BRISTOL, UK ― For more than three decades, Re-recording Mixer Andrew Wilson, AMPS, CAS, has helped bring the natural world to the screen with exceptional audio enjoyed by millions. His work on landmark series such as “Blue Planet” and “Planet Earth” helped define the modern sound of wildlife filmmaking. Today, his passion has evolved toward feature-length documentaries, where the theatrical experience allows audiences to share powerful real-life stories together. Whether mixing in 5.1 for film festivals or preparing streamed versions for global audiences, Wilson’s philosophy is that audio must always serve the story.
To deliver transparent mixes that translate flawlessly — from calibrated theaters to everyday living rooms, Wilson relies heavily on NUGEN Audio plug-ins, which he describes as “a completely safe pair of extra hands.” Among Wilson’s constant companions are the industry-leading VisLM Loudness Meter and ISL Limiter.
With broadcast documentaries demanding subtler dynamics than blockbuster films, “VisLM is in almost every session I run, without fail, because I trust it,” Wilson says. “I believe it to be entirely accurate; I get less grief from quality control when I use VisLM. Its interface supports the creative process, rather than interrupts. I can have it running on a screen off to one side and can quickly see if I’m drifting out of spec. Additionally, ISL is usually there as my safety net. I know that I’m not going to get a spreadsheet full of checks back from QC when I have these plug-ins in place.”
Since many documentaries rely on library music or stereo composer deliveries, Wilson turns to the NUGEN Audio Halo Upmix plug-in to create immersive environments quickly and transparently. “Halo Upmix is my go-to tool to get my music into the surrounds, because very often I don’t get stems—just a single track,” he explains. “The result is instant, faithful expansion. Halo Upmix is just a gift because it’s completely transparent. I upmix into 5.1, sometimes even Atmos, and I can fully trust it.”
That faith gives him freedom to focus on storytelling rather than troubleshooting. “NUGEN has made sure it’s going to work,” he says. “I’m left with a completely transparent tool where I can get on with producing a creative mix without having to worry about ‘is this going to downmix?’ ”
Wilson also recently beta-tested NUGEN’s DialogCheck Speech Intelligibility Meter and found that it confirmed his instincts as an experienced mixer. “I tried the plug-in, and it basically told me everything was good. It reinforces that I’m right about the fact that a mix will translate accurately. Regardless of whether the content is streamed online or shown at a movie theater, you will be able to hear the words. I have a feeling this tool will shine best for ensuring clarity in unpredictable reality-capture environments.”
As an early adopter of NUGEN Audio, Wilson has now acquired nearly the entire catalog of the brand’s solutions. “I think I own every plug-in they make,” he says. “I know I can always trust the NUGEN tools, and that reliability is critical when budgets tighten and fast turnarounds pressure creative teams. NUGEN Audio has a small range of products, done brilliantly.”
Despite his long career, Wilson remains energized by innovation and curious about what NUGEN will dream up next. “Every now and then, someone comes out with a tool that I didn’t know I needed. I’m always eager to see what NUGEN has coming down the line.”