Fran Soto interview

Fran-Soto

Find Fran @
Official website
Soundcloud
Epic Soul Factory

Brief list of credits:

Really Slow Motion

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do for a living?

Every day at lunch time I work in a school canteen for disabled children. Also, I’m working in Gloom Studio (3D Animation production house) as Sound Engineer, Sound Designer and Music Composer. I’m doing music for Epic Soul Factory with Cesc Vilà, David de la Morena and Eduardo Jiménez. Rest of the time I’m composing, taking photos and designing for fun. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in “Cosmogeny” by “Really Slow Motion” with my track “Zion’s Glory”, and I’m involved in a TOP SECRET Project. I’ve worked for some shortfilms before, including “Etéreo (Ethereal)” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2306531/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), and this summer I’ll be involved in a bigger audiovisual project.

What is your niche or speciality, that makes you stand out from rest of the audio professionals?

I think I’m good with the melodies. It’s easy for me creating catchy tunes with only a few chords.

Can you give us a brief summary of the equipment you use regularly?

It’s a PC: i7 930 (3GhZ), 24GB Ram, 2HDD 1tb (Raid 1), 1HDD 500gb (OS), 1 External HDD 1TB, 1SSD 256GB, and for graphics Ati Radeon 1GB G-DDR5. I use Yamaha HS-80 monitors. I have a Rode NT2-a mic, Presonus Studio Channel and Focusrite Saffire Pro-40. I have 2 midi Keyboards, a Casio Privia PX-450 more key-weighted and a M-Audio Oxygen 61.

What are your go-to plug-ins and software? (virtual instruments, audio processing etc.)

I’m using Eastwest Hollywood Series, 8Dio, Soundiron, Projectsam, and Cinesamples. I think this is a must have. I’m using Cubase as DAW. I also use a lot of Slate Digital FG-X in the master track. It’s Awesome! I recommend it!

When do you find you are most creative?

Always that I feel excited or motivated by something. But it is unpredictable.

What is your usual process for creating audio content for games, films etc.?

I don’t usually take the same path to produce something. But it depends in what the director gives to me. Sometimes I work with the script. Other times with a Storyboard in a Timeline, and most of the times I work, if it´s possible, with the final video. When I’m doing music, I usually start improvising in the piano, trying chords, and sometimes, I accidentally play a beautiful melody, then I record it and the music starts flowing!

Are there any particular secrets to your creativity?

No, I do not have any secrets and I don´t think there is one that would make somebody more creative than others.

Do you have any audio creation techniques that resulted in something interesting?

I like experimenting with my voice. Once, I recorded my voice and tried until it sounded like a guitar solo. There is an example in my song AEGIS (https://soundcloud.com/epicsoulfactory/aegis). I had a lot of fun doing this. I think we have to take advantage of our voice because it´s free, and we can do things that we almost can’t imagine.

Any specific “lessons learned” on a project that you could share?

I think we have to be honest and analyze ourselves to get better.

Any tips, hints or motivational speeches for the readers?

If you have a dream and you want to make it come true, what are you waiting for? GO FOR IT!