There’s nothing better than a good scene shot well with clear audio. In short, it's the basic recipe for crafting a great video. It’s like eggs and butter, or a whiskey and Coke. It's a classic!
Think of audio as the ice in the aforementioned whiskey and coke. It’s a pretty important part of the drink, yet people don’t really think about it. But they should, because who really wants to drink a lukewarm cocktail? We’re certainly not picky when it comes to alcoholic beverages, but that’s where we draw the line!
At ECG Productions, we prioritize great audio mixing no matter the circumstances. But when it comes to field mixing—a.k.a. mixing audio on a set or out in real world environments—we always go above and beyond to ensure top notch quality.
Good audio is like it’s wearing nothing at all, nothing at all
Audio is a hugely important component to any video production. Among other reasons, this is because great audio typically doesn’t draw attention to itself; it just works. Bad audio, on the other hand, sticks out like a sore thumb and can derail an otherwise high-quality production right out of the gate.
Field mixing is different from ADR, Foley, or voiceover work. A field mixer captures the live moments and interactions between acting talent on set using a mixing console. It’s their job to balance the audio on location. It’s a tough job that involves the ability to work quickly and with an inventive attitude.
A field mixer keeps audio tracks from being compromised by noisy plosives. Plosives are loud, fricative “P” and “T” sounds that can ruin a quality recording. Due to their harsh annunciations, these consonants create noise in the signal that can cause audio to “spike.” On the other end of the audio spectrum, you have to ensure the audio isn’t too quiet. It takes a keen sense of balance and no two jobs are the same.
For instance, the audio from a video shot in a vast warehouse v.s. one shot in small air-conditioned conference room will be very different. Both spaces present different audio issues: the first with problematic echoes, and the latter with the low rumble of the AC. But it’s the field mixer’s job to troubleshoot those problems to ensure top quality audio. This requires attentive ears, nimble fingers, and above all else an unwavering attentiveness. At times it’s a tall task, but when you get the audio just right, it makes it all worth it!
Always prepared
In addition, field mixers need to be prepared before they arrive to a production. That means checking each interface, lavalier, and mic clamp to ensure it’s ready to go before they’re on set. Additionally, they must come prepared with back-ups for cables, mics, and other equipment. Getting the audio right is an essential part of a professional production, so they can’t cut any corners or take chances with equipment. And you can bet that that all of ECG's field mixers ALWAYS come prepared!
What's more, at ECG we use the nothing but state of the art field mixing equipment. With our weapon of choice—the Sound Devices MixPre 10T—we're always fully prepared for any situation. This 10 track, multi-channel field recorder is small but mighty, and gives our audio mixers lots to play with in the field.
After the shoot, all audio undergoes mastering and balancing in post-production. That said, you shouldn’t rely on the magic of post-production alone. Plus you’ll get better results if you have a better rough mix before heading to the post-pro suite!
Still confused? That’s okay!
The first step to great audio is making sure you get high quality source files. When you produce your content with ECG Productions, you’ll rest assured that you’ll be starting from the highest quality 24-bit source material, mixed seamlessly on set and painstakingly organized along with your video assets.
Call ECG Productions today to learn more about field mixing and how we can help you tell your story.
