Since discovering NUGEN Audio, Brooklyn-based Mixing and Mastering Engineer Nick “Squids” Squillante, who today specializes in Dolby Atmos and surround mixing, finds himself turning to the brand’s Halo Upmix plug-in for almost all projects that come his way. From mixing singles and live performances in Atmos for bands and artists like Mötley Crüe, The HU and Sam DeRosa, to incorporating the plug-in as part of his teachings and professional discussions, Halo Upmix has become an essential component of his workflow.
“When I initially came across Halo Upmix, I was immediately blown away, but over this past year, I’ve become so much more familiar with the plug-in and all it has to offer,” says Squillante. “After getting comfortable with all the parameters, figuring out exactly how it works and all of its little tricks, Halo Upmix has become an absolute staple for me.”
Squillante recently incorporated Halo Upmix in an Atmos mix for Mötley Crüe’s lead single, “Dogs of War.” As the sole Atmos mixer on the song, he explains how working from stereo tracks can sometimes lead to difficulties. “You don’t always have the option of doing exactly what you want in instances like this; it all depends on the stereo mix and how the stereo mixer printed the stems,” he explains. “Oftentimes you receive grouped stems ― for example, the guitars may all come in one and keys in another, but you never want to waste the Atmos space. That’s where NUGEN’s Halo Upmix comes in, it provides full control and allows for expansion.”
