Spent Tuesday in Paulding County, Georgia, running sound for an ABC News investigative unit shoot. Two-camera interview day — clean mix, no drama, and the interview audio was converted and delivered to the producer the next morning. That’s the job: show up, get it right, turn it around fast.

The short answer A production sound mixer is the person on set responsible for capturing clean, broadcast-ready dialogue and sound — recording it, mixing it live, and delivering files that editors can use without repair work. It’s a role most people outside the industry never notice, which is the point: when the sound is right, […]

The short answer Timecode is an electronic timestamp stamped into the header of each audio and video file when recording starts, giving both files the same starting address so they lock in sync. On professional shoots, production sound is recorded separately from picture — timecode is what stitches the two back together, automatically, from set […]

Producers ask me all the time what’s actually in the truck when I show up for a commercial shoot. Here’s the full picture — not a gear list for its own sake, but what each piece does for your day. The core: two wires and a boom The North American standard is “two wires and […]

If you’re producing a commercial or branded content shoot, you’ve probably priced out two options: renting the gear yourself, or hiring a production sound mixer who brings a full package. Here’s the honest breakdown. What the gear actually is Names you’ll see on quotes: Sound Devices and Zaxcom (recorders/mixers), Lectrosonics and Wisycom (wireless lav systems), […]

Hiding microphones is a two part problem: Hiding a microphone is not enough: you have to hide the microphone and cable plus you have to hide the pack as well. Depending on the circumstances this can be pretty easy or can be quite the problem. Then getting everything hidden isn’t enough. It also has to […]

What goes on an Atlanta Sound Mixer Rate Card? Three major things are included: labor, gear and expenses. Sound Mixer’s Labor Rate The sound mixer works on generally for a minimum of hours a day for a standard rate. This prices on an Atlanta Sound Mixer Rate Card are usually a union negotiated 8 hour […]

Capturing audio for ENG, or electronic news gathering, is different than working for other types of television environments because the goal isn’t perfection. When providing ENG audio, we’re not capturing the best isolated tracks to be used at a later date. That later date never happens! We’re mixing the best possible audio for live television […]

Not all YouTubers use the same microphones but there are some favorites you should be familiar with if you want to have a good sounding video. And it better sound great if you want listeners to keep listening. First you should decide what type of videos you’re shooting and know if you’re going to have […]

I’ll share a little secret with you guys. I used to shoot a lot of video for corporations. That’s how I got into this audio thing. I had clients that didn’t want to pay for a second crew member so I had to figure audio out. This is not the best way to work but […]