final stage involved a thorough quality check of each track to ensure it met the highest industry standards. Once the team was satisfied with the mixes, we rendered the final Spatial Audio master files, preparing them for release. The result was a complete album that offered an unparalleled listening experience, fully aligned with Clean Bandit’s artistic intent.

 

Outcome:
By using our proven five-stage formula and collaborating closely with Clean Bandit, we were able to create a Spatial Audio mix of What Is Love? that highlighted each musician's unique contribution. The final product was an album that fully embraced the possibilities of 360º mixing, delivering an extraordinary listening experience that brought the band’s vision to life. The track “Rockabye,” in particular, showcased how revisiting and reworking previous sessions within the spatial environment could lead to even more compelling and immersive results.

The success of this project confirmed ARK360º as experts in Spatial Audio production, with a track record of delivering top-tier, personalized experiences for artists. Clean Bandit’s What Is Love? album became a perfect example of how spatial audio can elevate music to new heights, providing listeners with an experience that feels as though they are right there with the band.