Production Sound Mixer David Rit Captures The Epic Soundscapes Of The Three Musketeers And The Count Of Monte Cristo With Lectrosonics

Paris, France — For production sound mixer David Rit, capturing the audio for France's most ambitious recent blockbusters—The Three Musketeers saga and The Count of Monte Cristo—required a blend of meticulous preparation and rugged technology. Faced with 150 days of shooting, swashbuckling action sequences, and elaborate period costumes, Rit relied on a robust Lectrosonics wireless kit featuring DSR4 and DSQD four channel digital receivers, DPR-A plug-on transmitters, SSM Digital Hybrid Wireless® micro transmitters, and DCHT digital stereo portable transmitters to deliver pristine sound.

Rit’s path in production sound for the French film industry was borne from an early love of two disciplines. “Sound engineering was initially a way to combine my passion for music with my scientific studies,” he shares. “But it wasn’t until I was studying at the Louis Lumière School (also known as the Vaugirard School), that I truly discovered sound for film, which I then pursued.” After graduating in 1994, he spent years honing his craft as a boom operator, working with legends like director Bertrand Tavernier. Transitioning fully to mixing in 2010, he has since joined the sound department for major productions including Eiffel, Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life, and the TV series Carême.

His recent work on The Three Musketeers presented unique challenges that tested the limits of location sound. “The Three Musketeers remains my biggest project to date—150 days of shooting and a five-star cast—with complex sequence shots where traditional booming was difficult involving fight choreography and horseback riding,” Rit shares. To tackle the challenge, Rit devised a solution using the Lectrosonics DCHT digital stereo transmitter. “In addition to a DPR-A on the boom mic, I found it useful to have a stereo microphone in line with the camera,” Rit explains. “Thanks to the DCHT digital stereo transmitter, I was able to maintain stereo continuity in line with the camera throughout the sequence shots, which was greatly appreciated by the sound post-production team.”
For the period epic The Count of Monte Cristo (a massive success with nearly 9.5 million admissions in France), Rit relied on the SSM micro bodypack transmitter to handle the elaborate costumes of the 19th-century setting. “Whenever I have to place a wireless microphone on an actor, they are delighted with the size of the SSM,” says Rit. “While occasionally choosing DSSM transmitters for their water-resistance in specific weather scenarios, the compact form factor of the SSM remains my go-to for talent.”

To navigate the increasingly crowded RF environments presented by these elaborate productions, he relies heavily on Wireless Designer software to scan and coordinate frequencies. His receiver arsenal has also evolved with the increases in complexity, moving from SR-series units earlier in his career to the modern DSQD and DSR4 digital slot receivers, noting that "for the boom mic digital RF has become crucial because the dynamic range is much better than with analog.” He also praises the DSR4 for its ability "to do a lot, despite its very small size."

Ultimately, Rit’s loyalty to Lectrosonics stems from the brand’s ability to survive the physical rigors of filmmaking. “There are many reasons why I remain loyal to Lectrosonics,” Rit concludes. “Despite sometimes challenging locations, with mud or cold, rainy weather, I have very few problems because Lectrosonics products are extremely reliable and rarely breaks down. This is obviously a huge perk on a film set. Plus, not everyone can brag about participating in the filming of a swashbuckling movie. Those are wonderful memories and Lectrosonics helped me do it.”

Rit has recently completed work on the Apple TV series The Decision and is currently shooting the Netflix crime series In the Mists of Capelans.

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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