Oscar-Nominated Production Sound Mixer Scott D. Smith Captures The Chaos Of The Bear With Lectrosonics

Chicago, IL — For production sound mixer Scott D. Smith of Chicago Audio Works, a two-time Oscar nominee and two-time Emmy winner, capturing dynamic audio for episodic television requires an incredibly adaptable toolkit. Currently mixing the fifth season of the FX hit series The Bear, Smith realizes his comprehensive audio philosophy by relying on a wide array of Lectrosonics digital and Digital Hybrid Wireless® equipment including DSQD 4-Channel Wireless Receivers, and SMWB Wideband Beltpack, SSM Micro, and HMa Plug-On Transmitters.

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Smith’s passion for audio began at just 12 years old in Detroit, when a family friend who ran an equipment rental house trusted him to tinker with professional sound gear. "I started playing around and thought, 'This is cool. I could do something interesting with this,'" Smith recalls. He moved to Chicago in 1975, working his way through studios before transitioning into his current focus on episodic television.

Today, Smith’s overarching philosophy as a production sound mixer is to leave nothing to chance. “You never know what's going to be used in post-production, so my philosophy is capture everything we possibly can on set and Lectrosonics helps me do that,” explains Smith. “I like the soundscape to represent the environment that we're in, and to add to what's happening visually. It's not just mics on actors; we hide mics on set all over the place. We mic vehicles, we mic sets, or if we need to put a mic in a light somewhere to pick up dialogue, we'll do that. The ability to put a wireless mic in places where we can't get a cabled mic is the difference between getting sound for a scene or not.”

To achieve this level of coverage, Smith deploys a highly scalable Lectrosonics kit that can range from a small, agile bag rig to a massive 36-channel cart. His transmitter inventory includes everything from the SMWB series and miniature SSMs for easily concealing on talent, to HMa plug-on transmitters for booms and plant mics. On the receiver side, Smith's setups span from legacy Lectrosonics products all the way up to state-of-the-art DSQD four-channel digital receivers.

The physical constraints of production often dictate Smith's gear choices. "We have one cart, for example, where all the rack spaces are half-rack spaces," he notes. "We can’t use larger receivers in it, so we rely on DSQD receivers because they pack so much connectivity in a space-efficient package.” He also praises the Dante network connectivity of the DSQD receivers. "The option for a digital connection has been a big plus, allowing us to remote receivers easily without having to have interface boxes, and use what inputs we have available without having to jump through hoops," he says.

On The Bear, Smith faces unique environmental challenges that put the durability of his equipment to the ultimate test. “This season we're working with a lot of water—it’s on the actors, on the set, it's all over the place," he shares. "Protecting the wireless packs is crucial. Having the preformed factory transmitter pouches has been a big plus, and frequently we'll use those along with some additional protection for the transmitter to survive those environments. I haven’t had a Lectrosonics receiver fail me yet.”

Beyond the ruggedness and flexibility of the gear, Smith attributes his decades-long loyalty to Lectrosonics to the company's accessibility and willingness to adapt to the needs of working professionals. "Lectrosonics is constantly innovating, which is great," Smith says. "I started with Lectrosonics early on, sometime in the 1980s, and I've been able to have a one-on-one relationship with the people at the company responsible for developing and marketing the products. That's a huge advantage in our business. They listen to what we've said, take our suggestions, and have been proactive about incorporating them into the products.”

About Lectrosonics

Well-respected within the film, broadcast, and theatre technical communities since 1971, Lectrosonics wireless microphone systems and audio processing products are used daily in mission-critical applications by audio engineers familiar with the company’s dedication to quality, customer service, and innovation. Lectrosonics received an Academy Scientific and Technical Award for its Digital Hybrid Wireless® technology and is a US manufacturer based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Visit the company online at www.lectrosonics.com.

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