Ohio Production Sound Mixer

I am a production sound mixer (Sometimes Called Location Sound Mixer, Sound Recordist, or Location Sound Recording) based in Cleveland, Ohio. As a the head of the Production Sound Department on a Film or Commercial Shoot, I have a lot of responsibilities; From Recording Clean Dialog, Ambiences, & Action Sounds, to Logging MetaData, Ensuring Audio & Camera Sync, Mixing Reference Audio to Camera, and much more. There is a lot that goes into providing great production sound services.

I’m passionate about exceeding my client’s expectations by delivering exceptionally great sounding audio. I love employing creative solutions to bring the audio recorded during production up to the next level. I have experience with nearly production style:

Commercial
Narrative
Documentary
Reality
ENG / Electronic News Gathering

Corporate
Audio Playback with Timecode / Music Videos
Live Television
Musical Performance Recording
Event Coverage

Every video shoot requires different audio capabilities. Offering scalable field multitrack recording packages, ranging from run and gun bag based production sound packages to a full scale cart based sound recording package with a full team that includes a Sound Mixer, Boom Operator, & Utility. Each gear package is tailored to the needs of your specific shoot!

From Large Scale Multi Camera Productions to Small Run & Gun Crews, I have done it all. I’ve worked with nearly every camera on the market (Including Red Dragon, Red Gemini, Red Helium, Red Mostero, Arri Amira, Arri Alexa SXT, Arri Alexa Mini, Sony F55, Sony F5, Sony FS7, Canon C300, Panasonic Varicam, & Panasonic EVA1), and know how to properly set them up to receive external audio & timecode.

I have more than a decade of experience to draw on, I know what it takes to deliver high quality audio. Having also worked extensively in Audio Post-Production & Audio Restoration, it better informs my job as a Sound Recordist, knowing not only what needs to be captured, but how. Keeping a keen ear out for things that could cause issues down the line in post.

Sound Recordist Based In Ohio

Based in Cleveland, I regularly end up in Columbus, Toledo, Akron, Cincinnati, & everywhere in between. When working in Cleveland and a 50 mile surrounding ‘local zone’ no need for mileage, per diem, lodging, etc. When working within the rest of Ohio, based on distance from Cleveland, mileage, hotel, or portal to portal billing might be needed. Give me a call to chat about your project’s specifics and location within Ohio.

Cleveland Production Sound Mixer for NBA Commercial

Let’s chat about the unique requirements for your production!

Let’s Chat

Why Henri Rapp Recording for Production Sound?

My work shows my passion for high quality sound, I love deploying creative solutions & overcoming challenges to deliver quality audio despite each shoot’s unique challenges. Drawing on more than a decade of audio production experience, I bring a depth of knowledge more extensive than run of the mill sound mixer. Drawing on my experience in recording studios, with post-production, classical music recording, live sound reproduction, & much more. I love unique projects and the challenges that come with them.

Ultimately I let my work speak for itself. Here’s a selection of projects with largely different workflows:

Nike – Come Out Of Nowhere

Recording Studio Quality Voice Over on Location

Recording on location can provide a number of unique challenges, and being forced into an overly reflective locker room to record the voice over for a national commercial spot with Lebron James would not have been my first choice. However with plenty of setup time we were able to acoustically treat the room and turn it into a fantastic sounding & incredibly quiet room. Read my article on recording studio quality voice overs on location.

NFL – Thursday Night Films

Keeping Quality Up With Fast Paced Mobile Shooting Environment

When a shoot demands a fast paced workflow to meet deadlines, or capture an event with a limited timeline I have the tools prepped & experience to get it done right when there are no second chances. Working in high noise environments with little to no control I was able to deliver great sound despite those major challenges. Traveling with a lightweight run and gun bag, boom & backpack full of the essentials from extra wireless lavs, batteries for the full day, mics for each scenario we might encounter, and a few redundant accessories, we kept a light footprint and moved quick.

Champs Sports – Going Numb

Talent In Water – Waterproof Wireless

Anytime water is involved it presents significant challenges for both audio & camera alike. Fortunately for Going Numb, since the contestants are sitting in an ice bath, I was able to source two waterproof transmitters. Another challenge of was mounting the lavaliers & bodypacks wouldn’t come undone during action (i.e. jumping in the water), or the mic coming unaffixed from their shirts.

Childhood League Center – Isaiah & Jeffery

Getting Natural Sound for B-Roll without being Obtrusive

Working for a school that specializes in children with developmental disabilities presents a unique set of challenges and impacts the footprint we can have when shooting around their students. Relying heavily on plant mics & mic’d staff, I was able to capture audio that helped bring this branded documentary a more cinematic & immersive experience. Some of the interview locations presented challenges like excessive reverb & uncontrollable background sound, but close mic placement coupled with acoustic treatment, & a little noise reduction, everything turned out phenomenally.

Sprint – Olmsted Ice

Delivering Quality Audio in Sub-Zero Conditions

One of the challenges of this shoot being at an ice factory was hopping back and forth between warm & below freezing conditions. Working with top tier brands like Sound Devices, DPA Microphones, & Lectrosonics I can be sure my gear will keep working will pushing the limits of workable temperatures. Cheap gear will often break down under these harsh conditions, but I don’t take chances for my clients.

Aaron Lewis – Bluestone Sessions

Recording Studio Quality Music Performances on Location

Recording studio quality audio for a musical performance video with Aaron Lewis created a number of unique challenges. The client wanting the listener to have an immersive experience, I chose a combination of a stereo room mic (to put the listener in the space) & spot mics (to give a defined clear sound). Anytime you use room mics with acoustic instruments, having a quiet space is imperative, so all refrigeration & HVAC was killed

Zach Space – Crossroads

Delivering High Fidelity Sound in Remote Locations

One of the unique challenges of the production sound mixer is being able to deliver high quality sound in extremely remote locations, with limited access to things like power. On the other hand working in isolated locations in rural areas leaves you with quite environments that allow for exceptional boom mic dialog.

Shenandoah – George Jones Sessions

160+ Musical Artist Performance Videos in 4 Shooting Days

Consistently delivering high quality sound when recording so many live performance videos in such a shorts spane demands a lot of prep and being ready for anything that happens. Dealing with numerous grammy winners & big country names, while also working in The George Jones Museum in Nashville, this was one of my most challenging shoots that demanded a lot of pressure to get it right.

Production Sound Gear

Every video shoot has varied sound requirements, I offer field multitrack recording packages tailored to the needs of your production. Ranging from lightweight bag based sound equipment packages to a cart based sound recording system ready for complex workflows with a full team that includes a Sound Recordist, Boom Operator, & Utility. Every equipment package is different based on the needs of your video production.

From Large Multi-Camera Shoots to Small Lightweight Crews, I have done it all. Having worked with most cameras on available (Including Red Dragon, Red Gemini, Red Helium, Red Monstro, Arri Amira, Arri Alexa SXT, Arri Alexa Mini, Sony F55, Sony F5, Sony FS7, Canon C300, Panasonic Varicam, & Panasonic EVA1, etc), and know how to set them up properly for any audio & timecode workflow requirements.

Now matter what gear you need, I’ve got an equipment package to suit your needs:

Multitrack Field Recorders
Wireless Lavalier / Talent Mics
Boom Microphones
Stick / Handheld Mics
Studio Microphones for Instruments

Timecode Sync Boxes / RF Master Clock
Timecode Smart Slates
IFBs / Comteks
Camera Hops
Playback System

IATSE Union Sound Recordist

I’m available to work any union commercial productions or motion picture shoots. I am a sound mixer in good standing with IATSE (Motion Picture Studio Mechanics) Local 209 of Cleveland, Ohio.

Boom Operator

A Boom Operator is a necessary part of the production sound department for Narrative Shoots, many Commercial Productions, & any other shoots that require a higher level of production quality. While on many shoots it is possible to operate a boom while run & guning with a bag based mixer, both the booming and mixing suffer as a result of trying to do two jobs at once. Having a Boom Op to consistently track subjects while the sound mixer works to record it properly. Boom Mics always sound significantly better then even the worlds best sounding lavalier mics, and don’t suffer from such problems such as clothing rub; With a dedicated Boom Operator the production dialog will sound better.

I work with a number of talented boom ops, and can provide an entire production sound team from Sound Mixer, to Boom Operators & Sound Utilities.