Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm, US (Eastern)

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You can reach our producer Grace during business hours at (202) 410-8228 or via email at grace@defactosound.com

After hours, shoot us an email and we’ll get back to you in the morning!

We just need two things:

• An AAF or OMF file

• A video file

We wrote the frame.io workflow guide on everything sound! You can find that by clicking here.

Getting started is simple. Just reach out to us! No need to overthink it or provide tons of details upfront. Share whatever you have, and we’ll guide you through the rest.

Once we’re connected, here’s what happens:

1. We’ll ask for an AAF or OMF file and a QuickTime video so we can access your project in Pro Tools exactly as it’s laid out in your edit.

2. Our world-class team will meticulously sound edit, design (if needed), and mix your project to perfection.

3. When ready, we’ll share a frame.io link for your review and make adjustments until you’re completely satisfied.

For more details about delivering project files, check out our guide on the Frame.io website.

Ready to get started? Email our Producer, Grace at grace@defactosound.com

We understand that sound design and mixing are often the final steps in a long production process, so we’re built for speed and flexibility.

For context, about half of our projects come in the same day and require same-day or next-day turnarounds. We’re finely tuned to handle these fast-paced deadlines without sacrificing quality.

For more complex projects, where we collaborate with editors to craft sound as part of the creative process, timelines can vary depending on your needs. Whether you need rapid delivery or a more in-depth, collaborative approach, we’re ready to adapt.

Have a project? Reach out to Grace at grace@defactosound.com to discuss your timeline.

The ideal starting point is a rough cut if you have one, but we understand that’s not always possible. Here’s what helps us get started:

• If You Have a Rough Cut: Send it our way, along with any reference examples or notes.

• If You’re in Pre-Production: Share your brief and any reference examples you have in mind.

Once we have these materials, we can provide a clear plan or bid for your project. Send everything to Grace at grace@defactosound.com to get started.

Every project is unique, so we don’t use a one-size-fits-all pricing model. A 30-second project, for example, could take 30 minutes or several weeks depending on factors like:

• • The complexity of the sound design
  • How early we’re brought into the process
  • The number of stakeholders involved in reviews
  • Agency or brand involvement
  • The number of deliverables and formats (e.g., stereo, 5.1, Atmos)

The best way to get an accurate quote is to share a few details about your project. From there, we’ll quickly assess and provide a detailed estimate—usually the same day.

To get started, email our producer, Grace, at grace@defactosound.com

Defacto Sound stands out because of our unmatched talent, deep experience, and client-focused approach.

Unparalleled Expertise:

We’ve worked on tens of thousands of projects across network television, advertising, award-winning documentaries, branded content, games (in-game and marketing), sonic branding, museum installations, and more.

Our podcast, Twenty Thousand Hertz, connects us to an audience of over 100,000 every two weeks with over 30 million downloads. We explore sound in ways that resonate with professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Elite Talent:

Joining Defacto Sound requires outshining over a thousand candidates from around the world. Our team of sound designers, writers, and producers are the best of the best.

Creative Alignment:

Clients choose us because we think like they do. With our original content experience, we understand how to craft compelling work and collaborate on a shared creative vision.

Client-Centered Service:

We balance being advisors with being in service to you. Our goal is to deliver exceptional sound while making the process positive, seamless, and enjoyable.

At Defacto Sound, you’ll leave with incredible results, and great vibes. To learn more, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

Here’s a detailed look at how we handle your project from start to finish:

1. Session Prep:

• We start by track managing, organizing your materials into a clean, structured Pro Tools session.

2. Dialogue Editing:

• Perform meticulous de-clicking, de-popping, noise reduction, and detailed edits.
• Level all dialogue for consistency and clarity.

3. Sound Effects Editing:

• Ensure all sound effects are properly edited, organized, and balanced for optimal impact.
• Conduct a detailed sound design pass with a dedicated sound designer to enhance and elevate key moments.

4. Music Prep:

• Checkerboard all music tracks for clean transitions and edits.
• Level the music to ensure consistency across the project.

5. Processing:

• Apply EQ, compression, and additional noise reduction as needed.
• Fine-tune every element to enhance clarity and quality.

6. Mixing:

• Mix every track with precise, hands-on adjustments for a dynamic, emotional result.
• Additional sound design may be layered in if required, with dedicated sound designers working alongside the editing team.

7. A/B Comparison:

• Compare every second of the final mix to the original scratch mix from the editor to ensure every element is objectively improved.

8. Client Review:

• Deliver Version 1 for review, allowing the client to provide feedback at their convenience.
• Incorporate detailed notes and revisions until the final version is approved.

9. Final Delivery:

• Provide the final screener, including all mixes and splits, ready for use across any platform or format.

This comprehensive workflow ensures every project exceeds expectations. To get started, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com.

Most of the time, we work with audio files provided by the editor. This is typically the most cost-effective approach, as a strong, well-crafted mix is the foundation of any great project.

• Dialogue is King: Clean, crisp dialogue is critical. High-quality dialogue recordings on set make everything else—sound design and music—work seamlessly.

• Editor-Initiated Sound Design: We encourage editors to take a pass at sound design if they can. It sets the pacing and tone, giving us a strong foundation to refine, enhance, or rebuild where needed. Just be on guard for demo love, because sometimes it’s easy to think sketch sound design is better than reality 🙂

• Music: In about 95% of cases, music is selected during the editing process. For projects that require music curation, we offer this service and have deep expertise in navigating music licensing libraries.

Our goal is to collaborate seamlessly with editors, enhancing what’s already there and adding precision and polish. For questions or to get started, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

Yes, we offer revisions, and we typically don’t set limits. Most projects are approved within 1–3 revisions, thanks to our expertise in mixing and sound design.

There are exceptions, such as projects with complex sound design, highly nuanced creative visions, or those requiring earlier collaboration. In these cases, additional revisions may be needed.

Unless we’re working within a fixed budget, we focus on delivering the best possible result without restricting revisions.

For more information, reach out to Grace at grace@defactosound.com

We can deliver in virtually any format you need, from stereo to complex multi-speaker setups.

• Common Formats: Most projects are delivered in stereo, but we frequently handle 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos.

• Custom Solutions: For unique installations, like museums, we’ve worked with setups involving 30+ speakers and custom placements, meeting complex delivery specifications.

Whatever your project requires, we’ll make sure it’s delivered perfectly. For questions, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

Absolutely. Tight turnarounds are what we do best.

We understand that our role often comes at the end of a compressed and unpredictable timeline. Many of our household name clients, like Netflix, Max, and major agencies, rely on us for same-day or next-day turnarounds.

Don’t hesitate to reach out—fast deadlines are part of our routine.

Email Grace at grace@defactosound.com to get started.

Yes, and we actually prefer remote collaboration. Over the past 15 years, 99% of our clients have worked with us remotely. Here’s why it works so well:

• Better Decisions: Remote collaboration gives you time to sit with a mix, re-listen, and make thoughtful decisions instead of reacting in the moment. It also allows you to test the project on multiple speaker systems—your phone, computer, home theater, or high-end edit suite—ensuring the mix works everywhere.

• Time Savings: No need to travel or spend hours coordinating schedules—remote work keeps things efficient.

• Global Collaboration: The best editors, producers, and directors are often spread worldwide, and most high-end projects today happen fully remote.

For projects under 30 minutes, we strongly recommend remote collaboration, but we’ve also completed many (most!) feature-length films and documentaries entirely remotely.

How It Works:

• Review: We use Frame.io so you can review and provide feedback on your own schedule.

• Real-Time Collaboration: For live discussions, we use Google Meet/Zoom and offer Source Connect live sessions as needed, particularly for advertising agencies.

To collaborate remotely on your next project, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

We’ve worked at the absolute highest level across all these industries.

Our founder, Dallas Taylor, began his career in network television at NBC, Fox, and Discovery. During that time, he noticed that the most creative, high-pressure projects were often outsourced to external agencies. Driven by a passion to collaborate directly with top creatives, Dallas left his role at Discovery to start Defacto Sound.

Since then, we’ve partnered with the largest networks, streamers, ad agencies, brands, game studios, and trailer houses on their most high-profile projects. When our collaborators move into feature films and documentaries, they often bring us along to work on those as well.

From ads to trailers to branded films and beyond, we operate at the very peak of post-production audio.

Let’s work together! Drop a note to grace@defactosound.com

We approach feedback with collaboration, care, and a focus on your vision.

1. Understanding Your Style: We take the time to get to know you and your preferences. We even maintain a detailed log of the stylistic preferences of the editors and directors we work with, recognizing that everyone has a unique sonic fingerprint.

2. A Strong Start: We pour everything into Version 1. It’s a team effort, often involving multiple people, and it’s designed to excite you about the possibilities. Our goal is to surprise and delight, sparking creative ideas and setting the bar high from the start.

3. Serving Your Vision: Once we’re into revisions, it’s all about bringing your vision to life. This is your project, and we’re here to support your story—not our own reel. We take notes with grace and joy, focusing on your goals and making sure you leave with a final product you’re 100% confident in.

Feedback isn’t just part of the process—it’s what makes the final result truly yours.

Email Grace at grace@defactosound.com to get started.

Absolutely. While our website and Instagram often showcase bold, high-impact projects from major brands to grab attention, that’s just a small part of what we do.

In reality, we work on a wide variety of projects, including story-driven pieces for marketing teams, healthcare companies, YouTubers, and documentarians. We specialize in creating incredible soundscapes and delivering solid mixes, whether the tone is subtle or cinematic.

If you don’t see something that matches your project’s style on our website, don’t worry—we’ve likely done similar work. If you need examples for a pitch deck, agency meeting, or internal presentation, just send us your prior work or a reference. We’ll gladly curate a selection of relevant examples.

Reach out to Grace at grace@defactosound.com to get started.

Yes, we offer several additional services alongside sound editorial, sound design, post-production audio, and mixing:

• Voice Casting: We can assist with finding the perfect voice for your project.

• Music Curation: We specialize in curating music from libraries to suit all kinds of projects, leveraging years of experience with both clients and our podcast, Twenty Thousand Hertz.

• Foley: For short-form projects, we handle Foley work in-house. For long-form projects, we collaborate with trusted foley-focused partners to ensure top-quality results.

• ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement): ADR is typically handled by a studio local to the actor, as it depends heavily on their location.

For more information or specific needs, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

• Sound Effects: All of our sound design is 100% royalty-free. We own every sound we use and have full licensing agreements with major sound libraries. Additionally, all sounds we create are entirely royalty-free. Documentation is available upon request.

• Music: We offer a flat-fee music curation service for those who don’t want to sift through music libraries. With deep knowledge of these libraries, we can quickly find options based on your project’s style and budget.

While we can guide you to the right licensing options, we don’t handle the actual music licensing process. This is best managed by the brand or agency, as usage details can evolve even after the campaign goes live.

For more details or to get started, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

We’ve saved every Pro Tools session and deliverable for every project we’ve worked on over the past 15 years. However, this is for our own internal operations and isn’t something we can guarantee indefinitely. Here’s what you need to know:

• Archiving Limitations: While we currently maintain around 20 terabytes of storage, we may need to purge older projects over time. For projects completed within the past five years, we can almost certainly access the archive, but anything older may not be retrievable.

• Your Responsibility: We strongly recommend saving the mix and splits on your end. This ensures you have everything you need for future revisions or updates.

• Rebuilding Sessions: Even if a Pro Tools session is unavailable, we can rebuild it from the mix and splits, as plugin versions and Pro Tools updates often make older sessions unreliable.

By saving your files, you’ll have everything needed for future updates while we do our best to maintain archives on our end. For more information, reach out to Grace at grace@defactosound.com

We only offer remote voiceover recording as a way to connect all parties in real time. Most professional voice actors today have their own recording setups for convenience.

For traditional actors without access to recording equipment, we recommend working with a local studio near the actor.

We do not provide in-house, physical voiceover recording services. For questions or guidance, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

Considering we work on some of the most high-profile projects on the planet, confidentiality and security are paramount at Defacto Sound.

Confidentiality:

• We’ve always operated under strict NDAs, both internally and externally with every major company we collaborate with.
• All communications and projects remain strictly confidential at all times.

Security:

• Our studios are private and access restricted to the sound designer or mixer assigned to the project.
• Files are stored in encrypted, highly secure locations to protect your project with 2 factor authentication.

For additional details, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

It depends on your project’s needs.

When You Don’t Need Sound Design: Some projects, like those focused on music and dialogue or voiceover, may only require an exceptional mix.

When Sound Design Makes an Impact:

• For projects with outdoor scenes, dynamic movement, or an emphasis on immersing the viewer, sound design can bring the world to life.

• Our goal with sound design is to erase the edges of the screen, pulling the audience into the story by creating rich, immersive soundscapes—whether grounded in reality or a fantasy world.

Even if your editor has done a solid sound design pass, our team can refine it further. With experience on tens of thousands of projects, we ensure your audio feels fresh, modern, and aligned with current trends, avoiding anything that sounds outdated or muddy.

For guidance on your project, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

Virtually every video project needs a proper mix.

Why Mixing Matters:

• It’s easy to tell whether a project has been mixed by an editor or a dedicated professional mixer. Video editing programs lack the tools and precision required to craft sound in a truly meaningful way.
• Mixing is an incredibly skilled craft. It involves understanding frequency responses, how frequencies interact, and how to make audio sound full, clear, and balanced.

The Complexity of Mixing:

• A professional mix ensures that your project avoids sounding muddy, tinny, or unpolished.
• Great mixing elevates the dialogue, music, and sound effects, creating a polished and cohesive result.

Even for simple projects, a professional mix offers the best return on investment. It’s the foundation of any exceptional soundtrack, and we always recommend it.

For more information, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

The best way to share your vision is through your own voice. Hearing your tone, passion, and personality gives us valuable context that’s often lost in text-based communication.

Here’s how you can share your vision:

• Preferred Methods: Use tools like Loom, an audio memo, or a voice text to explain your ideas asynchronously, or hop on a Google Meet, Zoom, or phone call for real-time collaboration.

• Other Options: If it’s a simple request, email works too, but voice communication adds a richness that helps us connect with your creative intent. For much of our review process we use frame.io notes. But don’t ever hesitate to give us a call via phone or video chat!

As the world has become more remote, the impact of the human voice has never been more important. Using your voice helps us align with your vision and ensures we deliver work that resonates.

For more details or to schedule a call, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

Creating a sonic identity is much like crafting a visual identity—it starts with understanding the heart of the brand.

1. Exploratory Phase:

• We dive deep to understand the brand’s mission and core values, beyond just products or services.
• We aim to capture the emotional essence of what the brand represents and its impact on the world.

2. Creative Phase:

• Our sound designers and composers create a range of initial sketches based on the brief and direction.
• Internally, we refine these sketches from hundreds of ideas down to 10–15 and eventually narrow it to 1–3 polished options.
• We present these options to the client, explaining the thought process and decisions behind each.

3. Collaboration and Refinement:

• We collaborate with the client to brainstorm, revise, and fine-tune the chosen direction until it’s perfect.

4. Asset Development:

• Once finalized, we can develop additional assets, such as:

• Mood Pieces: Custom tracks that embody the brand’s sound.
• Variations: Adaptations for different lengths or applications.
• Additional Sound Elements: Expanding the sonic toolkit as needed for various uses.

This thoughtful, collaborative process ensures the sonic identity authentically reflects the brand while being versatile for its needs. For more information, reach out to Grace at grace@defactosound.com

We use industry-standard practices and meticulous workflows to ensure perfect consistency across all assets in a campaign.

Industry-Standard Levels:

• We adhere to broadcast, streaming, and web standards for all mixes.
• Each mix and split includes levels tailored to these platforms, ensuring consistent volume and quality no matter where the assets are used.

Hero Spot Conformance:

• For campaigns with multiple assets, we often keep everything in the same Pro Tools session.
• We conform all cutdowns to match the hero spot, ensuring identical sound design, mix, and balance.
• Each cutdown is then cleaned and refined for seamless edits and flawless transitions.

This process guarantees every asset in your campaign sounds cohesive and professional. For more details, email Grace at grace@defactosound.com

• Primary DAW: Pro Tools for global compatibility.

• Plugins: iZotope, FabFilter, Kilohearts, and a range of specialty plugins.

• Sound Libraries: Full ownership of Boom Library, Pro Sound Effects catalog, numerous other popular libraries, and our own custom library.

• Sound Databasing: Soundminer and Soundly.

• We also use to the latest AI & Machine Learning application.

We’re constantly testing new tools to keep our workflow efficient and cutting-edge.

We’re always excited to connect with talented sound professionals, whether freelance or full-time. Here’s what we’re looking for:

Freelance Opportunities

We’re interested in specialists who excel in specific disciplines. If you’re highly skilled in any of the following, we’d love to hear from you:

• Dialogue Editors: Expertise in documentaries, films, or similar formats.

• Sound Designers & SFX Editors: Strong in areas like high-impact car spots, video game action, or environmental textures.

• Re-Recording Mixers: Deep understanding of frequencies, crafting dense soundscapes, and making music and effects speak clearly.

If this sounds like you, click here to apply for freelance opportunities.

Full-Time Opportunities

For full-time roles, we’re seeking well-rounded sound designers/mixers (of all skill levels) who:

• Exhibit strong leadership.

• Communicate effectively with clients and freelancers.

• Thrive in a team-oriented environment while balancing internal and external collaboration.

If you’re interested in joining our internal team of audio leaders, click here to apply for full-time positions.

We look forward to hearing from you!