Composer Behind New LOTR Anime Calls Audient ORIA “Absolutely Stunning”
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Composer and music editor Stephen Gallagher found his perfect match in the Audient ORIA just in time for a huge project: scoring The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. The anime feature dropped on streaming services recently, and Gallagher’s immersive audio work was a big part of its emotional punch.
At a Glance
- Stephen Gallagher used the Audient ORIA to score the LOTR anime from start to finish
- The ORIA simplified his immersive audio setup and improved his workflow
- He describes the unit as “sleek, elegant, efficient & economic”
Before this project, he hadn’t used much Audient gear. That changed quickly. “Audient has had such a great reputation for many years,” Stephen says. “I didn’t end up getting my first Audient product until I was composing the score… Our music editor, Alana Janssen, purchased an EVO 16 for her rig. I was so knocked out by it that I went out and got one for my home setup.”
From that EVO 16 experience, Gallagher took a closer look at the Audient ORIA. After reading the early reviews, he picked one up. And according to him, it delivered.
Why ORIA Made All the Difference
Gallagher had dabbled in spatial audio before, but setup complexity was always a barrier. ORIA changed that. “Shockingly (and welcomingly!) straightforward,” he says of the installation process.
“The ORIA helps to streamline so much of the workflow. It is very efficient. Very slick.” With its integrated Sonarworks software and monitoring app, jumping between immersive and stereo modes felt easy. The room and speaker calibration? Also much simpler than what he’d experienced with other gear.
Stephen’s setup in Wellington isn’t overly complicated: computers, a few synths, guitars, a teapot, his cat Cleo, and of course the EVO 16 and ORIA. But it’s a powerhouse of creativity—and ORIA fits right in.
Bringing ORIA Into Every Step of the Process
Stephen recently wrapped Secrets At Red Rocks, a TV show co-scored with composer David Long. It was the first full project where ORIA handled everything from composition to mix. “I compose in Pro Tools and the unit seamlessly integrates with this software,” he shares. “I tracked all my parts and vocals through the ORIA’s lovely mic pres, I mixed my cues using the ORIA as the monitor controller.”
He’s confident about the unit’s long-term role in his studio. “I love the ORIA: sleek, elegant, efficient & economic. The thought, design and execution that has gone into this machine is absolutely stunning.”
Follow Stephen Gallagher’s work on Instagram, Spotify, and Bandcamp—or check out his official website.
Find out more about Stephen by visiting his website or following him on Instagram, Spotify and Bandcamp.
