Penrose Audio’s Sound Design Process — Step by Step

Okay—lots of creatives ask us at Penrose Audio how we approach a project. Here’s our sound design playbook in plain language. We keep it friendly, collaborative, and fast: listen hard, prototype early, iterate with purpose, and deliver without surprises.

Whether you’re a director with a spark, an agency on a deadline, or a brand building a world, this is exactly how Penrose Audio works—step by step. (Fun fact: our founder and creative director, Davies Aguirre, is usually the one shepherding the vibe from day one.)

1) Discover & Listen (Sound Design Discovery)

Objective: Understand the story, emotion, and constraints before we touch a fader.
What we do

• Meet with you and your production team to hear goals, audience, references, and the feelings the sound design needs to create.
• Capture practicals: timeline, usage, formats, venue, loudness targets, spatial needs.‍

What you get

• A concise creative brief from Penrose Audio summarizing narrative beats, technical specs, and success criteria for the sound.

2) Clarify & Align (Project Setup for Sound Design)

Objective: Remove ambiguity so momentum stays high.
What we do

• Ask pointed questions; identify unknowns early (rights, deliverables, approvals).
• Map the review cadence and name decision-makers.‍

What you get

• An alignment document and schedule; everyone knows what “done” sounds like.

3) Concept & Sonic Palette (Designing the Sound World)

Objective: Define the identity before production.
What we do

• Choose timbres, motifs, and textures—the “color palette” of the score and sound design.
• Decide the hybrid approach: live instruments, vintage synths, analog processing, and in-the-box tools.‍

What you get

• A short concept write-up and a palette sheet (keywords, instrument list, mood tags).
  (This is where Davies often pushes for that extra bit of character—think tasteful grit, bold motifs, and emotional clarity.)

4) Prototype (1–3 Demos) — Hear the Direction Early

Objective: Let you hear clear options fast.
What we do

• Compose short sketches against key moments; test different emotional arcs and sound design motifs.
• Share A/B/C options with notes on intent and how each scales.‍

What you get

• Demo files for quick comparison. You choose a direction; Penrose Audio folds in feedback.

5) Iteration Loop (Refining the Sound Design)

Objective: Converge quickly with purposeful revisions.
What we do

• Consolidate feedback; adjust arrangement, tempo, tone, and design choices.
• If a new idea appears, spin a micro-demo—promote it only if approved.‍

What you get

• An updated demo that feels “inevitable,” ready for full build.

6) Production (Building the Score & Soundscape)

Objective: Craft the full piece with character and depth.
What we do

• Record live parts (guitars, synths, percussion, voices).
• Shape tone through analog outboard for warmth/texture; complement with precise digital sound design.
• For film/installs, block spatial moves early so the sound design reads in 3D.‍

What you get

• Full compositions, design elements, and organized session files from Penrose Audio.

7) Mix (Stereo / Spatial) — Translating Emotion

Objective: Make the sound design translate across devices and rooms.
What we do

• Balance, EQ, dynamics, and spatial placement; manage headroom and imaging.
• Mix in calibrated rooms; create alternates and stems for editorial flexibility.
• When needed, deliver Dolby Atmos/spatial masters and binaural fold-downs.‍

What you get

• Mix candidates (stereo and/or spatial), stems, and alternates (cutdowns, instrumental, clean).

8) Review & QC (Quality Control for Sound Design)

Objective: Zero surprises at delivery.
What we do

• Technical checks: loudness, true peak, phase, metadata, file naming.
• Spot-check against picture/venue specs and platform requirements.‍

What you get

• A QC report and final approval checklist.

9) Delivery (Masters, Stems, Alternates)

Objective: Clean, production-ready handoff.
What we do

• Package masters, stems, alternates, and session archives.
• Format for broadcast, web, app, or installation; include delivery notes and version log.‍

What you get

• Final master(s) + organized asset bundle ready for immediate use.

10) Post-Launch Support (Keeping the Sound Design Sharp)

Objective: Keep everything sounding right in the wild.
What we do

• Minor trims, recuts, and venue-specific tweaks.
• Maintain archives so future updates are fast and consistent.‍

What you get

• Rapid turnarounds for updates without reinvention—courtesy of Penrose Audio.

In short:‍

listen → align → design the palette → prototype → iterate → produce → mix → QC → deliver → support.

That’s the Penrose Audio sound design process—guided by taste, craft, and a little analog love from Davies Aguirre.