Label of the Month Interview - Federico Soler Fernández

What first got you into sound production?

After dedicating a few years to writing trailer music, I decided to try my hand at the art of sound design in the hopes of embedding my tracks with a unique flavour, if ever I could find it.

It certainly required daily practice and discipline, but I eventually managed to put together a selection of well-thought-out sounds I could confidently call a sample pack.

I soon discovered a symbiotic relationship between my work as a trailer music composer and a sound designer.

Learning to record or synthesize interesting sound sources and skilfully combining layers was indeed illuminating. But being able to implement the resulting sounds into my music was game-changing.

How would you describe your sound?

I specialise in cinematic/trailer sound design—meaning risers, downers, braams, drones, whooshes, hits, booms, etc.

I try my best to create pieces that fit the audio-visual production process.

Composers and editors spend a considerable amount of time per project simply choosing the right sounds from a pool of thousands.

That's why each of my sounds needs to have a clear function and be easy to find and implement.

My work should be recognizable but not mainstream, and it should sound finished and be ready to go but leave enough room for extra layering or further tweaking.

What inspires your sound?

I'd say simple curiosity, mostly. I'm often amazed at what synthesizers can help create and how simple automation can shape sounds in unforeseeable ways. I'm also fascinated by how such short recordings can provoke an honest emotional reaction in the listener.

Let's say I record some slow taps on a rusty metallic sheet tray while I slowly scratch it with my keys or nails, for example— I usually work on my horror and tension sound design late at night as it helps me picture myself in a scary scenario more easily.

Done the right way, it'll trigger a fear-related reaction in my body. Maybe I'll turn on a few more lights or look over my shoulder even though I know I'm alone.

The process of morphing these anxiety-inducing recordings and layering them with similar sounds should aim to enhance the emotional impact the final product will ultimately deliver. Composers then translate these sensations into their tracks by selecting and implementing our sounds. Video editors, in turn, combine the music with moving images to create an even deeper emotional reaction in the target audience. It all begins with how well sound designers can convey emotion through their work.

What do you like most about making sounds?

Sound Design introduced me to the world of modular synthesis, a new technology for me, and I couldn't be happier with the concepts I learned from it. It's fun but challenging; it's precise but chaotic; it's simple yet demanding. I am above all, grateful for having met such talented people within the industry like my friends and compatriots Matías Cerviño (Seasoned Sample Libraries Designer "MatíasMacSD" - Dodge This, Distorted Perception, Dare, Affright) and Martín E. Insaurgarat (Experienced Trailer Music Composer - Raya, Mortal Kombat, Sonic, Cobra Kai). 

I also think sound design is one of the safest and more stable job choices for audio professionals. I'm yet to feel any pressure competition-wise nor feel unwelcomed or neglected by the community. My experience has been nothing but enjoyable, and it has helped me build a passive income stream with flexible hours and plenty of creative freedom. 

Where is your favourite place/the most unusual place you have heard one of your sounds?

I suppose the placement I'd be the proudest of would be the "Spiral: Saw (2021 Movie) Official Trailer," which racked up more than 12 million views on the Lionsgate Movies YouTube channel. If I could send a message today to my 16-year-old, guitar-studying self, to tell him that my music and sounds would reach that many people in the future, I bet he'd have a lot of questions about time travel—and perhaps a few about where all his guitar picks went.

Who have you worked with? What has been your favourite one?

As a sound designer, I worked with companies like Soundly, Noiiz, Artlist, Red Room Audio, and PulseSetter Sounds, to name a few. They were very polite and professional while commissioning me to design and license

sounds for their websites, software, online stores, virtual instruments, and sample libraries. I had a great time, and I'm indeed looking forward to working with them again in the future. I couldn't recommend these companies enough.

If you didn't become a sound producer, what would you be doing right now?

I'd most likely be a writer as being a published author is one of my dreams. I enjoy learning about story arcs, structure, character development, personality traits, etc. Whenever I have some free time, I enjoy taking courses on creative writing and publishing. It's fun.

Of all the creative activities I ever incurred, writing has the most significant potential for immersion. I believe this has to do with its simplicity—you can build worlds as fast as you can type on your keyboard.

It takes considerably longer to transcribe what I imagine into a music piece. I have to open several virtual instruments, wait for them to load, maybe hook up my guitar—it's a slow process.

What's a quote you live by?

It's a quote Grandpa José always tells my siblings and me. At almost 93 years old, he's still working in his workshop, living life to the fullest, and continues to be an example for many.

First in Spanish because it rhymes:

“El que a los veinte no es valiente y a los treinta no es hombre, a los cuarenta no es rico y a los cincuenta es un borrico.”

Now, in English (adjusted):

"If in your twenties you're not brave and in your thirties, you're not a man—in your forties you won't be rich and, by the time you're fifty, it'll be too late."

Your twenties (which will soon be over for me) is a decade for you to experiment and explore different paths without fear and with great optimism.

Throughout your thirties, you should be moulded into a responsible and dependable adult. You should find purpose and gain integrity and maturity. Having failed to strive for these milestones, you won't be rich by the time you get to forty. But, in this context, rich doesn't mean having a lot of money. On the contrary, rich is a man who’s surrounded by affection, family, and meaning in his life. By this logic, your fifties should be a far too late stage in your life to gain back the three decades you just wasted.

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?

Yes, my dad is a talented photographer, and he taught me how to use a lovely Nikon camera my mom bought for me a few years back. Learning about colour grading, lighting, focal lengths, and similar concepts has been such a fun pastime for me. It also encouraged me to go outside and be in touch with nature. Sound engineering is fantastic, don't get me wrong, but it can sometimes make you forget there's quite a big world outside your studio, with beautiful birds and sunsets you can enjoy

capturing. I've also been quite into baking sourdough bread, baguettes, croissants, pizzas, and more. I've been reading about it, watching the tutorials, and trying my best not to burn anything—although burning a few calories would come in handy at this point. There are exciting science facts behind fermentation, and there are kneading, shaping, and

scoring techniques you need to learn and practise. The process for each loaf takes a couple of days, so it requires a little patience—this is in part

why the process is so rewarding. There's also a very active community online sharing their progress and ideas. I'm glad to be part of it.

What can we expect to see in the future from you?

I'll definitely continue to release new sample packs and sample pack series. Some of them will explore the world of short films and documentaries, while others will aim at indie game developers and game studios. There'll also be many more trailer sample packs, trailer tools albums, and virtual instruments for the cinematic composer.

Hopefully, we'll see the release of my first book someday soon. I'd love to share my story a little more in detail and show young professionals how they can make a career out of their passion with nothing but an internet connection, no matter their country of origin.

Before I go, I'd like to thank my soon-to-be wife, Sofía, for all her support these years. She always encourages me to pursue different creative outlets and actively listens to all my experiences and ideas (the good ones and the bad ones)—she's an anaesthesiologist who knows more than her fair share about sample rates, printing stems, and VCV Rack. Thank you for being there for me.

Also, a big thank you to Glyn Lloyd and the team behind Loot Audio for featuring me on the site. They were the first ever online store to accept my sample packs, and I couldn't be happier to have worked with you these many years. 

Here's to many more, Federico.

If your label would like to get your story in front of your customers and be considered for our next Label of the Month, get in touch with our team at info@lootaudio.com.