An audio editor is a professional who specializes in the sound in movies and television shows. He or she is in charge of synchronizing dialogue, correcting errors, mixing music, and maintaining the overall sound quality. Typically, this position necessitates many years of study and apprenticeship. At the end of the day, the editor can be proud of himself or herself for adding a layer of realism to a production.
An audio editor typically begins his or her education at a technical school. These two- or three-year programs include courses in audiology, equipment, and production techniques to help students prepare for a career in sound. Few audio editors go straight from school to the editor’s chair; instead, they work as assistants for several years, assisting with post-production work and getting a feel for editing responsibilities.
After a film or television show has been recorded, an audio editor completes all of his or her work. The audio engineer is in charge of recording the sound of performances, while the editor works with the finished tapes or audio files. A sound studio with a large mixing board and at least one television screen is typical of an audio editor’s workspace. The large mixing board is frequently replaced by a single computer running audio editing software that the audio editor is familiar with. To help perfect these effects, the editing takes place with the visuals on screen.
The audio editor’s primary responsibility is to synchronize all on-screen sound with the audio tracks. The dialogue spoken by the actors, as well as other sound elements, are included in the audio tracks. The music for the production is also crucial, and it must be played at specific volumes and times to achieve the desired effect. Furthermore, sound effects must be perfectly timed at this point. Any production gains realism and believability by properly matching voices, music, and sound effects.
Finally, the audio editor hands over the finished product to a director or production team for final approval. They all watch the show or movie together to see how well the audio and visual elements work together. If the audio editing contains any errors or areas that are unsatisfactory, the editor is asked to correct them. One of the most common changes audio editors make at this stage is to the overall sound level.