Exploring the Magic of Surround Sound with Zylia Microphone in "Hunting for Witches" Podcast

Podcasts are usually associated with two people sitting in a soundproofed room, talking into a microphone. But what if we want to add an extra layer of sound that can tell its own captivating story? That's when a regular podcast becomes a mesmerizing radio play that ignites the imagination and emotions of its listeners.
One such podcast is "Hunting for Witches" (Polish title "Polowanie na Wiedźmy") by Michał Matus, available on Audioteka. It's a documentary audio series that takes us on a journey to explore the magic of our time.

We had the privilege of speaking with the chief reporter, Michał Matus, and Katia Sochaczewska, the audio producer, about the creation of "Hunting for Witches" and the role that surround sound recording played in the production. The ZYLIA ZM-1 microphone was a key tool in capturing the unique sounds that make this podcast truly special.

For the past year, Michal has been traveling throughout Europe, visiting places where magic is practiced, meeting people who have dedicated their lives to studying various forms of magic, and documenting the secret rituals that are performed to change the course of things. The ZYLIA microphone was with him every step of the way, capturing the essence of these magical places.

​“I wanted the story of 'Hunting for Witches' to be as immersive as possible. The Zylia microphone allowed me to record conversations with shamans, witches, and other magical practitioners, along with the entire surrounding sound stage. It was also useful for capturing soundscapes that were later used to enhance the background of the conversations. This is how I recorded the meeting with the Samski Shaman - Noaidi, with whom we ended our walk in the mountains with a conversation at the edge of the forest by the fire near the stream. You can hear it all!” Michał explains.

 “You can hear the sounds of nature during a meeting with the Danish witch Vølve, in her garden, or the summer solstice celebration at the stone circle of Stonehenge, where thousands of pagan followers, druids, and party-goers were drumming, dancing, and singing.”

​"I also used Zylia when I knew a scene was going to be spectacular in terms of sound, with many different sound sources around." Michał recalls. “So, through Zylia, I recorded the summer solstice celebration at the stone circle of Stonehenge, where thousands of followers of pagan beliefs, druids and ordinary party people had fun drumming, dancing and singing. It was similar when visiting Roma witches who allowed their ritual to be recorded. All these places and events have a spatial sound that was worth preserving so that we could later recall them in the sound story.”

"As a technical person responsible for recording recommendations, spatial arrangement and post-production, having a versatile and high-quality microphone like Zylia made all the difference in capturing the intricate soundscapes and magical moments in 'Hunting for Witches'. The spatial audio capabilities allowed us to create an immersive and captivating experience for our listeners, bringing the story to life in a truly unique way." - says Katia.

​The world of podcast recording and production is constantly evolving, and with new tools it is becoming more creative and opens up new techniques for producing engaging, spatial, and immersive content. The "Hunting for Witches" podcast is a testament to this, showcasing the magic of surround sound and the possibilities it brings to the world of audio storytelling.

The first episode of the "Hunting for Witches" ("Polowanie na Wiedzmy") series available for audition and the rest in the Audioteka application.

Short samples are available for our readers. Please wear your headphones for a 3D audio experience:​

• Fire:

• ​Stonehenge:

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