Karthik KK
Audio Engineer
Bengaluru
Summary
With over 15 years of experience in audio production, music production, and educational media, I have built a robust career focused on innovation, quality, and user-centric audio content. As the Assistant Vice President of Audio Production at BYJU'S, I lead teams in the development of immersive audio experiences across products like Disney Early Learn, Tynker, and Epic Motion Comics. My work includes sound design, voice direction, music production, and the integration of audio into UI/UX for educational products. I have produced over 2,000 hours of audio content and am passionate about creating seamless, user-friendly audio experiences that drive engagement and enhance learning.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
4
4
Language
Work History
Assistant Vice President
Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd. (BYJU'S)
7 2013 - Current
- Audio Production & Sound Design: Led audio production for a variety of educational products, including Disney Early Learn, Tynker, and Epic Motion Comics. Directed sound design for both short-form and long-form content, integrating immersive soundscapes, music, and voice acting to enhance storytelling and user experience.
- UI/UX Audio Integration: Worked closely with UI/UX teams to create intuitive and interactive audio feedback mechanisms. Enhanced usability and engagement through sound design for navigation, button clicks, and interactive elements across various learning platforms. Additionally, produced and integrated sound design for BYJU'S Learn Station device, ensuring seamless audio interaction and improved user engagement.
- Music Production: Composed and produced original music for educational products, such as Epic Read-Along and Tynker’s coding programs. Developed music that aligns with educational goals, enhancing the overall learning experience.
- Voice Direction & Character Development: Directed over 150 distinct characters for BYJU'S products, managing voice artists for Disney Early Learn and Epic Motion Comics. Created character voice profiles and guided vocal delivery for optimal narrative impact.
- International Project Management: Managed large-scale, international collaborations, including projects for the US, UK, Australia, and UAE markets. Ensured content met educational and cultural standards across multiple regions.
- AI Integration & Workflow Optimization: Spearheaded the use of AI-driven tools to optimize production workflows, significantly reducing turnaround times and improving content quality.
COO & Co-Founder
The Hertz Audio
08.2022 - Current
- Founded and scaled The Hertz Audio, providing end-to-end audio solutions for feature films, advertisements, and digital media projects.
- Led music production, sound design, and post-production for multimedia educational content, expanding into video services, audio rentals, and professional equipment for production.
- Built a collaborative platform for freelance audio engineers, enabling them to work on diverse projects while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Chief Audio Engineer & Studio Head
Sound Glitz
12.2012 - 05.2013
- Recording & Mixing: Handled recording sessions for a wide variety of projects, including music albums, feature films, short films, audiobooks, and dubbing. Specialized in recording multi-instrument sessions, ensuring high-quality capture of live and studio performances.
- Artist Relations & Event Supervision: Built and maintained strong relationships with artists, offering support during recording, mixing, and post-production. Supervised event management, overseeing sound requirements for live events and broadcasts.
- Pro Audio Expertise: Conducted pro audio demos for clients, contributing to the sales of professional audio equipment. Provided technical support, troubleshooting issues related to studio gear and live sound setups.
- Mixing & Mastering: Mixed and mastered vocal arrangements, music compositions, and optimized tracks for albums. Ensured final audio products met professional standards across multiple formats.
- Equipment Setup & Sound Checks: Set up, calibrated, and tested equipment prior to events and recording sessions, ensuring smooth operations. Conducted sound quality checks and front-of-house mixing to maintain the company’s sound system integrity.
- Studio Operations: Managed the selection and setup of microphones for various recording environments. Led recording sessions, working with voice-over artists, musicians, and sound engineers to achieve the desired sound quality.
Skills
Audio Production & Post Production
Music Production & Sound Design
Team Leadership & Mentorship
Product Design & Curriculum Integration
Project & Workflow Management
UI/UX Audio Integration
International Project Handling
AI-Driven Content Optimization
Multilingual & Regional Language Dubbing
Accomplishments
- Music Production & Sound Design: Composed original soundtracks and produced audio content for BYJU'S products, including Disney Early Learn, Tynker, and Epic Motion Comics. Managed end-to-end sound design, from concept to delivery, ensuring alignment with educational and engagement goals.
- UI/UX Audio Development: Worked closely with the UI/UX design team to create intuitive and interactive audio feedback mechanisms. Enhanced user experience through sound design for navigation, button clicks, and interactive elements across various learning platforms. Additionally, produced and integrated sound design for BYJU'S Learn Station device, ensuring seamless audio interaction and improved user engagement.
- Voice Direction & Character Development: Directed voice performances for over 150 characters, managing their vocal traits, delivery, and tone for both short-form and long-form educational content. Spearheaded dubbing for multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and international languages like Spanish and Portuguese.
- AI Integration & Workflow Optimization: Leveraged AI-driven tools to optimize production workflows, significantly reducing turnaround times while improving content quality.
- International Project Handling: Managed international collaborations and led content production across various global markets, ensuring alignment with cultural and educational standards.
Education & certification
- Protools Expert Certification - Avid India
- Audio Engineering Coursework (2007)
- Class 10 - Chinmaya English Higher Primary School, Mangaluru (2003)
International projects
- Math Product for the US Market, USA, Prof. Edward Burger, Collaborated with Prof. Edward Burger on the development and production of a math product tailored for the US educational market. Provided on-site support and conducted training for educators to ensure the product met educational standards.
- Blippi's Product, USA, Stephen John Grossman (Blippi), Managed and executed audio production for Blippi's educational content series in the USA. Collaborated with Stephen John Grossman (Blippi) to ensure high-quality sound design and mixing, adhering to the specific needs of the production.
- Tynker - Creative Coding Platform, USA & Global, Contributed to the sound design and music production for Tynker's creative coding platform. Produced background music and interactive sound elements that enhance user engagement as students learn coding through gamified experiences.
- Epic Motion Comics & Read-Alongs, USA, Managed sound production and music integration for Epic Motion Comics, developing engaging audio experiences for children's read-alongs, graphic novels, and interactive storytelling platforms.
- Disney Early Learn, Global, Directed audio content and character voices for Disney Early Learn, a global platform that combines Disney characters with educational content for early learners. Managed the integration of sound effects, music, and voice-over for interactive lessons and quizzes.
Getepic.com contributions
- Audio Production & Sound Design for Epic! Kids IP, Developed and implemented sound design for Epic's vast digital reading platform, which includes over 40,000 books and audiobooks for children. Integrated music and sound effects to elevate the educational and storytelling experience.
- Customized Audio for Educational Books, Created original audio content tailored to both fiction and non-fiction titles, enriching the interactive learning experience for young readers.
- Sound Design for Motion Comics & Audiobooks, Directed sound design and post-production for popular children's series like BIG NATE, Garfield, and The Chronicles of Narnia, ensuring that sound elements aligned with narrative themes and learning objectives.
Education & certification
- Protools Expert Certification - Avid India
- Audio Engineering Coursework (2007)
- Class 10 - Chinmaya English Higher Primary School, Mangaluru (2003)
International projects
- Math Product for the US Market, USA, Prof. Edward Burger, Collaborated with Prof. Edward Burger on the development and production of a math product tailored for the US educational market. Provided on-site support and conducted training for educators to ensure the product met educational standards.
- Blippi's Product, USA, Stephen John Grossman (Blippi), Managed and executed audio production for Blippi's educational content series in the USA. Collaborated with Stephen John Grossman (Blippi) to ensure high-quality sound design and mixing, adhering to the specific needs of the production.
- Tynker - Creative Coding Platform, USA & Global, Contributed to the sound design and music production for Tynker's creative coding platform. Produced background music and interactive sound elements that enhance user engagement as students learn coding through gamified experiences.
- Epic Motion Comics & Read-Alongs, USA, Managed sound production and music integration for Epic Motion Comics, developing engaging audio experiences for children's read-alongs, graphic novels, and interactive storytelling platforms.
- Disney Early Learn, Global, Directed audio content and character voices for Disney Early Learn, a global platform that combines Disney characters with educational content for early learners. Managed the integration of sound effects, music, and voice-over for interactive lessons and quizzes.