Carmen Rizzo Scores with an M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96
Carmen Rizzo Scores with an M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96
Acclaimed Sound Designer Pens Tracks for New Volkswagen GX3 Ads
Acclaimed Sound Designer Pens Tracks for New Volkswagen GX3 Ads
When Volkswagen got ready to release their highly anticipated GX3 automobile/motorcycle hybrid, they wanted to create an advertising campaign that was as unique as the GX3 itself. Artist/composer/producer Carmen Rizzo, known for his moody electronic compositions, got the call to produce original music for a series of GX3 commercials and promotional videos. In order to give the tracks a very different feel, Rizzo wanted to include elements of the vehicle itself in the music. Armed with an M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96, Rizzo recorded door slams, seat belts and other items, and then used those sounds as the building blocks for his composition.
“It was my suggestion to try to incorporate the sound of the car into the music,” Rizzo explains. “So, I got my MicroTrack 24/96 and went out on location to see the car while they were shooting the footage for the video. I used the MicroTrack to record the seatbelt sound, the gearshift, you know, various engine noises. I wanted to capture what it sounds like to be in the car. Then I loaded those sounds into Battery and Pro Tools, and that helped kind of create the sound design and the rhythm for the piece.
“It was actually the first time I really used the MicroTrack,” he continues. “And I was a little uncertain about the microphone to be honest. So, I ended up bringing a Sony mic as a backup. But in fact, the M-Audio mic sounded better so I ended up using that. It was fantastic. The great thing about the MicroTrack is that it’s very, very simple to use. It comes with a CompactFlash card, the AC cable, the USB cable and the microphone. I didn't even have to read the manual. I just looked at it, took about five minutes to figure out what things do, and it worked. You don’t have to be like a rocket scientist to use this thing.”
Be sure to keep an eye out for Carmen Rizzo’s work on the GX3 advertising campaign, or visit www.carmenrizzo.com for more information about the artist.
“It was my suggestion to try to incorporate the sound of the car into the music,” Rizzo explains. “So, I got my MicroTrack 24/96 and went out on location to see the car while they were shooting the footage for the video. I used the MicroTrack to record the seatbelt sound, the gearshift, you know, various engine noises. I wanted to capture what it sounds like to be in the car. Then I loaded those sounds into Battery and Pro Tools, and that helped kind of create the sound design and the rhythm for the piece.
“It was actually the first time I really used the MicroTrack,” he continues. “And I was a little uncertain about the microphone to be honest. So, I ended up bringing a Sony mic as a backup. But in fact, the M-Audio mic sounded better so I ended up using that. It was fantastic. The great thing about the MicroTrack is that it’s very, very simple to use. It comes with a CompactFlash card, the AC cable, the USB cable and the microphone. I didn't even have to read the manual. I just looked at it, took about five minutes to figure out what things do, and it worked. You don’t have to be like a rocket scientist to use this thing.”
Be sure to keep an eye out for Carmen Rizzo’s work on the GX3 advertising campaign, or visit www.carmenrizzo.com for more information about the artist.
