Production sound mixer
A production sound mixer, location sound recordist, location sound engineer or simply sound mixer is the member of a film crew or television crew responsible for recording all sound recording on set during the filmmaking or television production using professional audio equipment, for later inclusion in the finished product, or for reference to be used by the sound designer, sound effects editors, or foley artists. This requires choice and deployment of microphones, choice of recording media, and mixing of audio signals in real time.
Usually, the recordist will arrive on location with his/her own equipment, which normally includes microphones, radio systems, booms, mixing desk, audio storage, headphones, 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 or multi channels). The recorded production sound track is later combined with other elements, i.e. effects, music, narration, foley or re-recorded dialog by automatic dialogue replacement (ADR).
Mixing console
In audio, a mixing console or audio mixer is an electronic device for combining(also called "mixing"), routing, and changing the level, timbre (tone color) and/or dynamics of many different audio signals, such as microphones being used by singers, mics picking up acoustic instruments such as drums or saxophones, or signals from electric or electronic instruments such as the electric bass or synthesizer. In the 2010s, a mixer is able to control analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer. The modified signals (voltages or digital samples) are summed to produce the combined output signals, which are then broadcast, amplified through a sound reinforcement system or recorded (or some combination of these applications).
Mixing consoles are used in many applications, including recording studios, public address systems, sound reinforcement systems, broadcasting, television, and film post-production. A typical, simple application combines signals from two microphones (each used by vocalists singing a duet, perhaps) into an amplifier that drives one set of speakers simultaneously. In live performances, the signal from the mixer usually goes directly to an amplifier (unless the mixer has a built in power amplifier or is connected to powered speakers). A coffeehouse's tiny stage might only have a six channel mixer, enough for a duo of singer-guitarists. A nightclub stage's mixer for rock music shows may have 24 channels for mixing the signals from a rhythm section and several vocalists. A mixing console for a large concert may have 48 channels. A mixing console in a professional recording studio may have as many as 72 channels.
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