A sound designer is a theater or media professional who is responsible for composing the final soundtrack for a performance or film. A sound designer may have a variety of tasks on a daily basis, depending on the size and type of production, such as communicating with the creative team, recording or finding sound effects, creating a soundtrack, or looking for new projects. Sound designers typically work in post-production on films, but in live theater, they may work throughout the pre-production period as well as during the production schedule.
One of a sound designer’s most important responsibilities is to communicate with directors and producers about the soundtrack. In the theater, the designer might start watching rehearsals and reading the script to determine which sounds should be created with effects. Following the completion of filming, television, or commercial production, the sound designer may be called in to determine where and when sound effects are required, based on on-set recordings and the director’s vision. Working with the creative team allows the designer to create a finished product that fits the production’s atmosphere and aids in the communication of intentions through sound in the film or performance.
After a few meetings, the designer can start looking for the right effects for each sound cue. This could entail searching sound libraries for suitable cues or even recording effects to match a specific sound. Depending on the scope of the project, the sound designer may be solely responsible for this task or may delegate some of the work to assistants and technicians.
The sound designer may be in charge of creating the final sound mix for the finished product once the cues have been created and organized. This may entail using advanced computer software to create a blended soundtrack that incorporates dialogue, effects, and music for film, video games, or television productions. In this role, the designer functions almost as an orchestra conductor, ensuring that the sound mix is properly balanced and nuanced. Instead of a single sound designer, the process of creating the final mix on large productions may involve several sound professionals, including mixers, editors, and supervisors. Because performance timing can vary from night to night, the final mix in a live performance is typically a sequence of cues that can be manually played in the correct order.
Because most sound designers are self-employed, a large part of their day-to-day work may consist of looking for new projects. To attract new clients and find new jobs, freelance designers must have basic advertising skills as well as strong social abilities. Many designers also devote time to learning how to run their business as a small business, as they may be required to be licensed and taxed. Though designers are creative at heart, having a good business sense can help ensure consistent work.