January 5, 2010

Advanced Audio scores with "Avatar"

Advanced Audio provided a complete 10Mhz based ProTools HD film scoring system to the Newman Scoring Stage at 20th Century Fox Studios for the recording of "Avatar", the mega-blockbuster 3D sci-fi thriller from James Cameron.

The scoring system was built around the Antelope Audio 10Mhz atomic clock reference. All of the ProTools HD systems locked to this master clock reference, as well as the stage's house distribution system. Advanced Audio also provided modified Genex audio converters to achieve even lower noise and distortion. A 3D feature film with so many music, FX, and dialog tracks needs to gain signal to noise wherever possible in order to deliver an aural presentation in-line with such intense C.G. and video graphics as this movie contains. 

Storage requirements for "Avatar" were no less demanding. Advanced Audio provided SAS/SATA technology developed specifically for ProTools HD. Working with Atto Technology, Advanced Audio provided SAS RAID cards for the main record drive array. A non-RAID SAS card was installed to operate in tandem with the RAID card in order to perform simultaneous background transfers so the ProTools operator could backup film cues while recording a new cue on the main RAID array. This methodology greatly reduced the time that it took to backup data so that the session could enjoy an uninterrupted workflow. One terabyte Hitachi hard drives were used for both the main RAID array as well as the backup drives.

Duplicate systems were also provided for the music mix at Record One Studios in Sherman Oaks, CA. Careful attention to details were made by chief tech Chris Miles and ProTools tech Michael Matta to ensure that scoring mixer Simon Rhodes had a rock-solid system for both the score and the mix. ProTools operator Kevin Globerman also enjoyed being able to concentrate on the tasks at hand without having to worry about all of the hardware running in the background.

Advanced Audio is the industry leader in ProTools HD and digital audio equipment rentals to the film and post-production community in Los Angeles and abroad.