What's Choppin'
Check here for the latest and the greatest news from the Chop Shop! We'll keep you posted on new projects, gear, industry buzz, and news from our friends.
June 2011
DCS launches the next season of the Detroit Chop Shop Video Diaries with the latest interns, Adam Grabowski, Dan Lorenz, Connor Ranucci and Nick Schoonover. Each week, the team gather and create new sound effects, primarily for release in the Blastwave FX libraries, while documenting all the fun and insanity along the way! To check out the episodes, visit our YouTube Channel.
Sony releases the Detroit Chop Shop signature sound effects series! The series features ten collections of sound effects ranging from Ambiences and Industrial to Production Elements and Science Fiction. You can check out the series at
www.sonymediasoftware.com.
April 2011
Blastwave FX announces the release of Sonopedia 2.0 – the exciting upgrade to the encyclopedia of HD sound effects. Created by Ric Viers, Sonopedia 2.0 is the professional sound effects library for high definition media production.
The Sonopedia 2.0 Upgrade Features Include:
- 10,000 New Sound Effects!
- Over 400 5.1 Surround Sound Effects
- Sound Effects Loops!
- More variety in takes (Distance, Velocity, Duration)
- The only General HD Sound Effects Library to include a suite of Production Elements
- A new category: Textures – featuring sound effects design elements!
In total, Sonopedia 2.0 has over 30,000 HD sound effects pre-installed on an ultra-quiet, Glyph GT 050Q hard drive (FireWire 400/800, USB 2.0/eSata), which includes a 3 year warranty from Glyph, and is compatible on Mac and PC. All sounds are broadcast .wav files (24/96, 24/48, 16/44.1) and include mp3 reference files. That’s over 300 GB of sound effects! Sonopedia 2.0 comes with a search engine that is powered by NetMix LESearch Software, allowing users to search, audition, and drag n' drop into any project.
Sonopedia 2.0 sound effects were recorded and mastered at 24/96 and are cataloged with enriched embedded metadata for easy search and retrieval in Pro Tools, AVID, SoundMiner, NetMix, iTunes and other popular sound library search engines. Blastwave FX’s Sonopedia 2.0 allows instant access to the highest quality sound effects for editors and sound professionals.
February 2011
If you haven't heard yet, the Detroit Chop Shop has been producing a weekly video diary that features Ric and his crew of interns on location. To keep up on the series, become a fan of the Sound Effects Bible Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/sfxbible.
Also, DCS is happy to announce the official release and premiere of Rode TV from Rode Microphones. DCS produced the series Rode Rage, hosted by Ric Viers. Rode Rage features interviews with some of the most influential sound professionals in the business. You learn how they have made their mark in the sound business and what they are up to now. Topics range from film to television and video games to music. Visit http://www.rodetv.com/rode_rage_with_ric.
January 2011
Happy New Year! At the Detroit Chop Shop, we welcome the new year with much enthusiasm. To start off, DCS released the Sound Effects Bible Hard Drive on www.soundeffectsbible.com. This 5,000 sound effects hard drive is the perfect beginning for new sound designers to start building their sound effects collection. Check out the Sound Effects Bible website for more information.
DCS is also proud to announce the addition of three new interns this new year. Originally, we had only planned for two open internships; however, a third just had to be added after the long process of interviewing (which began in early December) ended the first week of January. You'll be hearing and seeing more about the interns in the coming months.
Rode Microphones' new Rode Rage video series that was produced by DCS and is hosted by Ric Viers is getting ready for its big launch in the coming weeks. If you've had your ears to the ground, you've probably have gotten wind of it via YouTube already. The official premiere has yet to be announced or released. Stay tuned for more!
October 2010
Halloween is almost upon us, just in time to scare us into winter. The end of summer is a depressing time of year for most of us at DCS, but for Ric Viers, it is the countdown to his favorite holiday - Halloween. In honor of Ric, Blastwave FX has a special deal on their Horror I sound effects library. Check it out here: www.blastwavefx.com
DCS has wrapped another video series for Rode Microphones. The new series is an exciting behind the scenes look at the sound industry in Hollywood. Look for a link and more press when Rode Microphones releases it.
Ric recently did a interview for soundscalpel.com. You can read the entire interview here: Ric Viers Interview.
June 2010
DCS is gearing up for a busy summer and things have really been shaking around the studio lately.
Our former intern, Jon Borland, who ceremonially left us in April has landed a job at Skywalker Sound. That's right, the very same Skywalker Sound that makes all of those cool Lucas movies sound awesome! We are very proud of the work Jon did at DCS and are doubly proud that he has the chops to play with George Lucas' toys now. Good luck, Jon!
Ric Viers recently was a presenter at Full Sail's Hall Of Fame induction in Orlando, Florida for his long time friend Troy DeVolld. He and Ric attended Full Sail back when digital was the new and exciting thing in audio. Troy has gone on to produce any successful reality shows for such networks at MTV, ABC, A&E, and many more.
Finally, Ric has been working on his latest super-duper top secret project and teaching classes at Macomb Community College on audio basics and location sound production.
Check back next month to read more about what's happening at the Chop Shop and have a great summer!
March 2010
First, our apologies for neglecting our What's Choppin' section of the site, but you'll soon realize that we've been super busy and that's a good thing.
DCS recently wrapped up the Rode University video series that features their entire line of broadcast microphones and is hosted Ric Viers. Go to www.rodeuniversity.com to check out the vids and get the scoop on Rode's awesome mics.
Our intern, Jon Borland, did a down and dirty sound design and mix for the feature film "Lakeland Love Comedy" directed by Dave DeBorde. Jon had just 72 hours to do it in order to meet a film festival deadline. He slept for 24 hours after.
Ric has signed on with Creative Film Studies in Madison Heights to teach a location sound course that will cover everything from mic selection to which snacks to horde at the craft services table. The Creative Film Studies is paving the way in Michigan for training individuals in, you guessed it, the film industry.
Blastwave FX and Avid have partnered for a brand new sound design competition. Ric Viers is one of the judges! Those interested in signing up for the contest can learn more about it at Avid Blastwave Contest.
DCS produced a new sound effects collection for Blastwave FX called Bugs! The production included several sessions with real insects being let loose in the Foley studio - including a cricket who was never found or ever heard from again... You can check out Bugs! at www.blastwavefx.com under the animals category.
As always, DCS was busy producing radio spots for several radio stations, including Cincinnati's Real Talk 1160 AM. These promo spots are always a great time for the DCS designers to cut loose and have some fun.
Ric Viers finished sound design for a short film called "Musings" directed by Bernie Tague. This was a SAG short film used to promote The Detroit Institute of Arts. Post sound involved ADR for 100% of the dialogue thanks to some noisy fountains and a busy location. The location scout was ceremonially executed afterwards.
So, as you can see, we've been really busy at the Chop Shop and expect 2010 to be even busier! Check back with us to see if there is anything going on in your neck of the woods with DCS as our work continues to go national and beyond!
November 2009
Here's some news for you before the holidays carry us away until 2010. DCS recently designed the audio intro for a website for a company called Incentex. They wanted something that would catch visitor's attention and said class. So, they came to the Detroit Chop Shop.
This month, Ric Viers was a guest speaker at Macomb Community College's Lights Camera Career event. It was a great turnout and MCC is gearing up to offer sound classes taught by Ric. We're excited for him. The keynote speaker for the Lights Camera Career event was none other than celebrity hairstylist Billy Lowe.
As always, DCS has been providing location sound support in the area. Our most recent client was ESPN. Film production in the area is at an all time high and we've had our share of post work, location work, and consulting, too.
One final note: if you haven't caught wind of it yet, the Sound Effects Bible and Ric Viers now have Facebook pages. Feel free to join the fun and get the latest news from that side of the business.
That's it from the world's largest producer of sound effects, The Detroit Chop Shop. Have a great holiday season and we'll see you in 2010!
September 2009
Summer is over and we're moving into fall. Thanks, Captain Obvious! You're welcome.
DCS had a busy season. Ric Viers, our fearless leader, traveled the country promoting his book the Sound Effects Bible, getting great feedback from readers, professors, and industry professionals. The book is starting to find its way into film schools around the country and is quickly becoming the "Bible" for sound effects recording techniques. It's a good thing he called it the Sound Effects Bible!
The Chop Shop is proud of the work done on Chuck Grady's short film "The Point." It's making the festival rounds and had a couple of showings around town. Word on the street is that it's Chuck's masterpiece. We're excited for Mr. Grady and are looking forward to working on his future projects.
We recently wrapped up a call to action commercial for a product called Yoga Toes. That's right, Yoga Toes. We banged out the VO and sound design for the :30 second piece. Also, DCS designed the audio intro for a company called Incentex and their new website catering to aviation professionals.
The infamous feature film "Stick It In Detroit" has landed a theatrical distribution deal! No longer stuck in Detroit, this meaningful, yet slap stick comedy is going to the big screen. Of course, all post sound design was produced at the Detroit Chop Shop. We're very happy for Robert Phelps and we'll keep you posted on where you can see this gut buster.
DCS would also like to welcome Jon Borland, our new slave, er... we mean intern. Jon is a new guy big wig. He won a scholarship to Vancouver Film School with a youtube.com video entry called "Imagination." Check it out here. You can see more of Jon's work on his website www.jonborland.com. Mr. Intern will also be contributing to a new blog on soundeffectsbible.com, documenting his experiences at the Chop Shop.
Finally, we're happy to report that DCS is producing a series of video tutorials for Rode Microphones' website www.rodeuniversity.com. Ric is hosting this semester's classes that feature Rode's line of broadcast microphones and will be sharing practical and creative solutions for your sound needs using the mics.
That's it from the DCS news room. Stay tuned for more curious updates from the guys that rock - The Detroit Chop Shop.
July 2009
Here's the mid-year break down. The Chop Shop is currently wrapping up post sound production for the short film "The Point", directed by Chuck Grady. Chuck is an amazing director who not only knows how to tell a story, but makes some beautifully shot films. "The Point" is his cherry on the sundae and we're proud to make it sound as good as good can get.
Recently the Chop Shop crew worked on their fourth project with A&W Movies. The short film "Presumption" was made as part of the 48 Hour Film Challenge (www.48hourfilm.com) for the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival (DWIFF). The film won four awards that include "Best Movie", "Best Director", "Best Cinematography", and "Audience Choice". You'll notice that there isn't a "Best Sound" award. That's because most festivals don't have a best sound category! But, as we've said before, none of these other awards would be possible if the judges and the audience couldn't hear the film. So, sound makes movies win awards - again.
We've been banging out radio spots for stations across the Midwest. We did a silly little commercial for one of the stations that you can listen to here - "Therapy Session" Our video services have been put to good use recently. The Chop Shop just finished shooting a series of training videos for Smart USA the makers of the Smart Car.
Finally, and as always, our ENG and location sound support services have been working hard. Recent clients include State Farm, Mark Burnett, and SAG.
January 2009
Happy New Year and what a great new year it's going to be! That's saying a lot with today's economic times. If you're paying attention, dooms day is just around the corner, but The Detroit Chop Shop is going to work right up to that final minute when the world implodes. Why? Because we rock!
We started out working on some pick up scenes for the infamous STICK IT IN DETROIT, affectionately known as Stuck In Detroit at the Chop Shop. Director Robert Phelps has a winner on his hands and with the new added scenes hopefully he'll get the distribution he's been hunting down.
The Chop Shop has also been keeping busy with our usual suspects in the world of ENG. We've been sending sound crews out all month. Also, DCS added a new company to the roster of Chop Shop love in the Big 'D' - Mark Burnett Productions. They called on the Choppers to give them the quality location sound support only DCS can give.
Finally, if you're listening to the radio then you are listening to the Chop Shop's work. Yeah, we've been banging out radio promos, tags, and commercials like mad. Our work is never done.
October 2008
It's been a crazy summer and it's sure to be a crazy fall. Our fearless leader and audio guru, Ric Viers, has officially released his book, The Sound Effects Bible, on October 1st, through Michael Wiese Productions. It's available all over and whether you're a seasoned professional or a newbie, this book has some great tid bits and sound, no pun intended, advice. Check it out!
Blastwave FX announced a sound designing contest with Post Magazine. Contenders design a piece using sounds published by Blastwave FX and produced by The Detroit Chop Shop. Entries are judged by Oscar award winning sound designers and the winner receives $4000 worth of sound effects! Click here for more information.
June 2008
The Detroit Chop Shop does post sound work on two award winning films. STICK IT IN DETROIT, a film by Robert Phelps, had it's debut at the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival and took home the award for best feature comedy. All post audio work was done at The Detroit Chop Shop. There is no doubt in our minds that the movie wouldn't have been that funny if the audience couldn't hear it. So, there you have it. Sound makes people laugh and movies win awards!
The second film was a rush. It was a short film produced for the 48 hour film contest at the DWIFF. All post audio work was done up to the very last second that the contest allowed. It was nuts! The editor literally turned in a laptop that was rendering the final version! THE SILENCER, directed and produced by Wes Heath, took home the grand prize for best film in the 48 hour film contest category. Again, we say with absolute humbleness, that we believe with all of our hearts at The Detroit Chop Shop that if the audience couldn't hear the film, well then they just wouldn't have found it that entertaining. Hence, sound makes movies entertaining and win awards, again! Yeah, we rock.
May 2008
Just off of a very successful NAB, DCS is in development on various new niche sound effects libraries for Blastwave FX. "This year's collections will push the envelope. Quintessential is the buzz word for this year." - Ric Viers
April 2008
Blastwave FX releases the only HD sound effects collection in the world at NAB this year. Sonopedia consists of over 20,000 high definition general sound effects, all produced at The Detroit Chop Shop! To learn more visit: www.blastwavefx.com.
January 2008
Ric Viers finished the final draft on his new book, The Sound Effects Bible. "It's the book we all wish we had when we were starting out," says new author Ric Viers. The boys at the Chop Shop are really proud of Ric, but don't worry, they don't let it get to his head. Published through Michael Wiese Productions, The Sound Effects Bible is slated for a Fall '08 release. To learn more visit: www.soundeffectsbible.com.
