Almost everyone has watched the Oscars and heard of the categories for sound editing and sound mixing. Many people might have voted for their favorite films in these categories, and often, one film wins both awards. This is primarily due to a lack of understanding about the differences between editing and mixing. Both are used in films, but there is a significant distinction between the two that everyone should be aware of. It can be challenging to differentiate between the two, so it’s essential to learn more about the differences between sound editing and sound mixing.
Sound Editing
Sound editing involves creating music to complement a film from scratch. Most of the time, sound or music used in films is recorded in a studio and carefully planned, not created on the set. In sound editing, one creates music or sounds from nothing, making it original and unique to a specific film. In simple terms, sound editing means creating. Sound editing used to be called sound effects, but the newer name gives it a broader scope than just effects.
Sound Mixing
In contrast, sound mixing, in simple terms, means mixing already available sounds into a film. It might sound less complicated, but mixing is still challenging and requires attention. Sound mixing needs the perfect balance to complement a scene in a movie and should be well-prepared to avoid overpowering the film. This process involves combining sound effects, dialogue, and music to emphasize a particular scene.
Key Takeaways
- Sound editing involves creating original music or sounds from scratch, while sound mixing involves combining existing sounds to complement a scene in a film.
- Sound editing is often associated with directors because they create something from nothing, while sound mixing is linked to cinematographers who combine various effects and attributes into one cohesive sound.
- Both sound editing and sound mixing are essential in films and deserve recognition in awards ceremonies such as the Oscars.
