Dialogue, effects and music, balanced into the final soundtrack.

The job

After lock, the sound editors prep dialogue, effects, Foley and atmos, and the composer delivers the score. You take it all into a dubbing theatre and mix it: what's loud, what's quiet, where it sits in the room. Dialogue must be clear; music and effects serve the story.

A big feature may have two mixers, one on dialogue and music, one on effects. You deliver the final mix and stems to the broadcaster, platform or cinema spec.

A typical day

• Premix dialogue, cleaning and levelling every line.
• Premix effects, Foley and atmospheres with the supervising sound editor.
• Bring in the music and balance the final mix scene by scene.
• Play back a reel for the director and producers, and take notes.
• Check loudness against the delivery spec, such as EBU R128 for UK broadcast.
• Print stems and the M&E (music and effects) for international versions.

Skills

• Critical listening and a sense of how sound tells a story.
• Pro Tools and large-format mixing consoles.
• Surround and immersive formats such as 5.1 and Dolby Atmos.
• Loudness standards and delivery specifications.
• Working with directors, producers and composers in the room.

Reporting lines

You usually work for a post-sound facility. On a project you work to the director and producers, alongside the supervising sound editor, and agree the schedule with the post-production supervisor. Assistant mixers and sound assistants report to you.

How people get in

Most mixers start as runners or sound assistants in a post-sound facility, then work as sound editors or assistant mixers. Sound and audio degrees are common, and the NFTS teaches sound design for film. Production sound mixers sometimes cross over. Because it is studio-based, most work is with facilities rather than freelance at first.

Next step up

Lead re-recording mixer on features and high-end drama, or a senior role running mix stages at a facility. Some move into supervising sound editing.

Find out more

• ScreenSkills: sound assistant (post-production) profile
• ScreenSkills: post-production career map (PDF)
• Post sound rates: the post cards on the Bectu rate cards index