Sound, SoHo Style: One Thousand Birds — New York City

May 6th, 2019 by David Weiss

Style never goes out of style in audio post. But there’s nothing superficial about the aesthetic projected by bicoastal sound purveyor One Thousand Birds.

Sound design and mixing for advertising, film, VR, and experiential — for brands including Glossier Play, Peloton, Spotify, 29Rooms — are primary parts of their portfolio, but that only partially describes what OTB is about: Culture, art and experimentation are all essential to how they operate. That’s true in their Los Angeles studio, but especially so in their latest NYC enclave.

After beginning in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood in 2013 and then moving to Chinatown, OTB co-founders Andrew Tracy and Laura Dopp snagged their third-times-the-charm spot in SoHo. Clearly the company is feeding off the energy of this epic Manhattan neighborhood, with a growing client base, a sharp team of sound designers and mixers, plus a surprisingly thriving sideline devising experimental audio.

Nestled happily in a former artists loft, OTB has arrived at its natural home. Blessed with skylights, their sun-filled expansive top floor reveals surprises at every turn for their visitors. And that includes more than just clients, as their community-minded ethos sparks regular parties, events, concerts and sound baths in their very vibey house.

On the off chance that Tracy and Dopp run low on fresh ideas, they need only step outside their front door on Wooster Street for a guaranteed recharge.

“Just walking through SoHo gives you ideas,” says Tracy. “The Dolby Experience is a few minutes away, Gucci is right across the street, and there’s a crazy sunglasses store called Gentle Monster downstairs that goes the whole length of this building, filled with kinetic art sculptures. It all inspires the things that we make.”

: The main room of One Thousand Birds’ studio. It’s open, bright and inviting. We also host sound baths and meditation experiences in this room, moving all of the furniture and rolling out mats and blankets for the optimal relaxation experience.

: The plant pyramid and laser harp are a testament to the types of experimental experiential projects we started creating for fun that turned into a lucrative division of OTB’s business. The laser harp has laser lights instead of strings and a number of different sound options from voices to horror sounds to traditional harp music. The plant pyramid is also interactive, making sounds when you touch the leaves.

: Studio Milk features a skylight on the ceiling, custom wooden desks and sound panels and state of the art sound equipment including a custom built VR capable PC workstation, Dante connectivity, Genelec monitors, and recording booth with Neumann mics. Both studios have custom desks for clients to sit and work while providing feedback on a mix.

: Studio Tea. Another open studio with custom desks and sound panels, custom built VR capable PC workstation, Dante connectivity, Genelec monitors, and recording booth with Neumann mics.

: Our producer’s desk has its own quiet, cozy nook to get work done without distractions.

: There’s no lack of personality and artistic touches in our space. Our bathroom wallpaper is whimsical and encourages our staff and clients to think creatively.

: Our front desk also doubles as a DJ booth. We host monthly DJ sessions and parties in our studio, so this table comes in handy.

: OTB’s roof deck is a great spot to get some sun and a change of scenery during the workday, we even have WiFi to work up here.

: In the past, this rooftop was home to experimental film screenings, but now it offers us an outdoor space for work and play.

: Looking out from our rooftop we have a great view of the SoHo streets…

: …giving us inspiration from the hustle and bustle of the city below.

: Street level view of our block. Our neighbors are luxury retailers, pop-up shops and long time residents. The SoHo streets are full of history and creative inspiration.

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