Podcast Production

Podcast Production is a major element of the ***MISSION TO ZYXX*** universe. The quality and professionalism of the editing (by Alden Ford, Seth Lind, and in Season 3, Jeremy Bent), sound design (by Shane O'Connell), and music (composed by Brendan Ryan) separate this podcast from the pack of similar shows, elevating it to the realm of the cinematic. Creating the feel of a film in an audio-only format is demanding, and elevates the role of the sound design itself. As Shane O'Connell said in a recent Gizmodo interview, "The overarching idea is that the sound design should function as the most deadpan character in the show. If the world of the show feels real, logical and tactile, the comedy can sometimes land harder."

In The Zyxx Fancast interview with Shane O'Connell, Shane explained the spatial quality of his sound design choices. By designing the show to be heard through headphones rather than ambient speakers, the locations of various characters can switch not only from left to right, but from near to far. Reverb plugins on the sound mixing software help to convey the size of the space the cast occupies at any given moment. To create the voices of droids and ships, Shane uses a series of modified filters to simulate their metallic, diffuse sound. Various characters in the show have their voices routinely raised or lowered in pitch. Winston Noel's Beano and C.L.I.N.T. are examples of this effect.

Listen to a sample mix breakdown from Episode 301: Down With the Emperor!, which highlights sound editing, effects, and foley.

## Theme Music Variations

In Season 3, **MISSION TO ZYXX** hired FAME's Macedonian Symphony Orchestra, a 55-piece orchestra known for their gaming music, to play music for the opening crawl narration and for scene transitions. The contrast between the orchestral music and the comedic story lines hightens the sense of absurdity and humor.

Shane O'Connell also remixes and rearranges the theme music for particular episodes.

* Hard Rock version for Episode 219: Tiny Toots' Adventures
* Beach version for Episode 313: Well Hello, Partner

## Original Music by Shane O'Connell

Shane O'Connell has written a number of orignal songs for Zyxx. These songs' credited in-universe authors span a variety of genres. Song titles include:

* "Dependents Day" by Jordan B'Korkan for Episode 206 (Country)
* "Pump up the Justice" by Coco and the Puppy Pound for Episode 319 (Old School Hip Hop)
* "Brihx by Brihx" and "Sasoo" (a mispelling/mispronounciation of Seesu) by Brihx and Chacha Divine for Episode 408: Brihx or It Didn't Happen, with lyrics by featured guest Oscar Montoya (Pop/EDM)

## Bermut Nundaloy: Bermiful Nelodies

Bermut Nundaloy is a pseudonym for Nermut Bundaloy, his music alter-ego and the name under which he performs. Proposed as a stretch goal on Patreon, by popular demand the Zyxx cast recorded a full-length album of tracks by Bermut Nundaloy. That album, *Bermiful Nelodies*, can be found on the Max Fun Bonus page for members. Shane O'Connell, as a professional music producer, arranged and produced each song, with lyrics improvised by Seth Lind. The album has nine tracks, with track 4, "99 Protocols," featuring a rap by MC-53 (C-53), and track 9, "A Fruitful Discussion," featuring a hidden bonus duet by Pleck Decksetter and Dar.