The Role of Re-Recording in the Final Theatrical Sound Mix

A re-recording mixer is in charge of assembling the entire soundtrack and refining it for technical and aesthetic quality in the post-production process for film and television. They bring together the efforts of the sound effects editor, Foley artist, music editor, and dialogue editor to create one cohesive sound product that seamlessly complements the images on screen.

 

 

A re-recording mix is typically hired at the beginning of post-production and reports to the supervising sound editor. This individual collaborates closely with the larger post sound department, producer, and director to expertly combine the various audio elements that comprise a film or television show.

His or her first task will be to create a soundtrack for the show's audience previews. They refine the audio by combining the various separate tracks after all sound effects and dialogues have been completed. Adding crossfades and balancing the volume of the score beneath the dialogue, as well as ensuring that dynamic sounds are neither too soft nor too overpowering, are all part of fine-tuning the audio. At this point, the music in the film is usually part of a temporary soundtrack created by the music editor and music supervisor, and it may or may not make it into the final cut.

Mixing is done in a dubbing studio, which usually has a large mixing console, a theater-style projection screen, and limited seating for viewing rough cuts. In this way, re-recording mix provides the final theatrical sound mix for a cinematic production so as to share the story effectively.