This post originally appeared on Sonoport Tech Blog.
Founded by veteran sound designer and composer Peter Smith, 3Maze has been around providing the sound world with high fidelity sounds since 2014. With clients ranging from Discovery Science Channel, TLC, PBS, History Channel to A+E, Peter has written over 3000 musical compositions, designed and recorded sounds for various clients worldwide. He has also worked with various kind of mediums from film, TV, commercials to installations.
Apart from that, Peter and 3maze are also proud sponsors of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association and The Collaborator Party.
Hey Peter! Thanks again for doing this! You’ve been in this industry for a long time now, could you tell us one of the most memorable moments in your career?
Peter Smith: One of the most memorable moments I can remember happened in 2015 when I was asked to sponsor The Collaborator Party to raise awareness of the value of sound design in the theatre community, and to bring attention to the fact that the TONY awards have removed this category from their awards. Because of my involvement with this cause, I got to make contact with some really nice people who have a totally different approach to sound design and music.
Another memorable moment was trying to record street ambiences in Vietnam and having every single motorcycle rider beep their horns into my microphone!
“After receiving a tape recorder from my grandfather when I was around 4 years old, I quickly realised that I loved capturing sounds.”
What led you to pursue a career in music composition and sound design?
PS: After receiving a tape recorder from my grandfather when I was around 4 years old, I quickly realised that I loved capturing sounds. It became a career when I started writing and recording music to release on cassette tapes. In the 90’s, some filmmaker friends asked me if I could write music for their student films, which led to them eventually asking me if I could also record sound effects and edit dialogue. I’ve always been obsessed and hugely affected by film and music, so it naturally took over my life.
Could you tell us which sound collection in 3Maze is your favourite and why?
PS: I really like my Urban Environments collection, because I enjoyed the whole recording process and it woke me up to the fact that interesting sounds are everywhere – we just need to listen.
“My parents listened to everything from Frank Zappa to Motörhead during the week, and at the weekends I was exposed to Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery while staying with my grandparents.”
For all the years you’ve done music and sound design for different types of media, for which medium do you think both of them intertwine at the highest level?
PS: Most of my experience has been with film and TV – so for me, these mediums that tell a story and create a world full of characters and atmospheres. I find the blend of vision with sound very magical. As a person who creates music and sound effects, I believe that each element should become part of the whole experience when it reaches the screen, rather than thinking of them as separate entities.
Your discography is amazing! From orchestral jazz to ambient soundscapes. Who would you say is your main musical inspiration?
PS: Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words! My musical inspiration comes mainly from my childhood. My parents listened to everything from Frank Zappa to Motörhead during the week, and at the weekends I was exposed to Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery while staying with my grandparents. My family were also obsessive film viewers, so I became aware of the emotional power of sound and image on the screen at a very early age.
At the moment which sound or loops collection is the most downloaded among users?
PS: Doors, Locks and Drawers. With the ROOMS collection close behind.
https://soundcloud.com/smithcomposition/doors-locks-and-drawers-sound-collection
Last but not least, what’s your favourite sound?
PS: From the collections that I’ve released, it would be the sound of the Cadillac V8 revving. I will always remember recording the aggressive roar of the engine, coming from a pink car with a lady driver – also dressed in pink. I also love the sound of my Gibson Les Paul.
Thank you so much for this!