What does a Production Sound Mixer do?
Although we tend to associate film and television with the visual, sound is every bit as important to the stories told in these media. Leading the process of capturing audio on set and location is the production sound mixer, an audio engineer who oversees the production audio crew, mixes and balances the audio as it is recorded, and works to identify and solve the many problems that arise in this field: background noise, echo, distortion, and flubbed lines, to name a few. Every scene is different and requires a unique approach for recording clean and high-quality audio.
At a Glance
This is the most senior position on any production sound team. A background in audio engineering and recording is essential to getting started in the field, as is knowing one's way around a shoot. Successful sound mixers might forge a unique style, and are certain to work on higher profile projects with larger sound budgets.
The majority of production sound mixers are freelancers who find work based on past collaborations, networking, and word-of-mouth. However, a small number are employed by Hollywood production audio houses.
Audio recording and hardware
Audio production
Electrics
Acoustics
Creative problem-solving
Collaboration
Communication
Physical fitness
Production sound mixers must be calm and communicative—capable of providing clear and professional direction to talent and crew while fully incorporating instructions from the director in the midst a stressful, expensive, and time-sensitive shoot. Creativity and resourcefulness are also important qualities; the sound mixer is solely responsible for leading the team through any technical errors and sound problems that may arise.
Most production sound mixers are freelancers who may be hired for jobs directly or through a production sound company. They are usually asked to assemble their own team and bring their own equipment to the gig, and may be paid on a per-day or per-project basis, depending on the contract.
