Sound Design Team

sound designer

the person responsible for creating or enhancing the environment of the production through audio playback and live reinforcement, as required.
includes: acquisition or creation of the audio systems needed to reproduce/reinforce the design in the theatre, and the configuration of communication systems for the production

sound engineer

primarily responsible for installing, testing, and maintaining the audio and communication systems specified by the sound designer

responsible for creating and maintaining a safe environment for all members beers of the production as well as for all equipment and cable

responsible for staffing the operation of the performances and the maintenance of the quality of the design throughout the run

mixing engineer

responsible for the operation, balance, and fidelity of musical or other reinforced shows as directed by the sound designer

supervised and directed by the sound designer

should understand the audio systems as well as the operation of all equipment and be available to assist the sound engineer in troubleshooting and maintenance, as necessary

microphone dresser

responsible for tracking wireless microphone placement, designing appropriate attachment equipment, and supervising all wireless microphone dressing and maintenance during performances

assistant sound engineer

responsible for assisting the sound engineer, mixing engineer, and mic dresser

the specifics of this position will change with each production as appropriate

design process

for dance: sound designer must work closely with the choreographer. before sound was the responsibility of the choreographer, they would select a song and play it through the sound system. only in ballet setting was it different with live orchestra

collaboration is KEY when designing sound, setting expectation/goals, communicating about the dance and expressing practical concerns at the beginning of the process. a designer must be AWARE of any licensing concerns

script with sound cues

sound design paperwork
comments in the margins of the documents; after all sound cues are listed , the sound designer can forward the document to the director and other designers

cue list

sound design paperwork
serves as a record of all sonic events within a production. describes each sound "event" by assigning categories like cue number, duration of cue, location of cue in the script (act, scene, page number, etc.), a line or event in the production that initiates the start of the event, and name of cue

the sound diagram/schematic

sound design paperwork
represents the components of the entire sound system. this diagram is conceived and completed early in the sound design process

this diagram is VITAl to the successful installation of the system, especially if a crew is available to install it

speaker plot

sound design paperwork
illustrates precisely where the speakers are in relation to the stage, seating, lighting, and scenic elements

this allows the designer to visualize the placement of each sonic event within the space and its potential audibility

equipment manifest

sound design paperwork
lists each amplifier, speaker, microphone, cable, computer, and signal processor necessary to execute the design

microphone plot

sound design paperwork
this spreadsheet helps the designer visualize the complexity of employing a limited number of microphones to adequately amplify a large cast

act/scene breakdown

sound design paperwork
this list serves as a deconstruction of a script into a simpler list of scenes by acts

each listed scene include important info like the location of the scene (setting), characters in the scene, and other facts that may impact sound design choices

equipment rack diagram

sound design paperwork
this diagram illustrates the placement of important rack-mounted sound gear such as signal processors, equalizers, and amplifiers

notations about user-defined settings on this equipment can be added to this. also useful for other sound technicians on the sound design team

sound console settings

sound design paperwork
this image allows the sound operator to check all console settings prior to a performance