“Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson” is a 6-part documentary series created by Morgan Neville and hosted by Mark Ronson. Each episode is dedicated to one technology to create sound – Auto-Tune, sampling, reverb, synths, drum machines, and distortion. Every episode concludes with Mark Ronson creating an original piece of music using the techniques discussed. Those tracks were released as part of a digital EP.
The series feature many guests, including Paul McCartney on the first two episodes. Paul McCartney was also involved on one of the tracks created – “I Know Time (Is Calling)“.
The series premiered on Apple TV+ on July 30, 2021.
From Apple TV+ Press, April 13, 2021:
Apple TV+ announces new docuseries “Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson” from Grammy and Academy Award winners Mark Ronson and Morgan Neville
Premiering globally July 30, 2021 on Apple TV+, this new docuseries will explore groundbreaking technology in music with Paul McCartney, Questlove, King Princess, Dave Grohl, Ad-Rock and Mike D from the Beastie Boys, Charli XCX and more
Apple TV+ today announced “Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson,” a new six-part docuseries that will examine sound creation and the revolutionary technology that has shaped music as we know it. Hailing from Academy Award-winning producer Morgan Neville (“20 Feet from Stardom”) and hosted by Mark Ronson, an internationally renowned DJ and Oscar, Golden Globe and seven-time Grammy award-winning artist and producer, “Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson” will make its global debut on Friday, July 30, 2021, exclusively on Apple TV+.
Each episode of “Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson” will follow Ronson as he uncovers the untold stories behind music creation and the lengths producers and creators are willing to go to find the perfect sound. Ronson explores music’s intersection with artistry and technology in candid conversations with music legends and icons including Paul McCartney, Questlove, King Princess, Dave Grohl, Ad-Rock and Mike D from the Beastie Boys, Charli XCX and more, where he discovers the ways in which these unique tools have influenced their work.
At the end of each episode, Ronson will create and unveil a unique piece of original music using groundbreaking technology and techniques including reverb, synth, auto-tune, drum machines, sampling and distortion.
“Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson” is produced by Tremolo Productions with Ronson, Neville, Mark Monroe, Jason Zeldes and Kim Rozenfeld serving as executive producers. […]
| Summary | Featured guest(s) |
| Episode 1 – Auto-tune Mark, T-Pain, and Charli XCX break down Auto-Tune—aka “robot sadness”—the musical accident that evolved into an empowering game changer. | Ezra Koenig, Ariel Rechtshaid, Dr Andy Hildebrand, King Princess, T-Pain, Charli XCX, Paul McCartney, Sean Ono Lennon, Ash Koosha, Ilsey Juber |
| Episode 2 – Sampling The debate rages on—is sampling tribute or theft? One thing’s clear: It better be funky. Mark, Paul McCartney, and DJ Premier dig in. | Paul McCartney, DJ Premier |
| Episode 3 – Reverb Working with Amy Winehouse kicked off Mark’s emotional journey with reverb. Today, he travels around the world to unearth its infinite potential. | N/A |
| Episode 4 – Synthesizers Mark celebrates the innovators and outsiders who harnessed the power of synthesizers and shares Kevin Parker’s (Tame Impala) love for their sound. | Kevin Parker |
| Episode 5 – Drum Machines “GIMME A BEAT!” From the Linn drum to the 808, Mark, Questlove, and Too $hort track the evolution of the machines that gave us hip-hop. | Questlove, Too Short |
| Episode 6 – Distortion Mark and Santigold talk distortion—the rebellious sound of breaking the rules—and explore the pioneers who used it to disrupt culture. | Santigold |
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