THX Advertisement: 25 May 1999 By: Marco d'Ambrosio
N/A DVD
http://www.thx.com/ THX, a division of LucasFilm that works to standardize and improve the delivery of sound in movie theatres, will be premiering a new, Dolby Digital-Surround EX version of their audio logo that will be shown just prior to
The Phantom Menace (and from then on, prior to every film shown in THX-certified theatres). Marco d'Ambrosio—a composer, sound designer and THX veteran, now in his own company MarcoCo—took elements of the original logo and augmented them with about 20 ProTools tracks of new elements generated using the Kyma Sound Design Workstation.
Discussion (Descriptions, reviews, discussion):
As riveting as the special visual effects may be, it is the sound for
The Phantom Menace that comes closest to creating a truly immersive environment. Unlike the visuals, which are projected on a screen at the front of the theatre only, the sound will be sent on multiple channels to speakers positioned throughout the theatre.
The Phantom Menace will be the first film to be shown in the new Dolby Digital-Surround EX format—providing even more channels of sound and more chair-shaking bass than the 5.1 Surround Sound technology which was premiered in the original Star Wars film.
Marco d'Ambrosio took elements of the original logo and augmented them with about 20 ProTools tracks of new elements generated using the Kyma Sound Design Workstation. It was a challenge bringing all the elements together, but finally, on the day of the deadline, they mixed what is now known as "Broadway 2000" at Skywalker Ranch. Gary Rizzo, of Lucas Digital, engineered the final mix on a new AMS Neve DFC console, keeping the entire signal path, from source to print master in the digital domain at 24 bits. The consensus? "The general comment from everyone was 'It Rocks!'" said d'Ambrosio. "The new chord is much fuller, and, although at 15 seconds it doesn't have the same time to swarm as the original, the same effect is achieved, with much greater bass." So when can we hear it? D'Ambrosio smiles. "Listen for it in front of
The Phantom Menace at a THX theatre near you!"
