What a Sound Mixer Does on Set
The Sound Mixer, sometimes called the Production Sound Mixer, is the head of the sound department on any film or TV production. They are responsible for capturing clean, usable audio during principal photography. That means selecting and placing microphones, managing the boom operator and any additional sound crew, operating the recording equipment, and making real-time decisions about levels, room tone, and problem frequencies.
A great Sound Mixer is not just technically skilled. They communicate clearly with the director and DP to anticipate coverage changes, they flag problem locations before a take is wasted, and they keep detailed sound reports that save time in post. On a busy Burbank stage or a tight location shoot in the surrounding area, that kind of experience pays for itself immediately.
What to Look for When Hiring
- A strong reel or credits in the format you are shooting, whether that is scripted drama, documentary, commercial, or unscripted television.
- Familiarity with the gear you need, including multitrack recorders, wireless systems, and timecode sync workflows.
- Local knowledge of common Burbank and Los Angeles area shooting environments, from studio stages to exterior locations with traffic and aircraft noise.
- Union status if your production is signatory to IATSE, or the flexibility to work non-union on smaller independent projects.
- References or verified reviews from other producers or production companies.
Rate Context for Burbank
Sound Mixer day rates in the Burbank and greater Los Angeles area vary based on experience level, union or non-union status, the type of production, and the complexity of the sound package required. Union rates are set by IATSE Local 695 agreements and typically scale with the budget tier of your production. Non-union rates are negotiated directly and can range quite a bit depending on the mixer's experience and what gear they are supplying. For most productions, the sound package rental is either bundled into the mixer's rate or quoted separately. Getting a few quotes through a marketplace or direct outreach is the most reliable way to understand what is competitive for your specific project.
How NeedaCrew Makes It Faster
NeedaCrew is a US and Canada marketplace built specifically for film and TV production. Every crew member who joins has a profile with their credits, skills, and location, so you are not sorting through general freelance platforms or cold-calling referrals. You can post your project with the details that matter, including your shoot dates, format, union requirements, and whether you need the mixer to supply a package, and receive responses from Sound Mixers based in Burbank and the surrounding area who are actually available.
If you are a producer or production coordinator ready to staff your sound department, post your project on NeedaCrew and start hearing from qualified Sound Mixers right away.
If you are a Sound Mixer working in Burbank or anywhere in the US or Canada, join NeedaCrew as a crew member to get discovered by productions looking for your exact skills and availability.