TV sound engineer and mixer

The television sound engineer—also known as a broadcast mixer—mixes the audio live for a program, news broadcast, sports game, or filmed concert. From the sound control room, they balance the microphones of the hosts and guests, live interviews, field reports, and music, and deliver audio that meets broadcast standards.

What does a television sound engineer and mixer do?

Before the broadcast, he sets up the control room with the sound crew: lavalier and handheld microphones, wireless connections, on-set monitors, and lines for live interviews and field reports. During the rehearsal, he adjusts each audio source and builds his mix.

During the broadcast, he follows the show’s host and the director’s cues. He turns on the microphone for whoever is speaking, cues the reports, manages remote guests, and corrects any synchronization issues between audio and video. At a game or concert, he also mixes the ambient sound from the audience and the field.

He constantly monitors the sound level. For television, the CSA’s resolution of July 19, 2011, sets the average sound level of a program at -23 LUFS; the sound engineer must maintain this level live, without being able to make corrections afterward.

Antenna mixer or post-production mixer: What's the difference?

The live broadcast mixer works in real time: he has only one chance, and his mix goes out to viewers immediately. The post-production mixer works on recorded programs in a control room and can replay each sequence. In the film industry, this position is called a mixer.

The broadcast mixer also differs fromthe front-of-house sound engineer, who mixes for the live audience in the venue. During a live broadcast, the two often work together.

Who does a television sound engineer and mixer work with?

He works with the show’s director, who runs the control room, with the script supervisor, and with the hosts, whose instructions he hears through his headset. He directs the sound technicians on set, who set up the microphones and manage the connections.

He also communicates with the production technician and with the channel’s master control room teams, who send the program to air.

What skills do you need to become a television sound engineer and mixer?

You need to be proficient in using digital consoles, microphones, wireless systems, and broadcast standards, and know how to measure a program’s sound level. A solid understanding of audio networks has become essential in modern control rooms.

This job requires, above all, quick reflexes and a calm demeanor: during a live broadcast, you have to react within a second to a microphone that isn’t working or a guest who starts speaking without warning. You also have to be willing to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

How much does a television sound engineer and mixer earn?

In television, the minimum wage depends on the employer—whether it’s a network, a production company, or a technical service provider—each of which is governed by its own collective bargaining agreement. Therefore, there is no single pay scale for this position. The public benchmarks are those of the sound industry:

The market figures come from France Travail’s L1508 form, which shows that 98% of new hires are on fixed-term contracts lasting less than one month. Many sound engineers work as freelance workers; to be eligible for benefits, a technician must demonstrate at least 507 hours of work over a 12-month period, according to the France Travail guide for freelance workers.

What kind of education do you need to become a television sound engineer and mixer?

France Travail states that a career as a sound engineer is accessible with a degree ranging from a two-year post-secondary program to a five-year post-secondary program in sound, audiovisual studies, or music technology. People often start as sound technicians on set before moving on to the mixing console.

At ESRA, the ESRA Sound program is a three-year course leading to a state-accredited “ degree ” degree (equivalent to a three-year post-secondary program), with more than 700 hours of instruction per year; in the third year, the audiovisual sound specialization covers sound recording, sound editing, and mixing. The ESRA Film program offers a specialization in broadcast directing, focused on television studios, live broadcasts, and live recordings. DuringESRA Sound Night at the New Morning, television production students handle the concert recording.

What career opportunities and prospects are there?

Television sound engineers and mixers work for television networks, program production companies, mobile production truck providers, and sports event broadcasters. They also work on concert and show recordings, as well as live online broadcasts.

Career paths lead toward major live events, such as sports or ceremonies, toward technical direction in a control room, or toward mixing in post-production.

Sources: CSA resolution of July 19, 2011, published in the Official Journal; France Travail, ROME code L1508, and the guide for freelance workers. Verified on September 29, 2026.

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