Moving Images, Understanding Media

Chapter 3 Sound and Image 91

Mixing on the Set

A number of microphones can be placed at diff erent spots around the set

or location, particularly in relation to the actors, in order to capture the

dialogue and sounds occurring in the scene. Th e production sound mixer

implements and oversees the proper placement and function of the audio

devices on the set, oft en directing a team of technicians. Sound professionals

must develop expertise with the selection and use of various microphones

for the unpredictable requirements of location situations. For example, a

cardioid microphone picks up sounds in a heart-shaped pattern in front of

and to the side of its top while a shotgun microphone is used to record sound

at a distance from a precise source.

When shooting takes place, the production sound mixer operates the

device that records the sound during fi lming. Previous to the widespread

integration of digital recording, audio was commonly recorded onto 1/4-inch

magnetic tapes using a Nagra, a portable sound recording device ideal for

synchronized sound recording at constant speed. As digital sound recording

became available in the late twentieth century, production sound mixers

began to use Digital Audio Tapes (DAT), and have since shift ed to other digital

storage formats, such as hard disk recording.

Whatever the storage format is for the audio, the production sound mixer

must set proper levels for each microphone so that sounds are captured within

Figure 3-11 Production still

from The Tale of Two Cities

(1935) with the production

sound mixer at left.

(Courtesy MGM/Photofest)

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