Kaiki Chan’s journey into audio engineering is as inspiring as it’s illustrative of the intersection between technical mastery and inventive ardour. On this interview, Kaiki discusses their path from youthful curiosity concerning the leisure world to an achieved profession that features mixing standout tracks like Summer season Cologne and restoring the audio of basic movies at Audio Mechanics. The interview touches on the challenges of balancing creativity with shopper expectations, the rewards of collaboration, and the evolving panorama of sound engineering. Kaiki’s insights provide a window into the artistry and precision that outline their work in shaping unforgettable audio experiences.
-
Kaiki Chan, it’s a pleasure to attach with you and focus on your adorned profession as an audio engineer. Earlier than we get caught into your accomplishments, can you’re taking us again to the primary second you realized audio engineering is perhaps greater than a passion and will turn into a lifelong pursuit?
From a younger age, I used to be all the time drawn to the world of leisure whether or not it was movie, music, or tv. What actually fascinated me was the behind-the-scenes course of: how all of those parts come collectively to create one thing that resonates with the viewers. As I grew older, I grew to become more and more considering sound and the way it shapes our notion of media. It was in my teenage years, after I first began experimenting with recording gear, that I spotted this was greater than only a passion. I started to see audio engineering as a path that would mix my technical curiosity with my artistic pursuits, and from that time, I knew I wished to pursue it as a profession.
-
How did your early influences lead you towards refining your technical abilities and understanding the artistry concerned in shaping sound?
All through my educational years, I used to be lucky to be surrounded by extremely inspiring friends and professors who broadened my perspective. Though I initially felt that sound engineering was a distinct segment, I shortly found simply how expansive the sector actually was. Whether or not it was by way of studying about acoustics, mixing, or the artistic potentialities of sound design, I spotted that audio engineering is each a technical craft and a creative expression. The extra I realized, the extra I acknowledged how sound can affect emotion, narrative, and total expertise, which finally refined each my technical skills and my inventive sensibilities.
-
Alongside the best way, have you ever needed to overcome any challenges which finally gave you extra confidence as an engineer?
One of the difficult facets of being an audio engineer is the fixed balancing act between creativity and shopper expectations. Over time, I’ve realized that the moments that really increase my confidence are after I’m capable of meet these expectations whereas nonetheless sustaining a excessive degree of creativity. Whether or not it’s delivering a sound combine that elevates a mission or receiving constructive suggestions from purchasers who’re thrilled with the ultimate product, these moments function reminders of why I’m doing this work and inspire me to proceed pushing myself.
-
Might you share some insights into what drew you in direction of working as a mixing engineer on the observe “Summer season Cologne” and what made that collaboration such a standout second in your profession?
“Summer season Cologne” was one of many first main tasks I labored on as an audio engineer, and it stands out for just a few causes. One key issue was the collaboration itself. The artist was extremely open to new concepts, and the artistic freedom allowed me to experiment and actually discover the suitable sound. Moreover, the mission got here collectively remotely as a result of pandemic, which was a brand new expertise for a lot of professionals on the time. The challenges of working just about helped me notice the potential for distant collaboration and taught me tips on how to adapt shortly to new applied sciences and workflows, which has been invaluable in my profession.
-
What was probably the most rewarding facet of restoring the audio of outdated movies at Audio Mechanics?
Restoring outdated movie audio is an extremely rewarding expertise for me, primarily as a result of it appears like I’m giving new life to items of historical past. Many of those movies had soundtracks or audio parts that had deteriorated over time, and the chance to protect them for future generations felt significant on a a lot bigger scale. There’s one thing deeply gratifying about figuring out that my work will permit folks to expertise these movies of their most genuine kind, and that I’m contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage in a method that may be appreciated by audiences for years to return.
-
How do you navigate the stress of deadlines and excessive expectations whereas nonetheless permitting creativity to movement naturally?
Managing deadlines and excessive expectations is unquestionably a part of the job, however I’ve discovered that the hot button is stability. Time administration is essential, however it’s additionally necessary to let the artistic course of take its course. Once I’m actually within the zone, it appears like nothing else issues. Starvation, sleep, even time itself turn into secondary to the movement of concepts. It’s after I’m capable of focus totally on the duty at hand that I can create my greatest work. And, as for prime expectations, I’ve realized to embrace them as a supply of motivation fairly than stress. They push me to attempt for excellence, and so they typically result in a few of my most fulfilling work.
-
What do you hope to realize in your profession that can depart a significant imprint on the business?
My objective is easy: I wish to proceed contributing to the world of sound in a significant method. Leisure, in all its kinds, performs an important function in shaping how we perceive the world, join with one another, and expertise life. Whereas it will not be life-or-death work, the emotional affect of nice sound design or engineering is plain. I’m proud to be part of that course of, and my aspiration is to maintain engaged on tasks that resonate with folks, spark feelings, and depart an enduring affect, whether or not it’s by way of a movie, an album, or some other medium.
-
What would you say to encourage others to comply with their very own engineering paths?
The journey in audio engineering is certainly one of fixed studying, and that’s one thing I’m nonetheless experiencing day-after-day. One of the necessary issues I’ve realized alongside the best way is the worth of mentorship. Having somebody who can information you, provide recommendation, and problem you to develop is invaluable. However simply as necessary is believing in your self. It is a discipline that requires dedication, endurance, and a ardour for studying, and it’s essential to remain dedicated even when the highway will get robust. My recommendation could be to embrace the educational course of, hunt down mentors, and above all, belief in your personal potential to contribute one thing distinctive to the sector.
–
Join with Kaiki Chan on Instagram & try their work on Spotify.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast
