Syn’s Alan Mawdsley deep dives about his journey into sonic branding, DJing and all things music from Tokyo
m25’s founder Chris Thorp caught up with network partners Syn’s Music Director Alan Mawdsley for their deep dive series which highlights key individuals experience and craft behind productions. Originally from the UK, now based in Tokyo for over twelve years, he has created Sonic Identities for BBC Film, Cartoon Network Studios, WOWOW, CNN+ and many more. Syn is an ‘Emmy’ award winning music and sound group with studios in Tokyo, Shanghai, LA and London.
Mawdsley’s journey into sound began in the early ‘90s, DJing at warehouse parties in London. That passion led him to start producing music at home on a simple setup, which eventually opened the door to a role as a studio assistant at Avex’s Soho Square studio. There, Mawdsley had the privilege of learning the art of record-making alongside a talented team, working in a top-tier space equipped with an SSL desk, ProTools, and tape.
“Those years were foundational in shaping my understanding of sound and production,” said Mawdsley.
His next step was Freestyle Games, an Activision-owned studio, where he worked on the DJ Hero series, a spin-off of Guitar Hero.
“It was an incredible experience collaborating with a creative team to design mixes, develop gameplay, and oversee audio production. Afterward, I made the move to Tokyo about 12 years ago and joined Syn, which has since allowed me to broaden my skills and work on a diverse range of projects.”
One area he has developed a deep passion for is sonic branding – crafting the identity of a brand through sound.
“For example, while creating the sonic ID for BBC Films, I drew inspiration from the Radiophonic Workshop’s iconic style, which I’ve admired since childhood. For the Atlanta Journal Constitution, we incorporated the sound of vintage typewriters, recording them in a museum as a nod to their history. These projects require aligning the sound with the brand’s essence, often using visuals as a guide to shape the timing, mood, and flow,” said Mawdsley.
VIEW SOME OF MAWDSLEY’S WORK HERE
“One project that stands out for its complexity was the music we created for Tatcha’s Indigo calming ritual. We wanted to incorporate the essence of indigo plants from Shikoku, Japan, using a device called Plantwave to capture their electrical impulses and translate them into music. Recording these plants required careful setup in the middle of a field, attaching sensors to their delicate leaves. The resulting sounds were crafted into a composition tested in a neuroscience lab, proving to reduce stress and enhance relaxation. It was a deeply rewarding and innovative project.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve has been inspired by so many talented people and now at Syn I’ve been lucky enough to work with an incredible international crew under the leadership of the extremely talented Nick Wood making a truly inspiring environment.”
As for the future, Mawdsley is excited about the potential of AI in sound and music production and he looks forward to tools that can reshape audio creation, much like how AI has revolutionized visual content.
“Whether it’s expanding soundscapes seamlessly or advancing beyond traditional sampling technology, AI holds immense promise for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in music and sound design,” said Mawdsley.
