Wise Buddah plans major revamp, strengthens engineering department

Wise Buddah Studios has appointed a new dubbing mixer and is upgrading a second sound suite to 5.1 after seeing an increase in TV audio post-production work.

Former Pinewood Studios mixer James Doyle has been added to its roster of sound engineers, while an overhaul of Studio 3 will see a new Avid C24 control surface installed, along with 5.1 monitoring, a dedicated foley area, voiceover capabilities and improved acoustics.

The move signals the start of a 24-month process – to be managed by senior engineer Jon Last – that will see the whole of Wise Buddah’s central London facility upgraded.

The firm’s managing director Dave Holt said: “As well as adding more capacity for 5.1 mixing, the addition of a well specified foley space will improve our capabilities for both TV and advertising clients. At the same time, talent is a key ingredient of what we do so having James join the team, with his enthusiasm and experience, will significantly bolster our TV and film offering."

As part of the studio upgrade, the control room in Studio 3 will be re-engineered, with the existing Pro Control mixing surface replaced with a new Avid C24. Monitors will be upgraded to Focal Solo 6be and from stereo to 5.1, making it suitable for HD work – including Dolby E – as well as pre-mixing for cinema advertss and films.

A voiceover and foley area will be added to Studio 3’s live room, while a cosmetic makeover will improve the working environment for clients recording DVD commentaries and doing face-to-face and ISDN interviews.

Doyle spent seven years at Pinewood Studios before joining Soho Square Studios and most recently Brown Bag Films in Dublin. His TV credits include Sadie J, Born Survivor (Diverse), Zingzillas and Would I Lie To You? (Zeppotron) for the BBC and Guinness World Records Smashed (Outline Productions) for Sky.

He has also worked on a number of feature films, including Justin and the Knights of Valour – on which he was voice director – and Disney/Pixar’s Brave (original dialogue mixer), as well as two live action Ken Loach films – Route Irish and Looking for Eric.

Recent Wise Buddah audio post-production credits include the 5.1 mix on Girls Aloud Ten for MTV, Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records (ITV/IMG Media), Goodbye Television Centre (BBC) and ADR work on House of Anubis (Lime Pictures/Nickelodeon).

The Studio 3 upgrade will be completed by the end of May 2013.

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