Biography
Hailing from the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range, South African Sound Designer / systems tech, Fried Wilsenach has been in the pro-audio industry since 2005. He is a former managing member at Sumo Sound recording studio CC, Head of Dept - Audio at Theatre Technical company Gearhouse Splitbeam Pty Ltd and currently trading as The Working Dog Pty Ltd
He has worked with musicians and bands as Mix Engineer that include Gregory Porter, Sampa the Great, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Marcus Miller, Gerald Veasley, Monty Alexander, The O'Jays, Andreas Vollenweider, Oliver -Tuku- Mtukudzi, Angelique KidjoJohnny Clegg, Hugh Masekela, Carlo Mombelli, Kyle Shepherd Trio, Concord Nkabinde, Marcus Wyatt's Language 12, Prime Cirlce, Just Jinger, Dan Patlansky, Simpiwe Dana, Judith Sephuma, Joyous Celebration, Chris Chameleon, Charl du Plessis Trio and Bombshelter Beast and The Kongos.
On International productions working primarily as Systems Engineer for the Gearhouse Group of Companies with touring productions such as: George Benson, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, John Fogerty, Yusuf Cat Stevens, Boys ii Men, Bryan Adams, Ronan Keating, Chris Daughtry, 30 Seconds to Mars, Justin Bieber and most recently Brian McKnight.
Debut sound design for Africa Umoja at The Victory theatre in August 2008.
More recent soudn designs include
Peppa Pig - Peppa's Perfect Day - 2023 for EFX International
Here's to you - a Simon & Garfunkel songbook - 2020 for VR Theatrical
Rock of Ages - 2018 for Gearhouse Splitbeam
Avenue Q - 2018 - for VR Theatrical
Siva - 2015 for Vuyani Dance Company
Exit Exist - 2013 for Vuyani Dance Company
Full Moon - 2012 for Vuyani Dance Company
Africa Umoja : Nelson Mandela USA Tour 2014/2015 Technical Production Manager.
The Little Prince, Animal Farm, The Witches for Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy
Swan Lake, Don Q, Giselle - St Petersburg Ballet - 2017 for Gearhouse Splitbeam
Other theatre production credits include
The Head and The Load 2023 - HOD Audio for Gearhouse Splitbeam
African Pulse - Ndlovu Youth Choir - 2021 - HOD Audio for Gearhouse Splitbeam
Ons vir Jou - 2009 Packed House Productions as A1 sound operator.
Studio albums include:
"Turn the Tide" - Peter Auret Trio - Mix Engineer
"20 Stones" - Dan Patlansky - Assistant Recording Engineer
"Below the Flood line" - Joe Penn - Recording Engineer
"Flight of Fancy" - David Cousins - Recording Engineer
"I press my spine to the Ground" - Carlo Mombelli - Recording Engineer
"Dance of the Chicken" - Bombshelter Beast - Recording & Mix Engineer
"Mahler Symphony 5" performed by the SA National Youth Orchestra - Recording & Mix Engineer
Industry
You're only as good as your last show
Having worked in various sectors of the market, Fried has extensive experience in the technical production industry. After obtaining a post graduate national diploma in Entertainment Technology from the Tshwane University of Technology in 2005, Fried joined prominent rental company MGG Productions as audio technician. In 2008 he got offered a position as chief audio technician and technical production manager at the Victory Theatre in Joburg, doing sound design and operating for musicals The Rocky Horror show and Africa Umoja.
In 2009 he entered the freelance market and in 2010 joined leading technical supplier
Gearhouse South Africa in the audio department as a regular freelance sound engineer.
In recent years he has traveled to many countries across the African continent as well as abroad to North-and-South America and the far East to install temporary systems and operate on large scale productions varying in nature. This has enabled a valuable skill-set of anticipating where things could easily go wrong, thinking on his feet - often in high pressure situations - and solving problems through effective decision making. Although he is considered an expert audio professional, his training and experience allow him to have a broad understanding of the events industry in general; including structures, rigging, power, signal flow & distribution and IP based network systems.
Philosophy
The most important thing is
to keep the most important thing
the most important thing
The Working Dog Audio is committed to
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Provide a cost effective competitive solution to any technical audio requirement
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Supply project specific equipment and experienced personnel with integrity
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Add value to your production by listening to your specific needs, constantly striving to improve the level of operations and execution to meet an international standard
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Deliver sound quality that will exceed our customers expectations
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Staying current by always keeping one ear close to ground, while sniffing for the latest development in audio technology and technique
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Practice good business ethics
