A production sound mixer, location sound recordist, location sound engineer, or simply sound mixer is the member of a film crew or

television crew Television crew positions are derived from those of film crew, but with several differences. Pre-production : Work before shooting begins is called the pre-production stage. The crew in this stage include the casting director, costume des ...

responsible for recording all

sound recording Sound recording and reproduction is the electrical, mechanical, electronic, or digital inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recordin ...

on set during the

filmmaking Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story, idea, or commission. It then continues through screenwriting, casti ...

television production A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed b ...

using

professional audio Professional audio, abbreviated as pro audio, refers to both an activity and a category of high quality, studio-grade audio equipment. Typically it encompasses sound recording, sound reinforcement system setup and audio mixing, and studio musi ...

equipment, for later inclusion in the finished product, or for reference to be used by the

sound design Sound design is the art and practice of creating sound tracks for a variety of needs. It involves specifying, acquiring or creating auditory elements using audio production techniques and tools. It is employed in a variety of disciplines including ...

er,

sound effect A sound effect (or audio effect) is an artificially created or enhanced sound, or sound process used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media. Traditi ...

s editors, or foley artists (aka foley dancers). This requires choice and deployment of

microphone A microphone, colloquially called a mic or mike (), is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and publi ...

s, choice of recording media, and mixing of

audio signal An audio signal is a representation of sound, typically using either a changing level of electrical voltage for analog signals, or a series of binary numbers for digital signals. Audio signals have frequencies in the audio frequency range of r ...

s in real time. Usually, the recordist will arrive on location with their own

equipment Equipment most commonly refers to a set of tools or other objects commonly used to achieve a particular objective. Different job Work or labor (or labour in British English) is intentional activity people perform to support the needs and ...

, which normally includes

microphones A microphone, colloquially called a mic or mike (), is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and publ ...

, radio systems, booms, mixing desk,

audio storage Sound recording and reproduction is the electrical, mechanical, electronic, or digital inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recordin ...

headphones Headphones are a pair of small loudspeaker drivers worn on or around the head over a user's ears. They are electroacoustic transducers, which convert an electrical signal to a corresponding sound. Headphones let a single user listen to an au ...

, cables, tools, and a paper or computer sound logs. The recordist may be asked to capture a wide variety of wild sound on location, and must also consider the format of the finished product ( mono,

stereo Stereophonic sound, or more commonly stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that recreates a multi-directional, 3-dimensional audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two independent audio channels through a configuration ...

or multi channels). Production sound mixers are tasked with recording audio in many different types of environments. Shoots outside require extra equipment such as microphone screens or wind blockers. Larger productions will often take advantage of a sound stage, or a large prepared environment that has been treated for acoustic control and is attended by an audio staff, directed by the mixer. The production sound mixer may travel to each potential shooting site to scout any potential audio disturbances. This is a critical preparatory step that allows the mixer to begin planning the equipment that will be needed for the shoot. The recorded production soundtrack is later combined with other elements, i.e. effects, music, narration, foley or re-recorded dialog by automated dialogue replacement (ADR). Often, when taping on

video Video is an Electronics, electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving picture, moving image, visual Media (communication), media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, whi ...

, the sound recordist may record (single system) audio directly onto the camera rather than use a separate medium (double system), although a separate copy is often made, as it both provides an extra copy which may have more tracks and also may include other sound captured without the camera. The sound mixer is considered a department head, and is thus completely responsible for all aspects of production sound including the hiring of a boom operator and utility sound technician, planning the technical setup involving sound including both sound equipment and ancillary devices involved in syncing and time offsets, anticipating and discussing sound-related problems with the rest of the crew, and ordering and preparing the sound equipment to be used on the set.

References

* David Yewdall. ''The Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound''. Focal Press, 1999. *Vincent Magnier, ''Le guide de la prise de son pour l'image''. Éditions Dunod/INA, 2007. *John Purcell, ''Dialogue Editing for Motion Pictures: A Guide to the Invisible Art''. Focal Press, 2009. *Jay Rose, '' Producing Great Sound for Film and Video''. Focal Press, fourth edition 201
Book info.
*MasterClass. “What Is a Production Sound Mixer? Understanding the Role of Production Sound Mixer on a Film Set - 2022.” ''MasterClass'', MasterClass, 17 Aug. 2021, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-production-sound-mixer-understanding-the-role-of-production-sound-mixer-on-a-film-set. *Baskerville, D., & Baskerville, T. (1995). ''Music Business Handbook & Career Guide'' (11th ed.). Sage Publications.

References

External links

* Longoria, Sam
Make Your Movie Sound Like A Real Movie
* Martinez, Carlos E

* Rose, Ja
Film/video tutorials written for DV Magazine and others
{{DEFAULTSORT:Production Sound Mixer Filmmaking occupations Television occupations Sound recording Film sound production