Unique Production Sound Solutions

Experienced Cleveland based production sound mixer & location sound recordist for TV, film, & commercial video production avaliable for shoots in Pittsburgh PA. Every type of work has unique challenges and great sound doesn’t happen by accident; Let’s join forces to craft an exceptional sonic experience to match your video production’s visual elements.

Pittsburgh Production Sound Mixer & Sound Recordist

Production Sound Mixer & Location Sound Recordist

Henri Rapp: Pittsburgh Production Sound Mixer

Production Sound Mixer Henri Rapp

Hi, I’m Henri Rapp, a Production Sound Mixer & Location Sound Recordist for TV, Film, & Commercial Video Production. I’m based in Cleveland, and available in Pittsburgh a short 2 hours away. Ultimately I believe my job as a Sound Recordist is all about capturing performances; Whether that’s a documentary interview, comedian on stage, a musical performance, or actors in a narrative film…..it’s all about fixing those moments in time.

Prior to specializing in recording sound for video, I originally came from a recording studio background where I produced music & did audio post as well as did some live sound for events. Having this experience is invaluable as it still shapes the way I approach audio today. This comprehensive skillset proves to be a critical when video productions overlap into these worlds creating unique challenges.

Recording sound isn’t just a “Job” for me, it’s my passion and I’ve been doing it for more than half my life (in fact since I was a teenager recording bands). Now having more than a decade of professional experience as a sound mixer, I ensure the job gets done right the first time. When you hire me, you can expect quality through experience coupled with an extensive knowledge base & top tier sound equipment. I love unique projects and I am equipped to handle projects of any scale.

Let’s chat about a sound solution tailored to the unique needs of your production!

Production Sound Clients

Unique Location Sound Solutions

Every production has unique challenges; Whether complex high channel count shoots, contending with a steadicam oner, capturing a live performance (and the audience), a fast paced shooting environment as a solo operator, or something as simple as a single camera sit down interview; each type of production has it’s own needs. Let’s work together to find a sound solution tailored to the needs your video production.

• Commercial Video Production

Commercial videos vary a lot in content and scale; So it’s essential to be flexible to meet any sound needs within the production’s specific workflow. From simple lines direct to camera to complex blocking of talent and camera with a ton of moving parts; let’s talk about your needs and provide a quote on an equipment package tailored to the needs of your production.

• Documentary Productions

Most documentary shoots consist of sit down interviews, verité style shooting, and b-roll with accompanying natural sound. Since interviews are often the backbone of the story in documentary content, capturing clean dialog is of the utmost importance. Documentaries often require shooting in less than ideal or uncontrolled environments, so being prepared for whatever challenges arise is critical.

• Musical Performance Videos

Musical artist performance videos have become an increasingly popular production style. Coming from a recording studio background, I have the experience to deliver quality musical recordings. Capturing quality music performances is all about recording each instrument cleanly while minimizing bleed for other adjacent sources. Music has a lot of harmonic rich sources that can obfuscate each other when mixed together; Based on the context of the sources, style of music, instrumentation, and many more factors will determine the recording approach that allows the sources to sit together naturally. How music recordings are captured has one of the biggest impacts on the end results of a recording.

• Reality TV Sound Recordist

Reality shows are fast paced and all about capturing moments in real time. To make the reality shooting style possible, the workflow typically involves high wireless count (such as talent mics, hops to cameras, & producer IFBs). With the long take “always filming’ approach of reality TV, timecode sync becomes an essential consideration as well as delivering reference mixes to cameras.

• Narrative Film Sound

Sound for narrative films is one of the most challenging types of content to record sound for and has some of the highest level of expectations for quality within. Delivering quality production sound is only made possible by working with a full production sound team consisting of a sound mixer, dedicated boom operators, and utility sound technician and collaborating with other departments to find solutions to the challenges that arise during production.

• ENG & Broadcast Television

Broadcast Television & TV News have very specific and highly necessary workflows to adhere to whether doing a taped piece, live hits, pool duty, man on the street interviews, etc, each has its own nuances, and in TV news its all about being prepared for anything. Having done hundreds of collective days for NBC, ABC, NFL Network, ESPN, CMT, NBA TV, and more, I’m equipped, experienced, and ready to join for join your TV news crew.

• Sound for Comedy Specials

Recording sound for a comedy special isn’t just about capturing the comedian, but the audience in the room as well. Having done a number of comedy specials, I’ve got the experience to deliver high quality production sound for this unique style of production. With comedy specials typically having high camera counts and long takes, maintaining multi camera & audio sync is essential. There is a lot more that goes into it than simply recording the show; Check out my case study on recording a Netflix Comedy Special!

• Audio Playback w/ Timecode

Films, Music Videos, & Commercials often need audio playback to match performances to music. Scalable PA speaker systems and playback files striped with timecode fed wirelessly to a smart slate to burn in timecode on camera as a sync marker. This makes sync in post incredibly simple even when shooting on cameras that reference mics can’t be used with (like the Arri Alexa Mini).

• Commercial Video Production

Commercial videos vary a lot in content and scale; So it’s essential to be flexible to meet any sound needs within the production’s specific workflow. From simple lines direct to camera to complex blocking of talent and camera with a ton of moving parts; let’s talk about your needs and provide a quote on an equipment package tailored to the needs of your production.

• Documentary Productions

Most documentary shoots consist of sit down interviews, verité style shooting, and b-roll with accompanying natural sound. Since interviews are often the backbone of the story in documentary content, capturing clean dialog is of the utmost importance. Documentaries often require shooting in less than ideal or uncontrolled environments, so being prepared for whatever challenges arise is critical.

• Narrative Film Sound

Sound for narrative films is one of the most challenging types of content to record sound for and has some of the highest level of expectations for quality within. Delivering quality production sound is only made possible by working with a full production sound team consisting of a sound mixer, dedicated boom operators, and utility sound technician and collaborating with other departments to find solutions to the challenges that arise during production.

• ENG & Broadcast Television

Broadcast Television & TV News have very specific and highly necessary workflows to adhere to whether doing a taped piece, live hits, pool duty, man on the street interviews, etc, each has its own nuances, and in TV news its all about being prepared for anything. Having done hundreds of collective days for NBC, ABC, NFL Network, ESPN, CMT, NBA TV, and more, I’m equipped, experienced, and ready to join for join your TV news crew.

• Reality TV Sound Recordist

Reality shows are fast paced and all about capturing moments in real time. To make the reality shooting style possible, the workflow typically involves high wireless count (such as talent mics, hops to cameras, & producer IFBs). With the long take “always filming’ approach of reality TV, timecode sync becomes an essential consideration as well as delivering reference mixes to cameras.

• Musical Performance Videos

Musical artist performance videos have become an increasingly popular production style. Coming from a recording studio background, I have the experience to deliver quality musical recordings. Capturing quality music performances is all about recording each instrument cleanly while minimizing bleed for other adjacent sources. Music has a lot of harmonic rich sources that can obfuscate each other when mixed together; Based on the context of the sources, style of music, instrumentation, and many more factors will determine the recording approach that allows the sources to sit together naturally. How music recordings are captured has one of the biggest impacts on the end results of a recording.

• Sound for Comedy Specials

Recording sound for a comedy special isn’t just about capturing the comedian, but the audience in the room as well. Having done a number of comedy specials, I’ve got the experience to deliver high quality production sound for this unique style of production. With comedy specials typically having high camera counts and long takes, maintaining multi camera & audio sync is essential. There is a lot more that goes into it than simply recording the show; Check out my case study on recording a Netflix Comedy Special!

• Audio Playback w/ Timecode

Films, Music Videos, & Commercials often need audio playback to match performances to music. Scalable PA speaker systems and playback files striped with timecode fed wirelessly to a smart slate to burn in timecode on camera as a sync marker. This makes sync in post incredibly simple even when shooting on cameras that reference mics can’t be used with (like the Arri Alexa Mini).

Union Sound Mixer in IATSE Local 209

IATSE & NABET Union Sound Mixer

As a union production sound mixer, I’m available to work any union productions. I’m in good standing with IATSE (Motion Picture Studio Mechanics) Local 209 of Cleveland, Ohio & NABET-CWA Local 16 of New York City. I can work as a local in Ohio, or as a distant hire for productions in other jurisdictions.

NABET-CWA Local 16 Sound Mixer

Every shoot is unique, get in touch to discuss your production’s challenges!

Experienced Sound Recordist in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

When hiring a sound recordist, there is no substitute for experience. Having been working as a sound recordist for more than a decade, I’ve worked on nearly every type of content and have seen it all. From small crews with minimal footprint to large scale productions with complex workflows, I’m ready to integrate into your crew and workflow. There is no secret to great production sound, just high end recording equipment and the experience to effectively use it in each scenario you encounter. My work speaks for itself, showing passion for high quality sound with a track record for executing a wide range of productions styles.

Scalable Sound Equipment Packages

Every video production has it’s own unique needs based on it’s content, shooting style, and workflow requirements; This defines the sound equipment package needs for each production. Offering scalable packages from lightweight bag based gear to larger cart based packages, let’s have a conversation and put together an equipment package tailored to the needs of your production.

  • Field Mixers w/ Integrated Multitrack Recorders
  • Control Surfaces
  • Automixing, EQ, & Compression
  • Realtime Noise Suppression
  • RF Master Clock
  • Timecode & Genlock Sync Boxes
  • Timecode Smart Slates
  • Audio Playback w/ Timecode
  • Boom Mic Kits w/ Interior & Exterior Mics, Wind Protection, etc
  • Wireless Lavaliers / Talent Mic Kits
  • Wireless IFBs Headsets for Client, Producers, Directors, or Reporters
  • Wireless Camera Hops (Camera Links for Reference Mix)
  • RF Distrobution & Remote Antennas
  • Computer w/ Audio Software, RF coordination Software, etc
  • Plant Mic’ing Solutions
  • Stick Mics & Studio Microphones
  • Dante & Networking Equipment
  • SDI Video Monitoring
  • Van w/ Folding Cargo Ramp
  • Equipment Transport Carts
  • Additional Support (Media, Stands, Shot Bags, Cases, Tent, etc)
  • Field Mixers w/ Integrated Multitrack Recorders
  • Control Surfaces
  • Automixing, EQ, & Compression
  • Realtime Noise Suppression
  • RF Master Clock
  • Timecode & Genlock Sync Boxes
  • Timecode Smart Slates
  • Audio Playback w/ Timecode
  • Boom Mic Kits w/ Interior & Exterior Mics, Wind Protection, etc
  • Wireless Lavaliers / Talent Mic Kits
  • Wireless IFBs Headsets for Client, Producers, Directors, or Reporters
  • Wireless Camera Hops (Camera Links for Reference Mix)
  • RF Distrobution & Remote Antennas
  • Computer w/ Audio Software, RF coordination Software, etc
  • Plant Mic’ing Solutions
  • Stick Mics & Studio Microphones
  • Dante & Networking Equipment
  • SDI Video Monitoring
  • Van w/ Folding Cargo Ramp
  • Equipment Transport Carts 
  • Additional Support (Media, Stands, Shot Bags, Cases, Tent, etc)

Let’s face it, equipment matters. It’s the having the right tools coupled with the experience to effectively use them that enables the capture of high quality recordings. High end equipment doesn’t just sound great, it performs reliably in less than ideal conditions from extreme temperatures or weather to congested RF environments or noisy spaces. I bring top tier equipment to all my client’s productions.

Learn more about the equipment your production needs: Producer’s Guide To Gear

Production Sound Mixer Available In Columbus

Production Sound Mixer available on location with van and sound cart

While based in Cleveland, I work in Pittsburgh as a sound recordist on a regular basis. Working on location as a production sound mixer efficiently and at a high level requires detailed preparation and a continually evolving workflow optimized over years. Pull up the van, roll off the cart, and together let’s craft an exceptional sonic experience to match your video production’s visual elements!