THE RESONANCE OF DESIRE: A SONIC EXPLORATION AND GUIDE TO RECREATING DISNEY’S SIGNATURE ‘I WANT’ SONGS

<p>This thesis explores the sonic architecture of Disney’s Renaissance-era “I Want” songs and develops a framework for recreating their signature production style. This study analyzes how vocal timbre, microphone choices, layering, stereo placement, and mixing strategies contribute to the immersive qualities that define the Disney sound. Drawing from historical accounts, interviews with industry professionals, and technical literature, the thesis documents production practices unexamined in scholarly work. Inspired by David Gibson’s <em>The Art of Mixing</em>, my analyses prioritize spatial and textural qualities in Disney mixes, highlighting how sound design shapes narrative impact. The study culminates in two original compositions modeled after the Disney style, demonstrating the framework in practice. By bridging scholarship and applied recording, this thesis preserves and extends the techniques of a culturally significant musical era, offering a practical guide for future audio engineers and producers.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Music

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

School of Music

Year dc:date.available

2025

Author dc:creator

• Riley, Aiyanna E

Contributors dc:contributor

• James Adams
• Jenna Sehmann
• Benjamin Morris

• Audio engineering
• Music
• Disney
• Mixing
• Audio Production
• vocals
• Audio Arts and Acoustics
• Composition
• Musicology
• Music Performance
• Music Theory
• Other Engineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/644

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1704