The Sound of The Creator is a follow-up article, to the the behind-the-scenes breakdown of the Lotus Evija project, The Creator. Working with Norwich-based Sound Post House, Doppler & Dubbs, we look at how they created the SFX and score to this epic launch film.

The Approach

The aim for The Creator, was to create a visceral soundscape empathising the raw powerful elements of water, earth, fire and breath. This would build and evolve into the energy and drama of an electrical storm; mirroring the evolution from elemental life forces to the pinnacle of technological achievement.

The Sound Design

Initially, the sound design illustrated these real world qualities drawing from a combination of layered foley recordings. This covered the 3 main frequency bands of low, mid and high EQ, plus, synthetic elements to emphasise some of these EQ ranges like the bass frequencies of water or the high end crackle of a camp fire.

We then utilised more electronic elements with vocal layers run through tremolo, distortion and pitch shifting effects and electric static to produce a sense of a rising energy, power surges and impact.

Finally, distorted cinematic hits and braams lend an added weight and drama, along with the introduction of sub elements to accompany the real world palette of thunder and lightning strikes.

After this point the sound design centres on electronic based sounds that transport us into a new age of technology culminating in an audio branding of the final logo.

The Sound Mix for The Creator

The Score

The music score continues to draw on these raw elements. Tribal voices, viking style low horns, cinematic & percussion and hybrid cello drones support the sound design, whilst slowly introducing tribal rhythmic drum patterns.

The skin drums, tablas and ethnic ensemble build to a crescendo during the electrified transformation section then sync with harder metallic hits to emphasise the fast cut edit that reveals the Lotus Evija. 

The music sat mainly in the lower register of frequencies given space to the sound design so that it could punch through utilising the higher range creating clarity and impact.

Musical instruments were created, by manipulating and layering cellos, flutes, voices, de-tuned guitars and feedback. These, combined with cinematic hits and tribal drums gave us our musical palette. Electronica pads and stings morphed into the sound design to bridge the gap between the two and create the final transformative soundscape.

Ultimately the sound design and the music were treated as one soundscape, in an effort to be as cohesive as possible. So the line between the two at times was indistinguishable.

Doppler & Dubbs is a Sound Post Production studio based in Norwich, UK.

With over 30 years experience, and a portfolio boasting high-end brands, agencies and films studios; D&D offer sound design, music composition, dialogue editing, ADR mixing & editing, foley mixing  and multi channel re-recording mixing.