The term production sound mixer can be used to refer
to the sound mixing equipment or the sound person
for video, film or television productions.
As
the camera crew member, I provide reliable location
production sound mixer services using various reputable
microphones, booms, tram microphones, lavaliers +
the support & infrastructure. Among other sources
into a ENG or EFP mixer and often recording in the
tandem of camera & or digital audio recorder.
Mostly I use Sound Devices, PSC and Tascam audio devices
for mixing hardware with preferences based on the
type of shoot needed - all being unique.
History
- The sound mixer or audio mixer by the original
definition was a console type mixer (AKA a mixing
board) or portable mixer often a mixer & recorder
in the early days of production location sound. Film
production introduced the Nagra for recording, Later
cassette and DAT (a digital audio cassette was used
in film production). Some early film stocks / cameras
had a sound recording called mag stripe / magnetic
stripe recording. The slate was used and still is
used in modern day film recording where the clap noise
was used as the reference point to sync the audio
recorded to a separate medium, than the film. Sound
has been recorded via video into the videotape in
early sound recording evolution and later to digital
video, as well separated by external recording mechanism.
The sound for remote or location production is often
mixed by a ENG or EFP mixer which is a smaller more
portable mixer able to move.
FAQ
on Large Scale Film or HD video Production Sound Mixing
-
Often a mixing board (like a console mixer) is used
on a sound cart for film production where a large
group of receivers, antennas and and audio sources
from a boom or boom operators are recorded.
Simple
Sound Rules GO A LONG WAY TO POST - Each
track or channel is a individual subject, such as
a actors, ambient or sound effect etc. When mixing
sound, it's better to assign / separate each track
or channel to it's own recording or channel so the
editing, sweetening etc can be done by the editor.
A good sound recording can be ruined by mixing sources
or subjects together and will make any offender permanently
unpopular. Sometime there is no choice for the sound
recordist to take what's available mixed together
- for instances mult boxes/press boxes (multiple output
audio interface), house sound feeds or other available
audio mixing devices are used to send audio to the
camera. Panel discussions, audio visual events, conferences,
public building among other places allowing news camera
crews often have these resources and the sound mixer
(the person) needs to use the resources without intrusion
- no problem.
What
Mixer is
Best?
There
are several reputable sound mixers for ENG, EFP, Film,
& Television. Many can be used for any application
with the right sound person. These devices are portable
enabling the sound man/person to move and capture
sound
Rather
than say anything negative about any brand or type
of mixer, focus on the features of a mixer. Often
a 4 channel mixer or more is more desirable for location
sound people. Smaller 2-3 channel mixer/recorders
are good for DSLR audio when the camera is mounted
to the recorder. Separate 2+ channel mixers/recorders
can also be deployed for DSLR HD audio recording.
The
most important feature is to have enough channels
for as many people or audio subjects are on camera.
Some
Popular Reputable Mixers Include:
Wendt
Cooper
Sound
Devices
PSC
Sony
TasCam
Marantz
Zaxcom
There
are other mixers for specific or broad general use
from other manufacturers not mentioned here. The list
above generalizes the most popular field mixers for
location sound. I have used all of these popular ENG
& EFP mixers from the makers above & own PSC,
Sound Devices, Marantz and Tascam EFP/ENG mixers for
location production. I have used other mixers from
Shure, Fostex, Cooper, Wendt, SQN, Zaxcom and a couple
other makers as well. Many people immediately identify
with Sound Devices; however there are many makers
in smaller companies in larger and smaller audio manufacturing
companies that make excellent quality mixers (some
rather costly as well due to proprietary electronics
creating rather noise free audio - a good thing.
Read
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work in, including Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs,
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