Danielle has extensive knowledge of synthesis technology, microphones, mixers, analog and digital recording, effects processors, sound and audio cards, radio broadcast processors, and webcasting.
E-textbook Design & Publication, Turning On Music
November 2013-Present. Oakland, California.
Product Designer, Editor, Publisher for an Online E-textbook. The e-textbook allows university level students to learn about Sound Design and Contemporary Music by accessing an interactive online book that contains hundreds of sound files, and also allows students to turn in weekly assignments online. The prototype e-textbook was initially used in Spring 2014 by a class at a top world-class university with over 300 students enrolled. A second version of the e-textbook was used for the summer 2014 session at the university. A third addition is presently being used for Spring semester 2015.
Sound Designer
ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD film by Werner Herzog and nominated for an ACADEMY AWARD for best documentary (Discovery Films). Created original cello music and worked with Film Producer, Henry Kaiser, and musical artist David Lindley, to create music cues used in the movie.
Encounters At The End Of The World credits
Encounters At The End Of The World trailer
GRIZZLY MAN film by Werner Herzog and WINNER OF BEST DOCUMENTARY from the Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Toronto Film Critics Associations (Lions Gate). Created original cello music and worked with other musical artists, including guitarist Richard Thompson, to produce the music cues used throughout the film.
IN THE EDGES: THE GRIZZLY MAN SESSION film (Lions Gate). Participated as a cast member & music contributor throughout this film which documents the creation of the music soundtrack for the GRIZZLY MAN movie. Richard Thompson and Danielle DeGruttola Duo from In The Edges: The Grizzly Man Sessions
THE GRIZZLY MAN DIARIES television series on Animal Planet (Discovery). Created original cello parts to compliment guitarist Richard Thompson’s guitar parts & worked with Music Producer, Henry Kaiser, to create cello cues used throughout the TV series. Animal Planet Grizzly Man Diaries television series
THE ALICES (WALKING): Contributed to the sound design for “The Alices (Walking), A Sculptural Opera and Fashion Show”: an art and music piece by artist Claudia Hart and composer Edmund Campion. The piece was presented at the Eyebeam Art + Technology Center (www.eyebeam.org) in NYC on March 8th, 2014. The Alices (Walking) at the Eyebeam NYC
Product Designer & QA Manager, Orban
World-Class Professional Broadcast Technology
July 1996-November 2013, San Leandro, California
Danielle DeGruttola worked as a Product Designer & as a Quality Assurance Manager in the Engineering Department at Orban, Inc. from 1996-November 2013. Orban makes high-end audio processors & PCI sound cards for digital audio broadcasting (DAB), internet web/netcasting, and recording applications.
Danielle contributed to the full lifecycle design, and user environment development and implementation for 26 products at Orban including the following products:
- Optimod-FM 8600S-FM Digital Processor
- Optimod-FM 8600HD Digital Processor
- Optimod-FM 8600FM Digital Processor – NAB Cool Stuff Award winner & Radio Ink’s Innovation Award
- Optimod 8685 Surround Sound/Stereo Television Processor
- Optimod 6585 Surround Sound/Stereo Television Processor
- Optimod-PC 1101/1101e Audio Processing Card for Broadcasters/Netcasters
- Optimod 6300 Multipurpose Stereo Digital Audio & Digital Media Processor
- Optimod 5518 Stereo Encoder
- Optimod 5500 Audio Processor & Stand Alone Stereo Encoder
- Optimod-FM 8500 Processor – NAB Cool Stuff Award
- Optimod-TV 8382 Processor
- Optimod-FM 8300 Processor
- Optimod-FM 5300 Processor
- Optimod-FM 2300 Processor
- Optimod-PC 1100 PCI Sound Card – NAB 2001 Cool Stuff Award winner
- Optimod-FM 8400 Processor – NAB 2000 Cool Stuff Award winner
- Optimod-AM 9200, 9300, and 9400 analog AM & Digital Radio Processor
Danielle’s other responsibilities at Orban have included:
- Drafting, implementing and supporting project test plans, test scripts, and change control documents based on software development cycle steps.
- Writing and illustrating product functionality and GUI design specifications.
- Working with Marketing and Production to clarify product requirements, and Engineering to ensure requirements were being met.
- Maintaining task schedules for Engineers.
- Organizing Engineering meetings.
- Informing Executives of development issues on a weekly basis.
- Managing source change control procedures using Visual SourceSafe.
- Modifying C/C++ source code to fine tune user interface.
- Writing drafts for sections of the Customer Manuals for Optimod-8400 & 8300 FM Processors, and Optimod-PC 1100 Sound Card.
- Researching competitors’ product specifications.
- Managing Test Department personnel.
- Managing & maintaining bug tracking software
- Testing of audio processing equipment and software
- Making sure products are compatible with 3rd party products, most specifically with Recording & Streaming software
Center of Contemporary Music, Mills College CCM
Oakland, California
While studying electronic music and recording media in Graduate School, Danielle worked as a Sound Technician at the Center of Contemporary Music in 1995 & 1996. Her responsibilities included:
- Technical support for concerts and in the electronic music labs
- Recording studio assistance
- Electronic music labs’ computers and audio equipment maintenance.
- Educating students in electronic music production and recording techniques.