Hire an OB Sound Mixer

Are you looking to hire an OB Sound Mixer? The Sab Network is home to some of the best OB Sound Mixers. Follow, connect, hire and be inspired.

What is Outside Broadcasting (OB) media?

Outside broadcasting (OB) is the electronic field production (EFP) of television or radio programs from a mobile remote broadcast television studio (usually to cover television news and sports television events).

A mobile production control room (PCR) within a production van is used in some outside broadcasts.

A professional video camera and microphone are among the tools used in this type of production. Signals from all of this equipment enter mobile production vans, where they are processed, recorded, and transmitted.

Outside broadcasting is used when outside events can't be captured in a studio. A mobile studio is an on-location production vehicle. Inside the van are cameras, vision control, sound mixers, vision mixers, and any other equipment required to produce a television or video production. The gear used is of broadcast quality and can be used for a variety of broadcast programs.

When it comes to outdoor broadcasts, there is frequently a need for intricate audio mixing requirements – particularly for high-profile musical events – while dealing with the restricted space available in vans.

Outside broadcasting is typically used for live events. It differs from an inside studio where the director can re-take a shot since the cameras must roll continuously to capture all that is happening at the time. Everything, including video, audio, special effects, graphics, and commentary, is captured in real-time. Even a minor error can significantly impact the video creation and should be considered during the process.

What is an OB Sound Mixer?

Also known as Mixing Engineer or Production Sound Mixer.

Sound mixers combine all of the sounds and adjust the audio levels continuously to guarantee that the output is clear and clean while adhering to strict technical norms and standards. OB Sound Mixers are in charge of all the sound mixing on a live or outside broadcast (OB).

What does an OB Sound Mixer do?

Although people tend to identify film and television with visual storytelling, the sound is just as vital in these mediums. The production sound mixer, an audio engineer who oversees the production audio crew, mixes and balances the audio as it is recorded, and works to identify and solve the many problems that arise in this field, such as background noise, echo, distortion, and flubbed lines, to name a few, is in charge of capturing audio on set and on location. Every situation is unique and requires a different strategy to capture clean, high-quality audio.

They meet with the producer and director before shooting to discuss the best way of recording sound as well as the director's shooting style. They go to different places to look for potential sound concerns, such as trains passing by or traffic noise. Sound mixers guarantee that audio from radio and boom microphones is recorded satisfactorily for each take during filming. If they point out a flaw, the director must decide whether to shoot another take or fix the problem in post-production.

In the editing of a film or TV drama, a lot of sounds are added. ADR (automatic dialogue replacement), a method of re-recording in a studio, is frequently used to correct speech.

Most film sets are complex for mixers to work in. The rustling of the costumes is audible. Generators hum and cameras point to where a microphone should be placed. Sound mixers are regularly called upon to address difficulties under duress. They have the option of working on a freelance basis.

Depending on the kind and budget of the production, the practical duties of this role may vary. A sound mixer working on a low-budget television documentary (often referred to as a sound recordist in this context) may be able to perform all of the tasks of a typical sound crew by themselves, including setting up wires, affixing lapel mics, and operating the sole boom mic while mixing on a mobile controller. On the other hand, on a big-budget feature picture, the production sound mixer usually works with a large crew, including boom operators, utility sound technicians, cable wranglers, and one or two assistant mixers. Their job might entail a combination of supervision and creative leadership, such as assigning small duties to the crew, like equipment setup and adjustment, so that they may focus on capturing high-quality audio.

Who does an OB Sound mixer work with?

An OB Sound mixer collaborates with various sound professionals:

Sound supervisor

Sound supervisors work closely with all members of the sound team and communicate with all production team members from pre-production to filming.

Sound recordist

Sound recordists are in charge of capturing the dialogue and background tracks on production and producing ready-to-mix recordings.

Grams operator

Grams operators are in charge of adding sound effects to studio or location recordings and live broadcasts.

Boom operator or first assistant sound

A boom is an extendable arm on which a microphone can be mounted. They're made to pick up the sound without showing up in the picture. Boom operators are in charge of operating booms and installing radio or clip microphones to capture the highest quality speech and sound effects possible. To ensure that the microphone is always hidden, they must meticulously note all planned camera motions and illumination requirements.

Sound assistant (second assistant sound, third assistant, utility sound technician, cable person)

Sound assistants help unload, check, and set up sound equipment on the first day of shooting. They locate and eliminate undesirable noise (including installing carpets) as well as check the sound crew's batteries. They may assist in installing clip microphones, negotiating cables on the studio floor, and the proper filing of sound rushes at the end of the day.

What are the Skills of an OB Sound Mixer?

In the midst of a stressful, expensive, and time-sensitive shoot, OB Sound Mixers must be calm and communicative, capable of delivering a precise and professional direction to talent and crew while completely incorporating director instructions. The sound mixer is exclusively responsible for directing the team through any technical faults and sound problems that may emerge. Finally, the sound recordist must be committed to obtaining high-quality audio recordings; a little bit of perfectionism can go a long way, as post-production alternatives for repairing unwanted audio are limited and costly.

Professional Skills

Why Hire an OB Sound Mixer?

Professional-sounding mixes are now more important than ever to be a successful music/film producer!

Many mixing engineers utilise their intuition when mixing songs/audio, so it's essential to find a mixing engineer familiar with your style, genre, and overall feeling. It's also important to recognise that many mixing engineers follow consistent principles:

If this sounds good to you and you're ready to work with our mixing engineers, browse our vetted professionals and find the perfect OB Sound Mixer for your project.

How much does it cost to hire an OB Sound Mixer?

The cost of an OB Sound Mixer is determined by the location, the production size, and the terms of the contract. OB Sound Mixers must stay on set for the duration of filming and may collaborate with editors after that to guarantee that the edits are of the highest quality and clarity. As a result, it's a good idea to budget for a site sound mixer for a few days on production. Sab Network OB Sound Mixers charges are in line with BECTU guidelines and APA on commercial ventures.

Why Choose The Sab Network to hire your OB Sound Mixer?

If you're searching for an award-winning team that has proven to be loyal, trustworthy, and competent, the Sab Network is the place to go. The Sab Network is a referral-only network of industry specialists who can help you with all of your production requirements. This will give you the confidence you require in their ability to do the assignment.

We understand how tough it is to find skilled candidates who can meet our clients' expectations. Our purpose is to help you reach your goals!

Our members have worked all over the world on the biggest events and can be trusted to deliver to the highest standards.

If you have any questions about how The Sab Network operates or would like to discuss any aspect of employing freelancers, please contact us.