Dan Fox's journey in the realm of sound and music is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and collaboration. From his early days immersed in the vibrant world of community arts to founding his own innovative company, Sound Intervention, Dan's career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers.
Know more about Dan and his adventures below.
Can you tell us a little bit about your career, how you got started in the industry?
I had the privilege of growing up 'on-the-road' with Welfare State International, a groundbreaking community arts company. Surrounded by a diverse array of artists and musicians, I found my passion for music ignited at a young age, actively participating in performances and installations.
My academic pursuits led me to study drama, film, and television alongside design and technology at St John's College in York. Following my studies, I had the opportunity to spend several years with Dogtroep, an outdoor theater group based in Amsterdam, where I further honed my craft and embraced the collaborative spirit of the arts.
Subsequently, I co-founded a band with three talented Dutch musicians, where I had the opportunity to showcase my skills on trombone, melodeon, tuned percussion, and drums, touring extensively in both the UK and the Netherlands throughout the late 90s.
Transitioning into community music, I immersed myself in crafting drums and orchestrating street performances, establishing a deep connection with audiences. This journey ultimately led to the founding of my own company, Sound Intervention, in 2008.
At Sound Intervention, we specialize in creating immersive installations, dynamic performances, and captivating soundscapes tailored for illuminated trails. Much of our work takes place outdoors and involves innovative off-grid, battery-powered systems, allowing us to seamlessly blend art with nature in unique and engaging ways.
Luminosi Trees at Light Up Leicester 2022
When did you first discover Sound Particles products and what was your initial reaction when you tried them?
Recently, I stumbled upon SkyDust 3D during my research for a commission involving a new composition for an outdoor illuminated trail. This particular trail winds through a narrow valley adorned with three expansive ponds. Positioned at one end of the valley are three distinct pieces, each equipped with its own sound system. During my site visit, it struck me that if all three systems played different compositions, there could potentially be a dissonant clash of sound due to reverberations echoing off the water, trees, and valley walls.
To circumvent this issue, I conceived the idea of crafting a unified piece that would seamlessly traverse all three systems, with certain elements dynamically panning between the speakers while others remained specific to each setup.
SkyDust emerged as an invaluable tool in laying the groundwork for this composition. Once configured to LCR format and with the addition of a center speaker in my studio, I delved into experimenting with panning synths, ultimately weaving together a captivating sonic tapestry to serve as the foundation for the composition. The process was not only fruitful but immensely enjoyable, as I found myself immersed in the creative possibilities offered by SkyDust.
Avenue at Leonardslee Illuminated 2021
Are there any pain-points that Sound Particles products removes from your workflow? Can you talk about any specific creative or technical things that you are able to achieve only with Sound Particles suite of products?
Working with multi-channel audio in the past has provided me with valuable experience, but integrating SkyDust into my workflow has been a game-changer. Its intuitive interface and seamless integration make it incredibly easy to have sounds dynamically panning across multiple channels. This has freed me from the technical parts of routing and automation, allowing me to focus on the musical composition itself.
One of the standout features of SkyDust is its exceptional sound quality. The presets provided are not only diverse but also of superb quality, eliminating the need for extensive tweaking right from the start. While I haven't delved deeply into creating my own presets yet, I've found that even minor adjustments to existing presets yield fantastic results, perfectly tailored to my project's needs.
Overall, SkyDust has not only streamlined my creative process but has also enriched it by providing an expansive palette of high-quality sounds to explore and manipulate. It's been an invaluable asset in bringing my musical visions to life.
What is your favorite Sound Particles product?
Do you have any words of advise for others who aspire to follow your career path?
Stick with it, keep learning, keep experimenting, be original and keep networking.
Thank you Dan!
Topics: Interviews