Production Sound Mixer

Production Sound Mixer Career

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A Production Sound Mixer records all live dialogue and sound effects made during the filming of a movie. The Production Sound Mixer works with a Boom Operator to set up the microphones and capture the sound in a clear and balanced manner.

Your name is a bit confusing, as you record sounds and do not mix them (i.e., electronically combine multiple tracks). This makes the Production Sound Mixer far more similar to the music industry’s Recording Engineer than to its Mix Engineer. But hey, you’re in the movies so call it what you want.

Working on a film set poses some unique problems. Unlike someone in a recording studio you must tape sounds as they change position and move across large spaces. Thus your microphones must follow actors while staying out of camera shot which creates both acoustic and logistical problems. Before recording begins, then, you must design your equipment placement around how the set will be used and lit.

You are considered a department head, so hire the staff and procure the equipment you need. You generally own most of the latter, and bring along your own microphones, mixing desk, headphones etc.

How do I become a Production Sound Mixer?

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While starting as a Utility Sound Technician or Boom Operator can help, many of the best professional sound mixers begin with an associates or bachelor’s degree in recording engineering or film production.