Sound Editing Vs. Sound Mixing: Key Differences

Sound editing and sound mixing are two professions that play a crucial role in post-production. They are both important elements of film and music, but there is a difference between the two. Sound editing involves the selection and placement of sound effects, dialogue, and music to create an overall soundscape for a project. On the other hand, sound mixing involves manipulating those sounds to create a cohesive mix that works in harmony with the visuals. By understanding the differences between these two processes, we can ensure that our projects are given the best possible audio treatment. So, let’s learn all about sound editing and sound mixing!

What Is Sound Editing?

Sound editing is an essential part of the post-production process in film and television. It happens before the sound mixing stage. It is the process of manipulating sound recordings to achieve the desired outcome, whether it be to remove mistakes or awkward pauses, or to add sound effects and dialogue. The sound editor must carefully manipulate the audio recording in order to create a seamless and immersive experience for viewers. This involves adding Foley sounds, adjusting levels, and adding diverse sound effects in order to make the experience unique. Basically, the sound editor, more or less, decides what you hear on a film.

At HookSounds, we have an extensive sound library that you can choose from! We’re experts on the matter, we have a wide range of royalty free music and all sound effects you can imagine. We know sound editing involves a team of professionals who are responsible for finding sounds that fit the film’s story and tone, and here you can find them!

This year, Top Gun: Maverick by Joseph Kosinski, won the Oscar for Best Sound and here it is why:

– Best Sound Editing In Movies

Here we’ll see some of the best sound editing in movies:

• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015): This is the 2016’s Oscar Winner for Best Sound Editing. It really makes a difference to hear such a rich sound editing added to this post-apocalyptic film. This movie has one of the best car chase scenes ever.

• Arrival (2016): This movie is not only incredible, but it also has one of the best sound editing out there. Did you know that the sound team actually hiked up a mountain in New Zealand just to record some native birds from there? Worth it because those sounds, with a bit of adjusting, gave us astounding alien voices.

• Dunkirk (2017): We’ve mentioned Dunkirk by Christopher Nolan in so many blogs before because this movie is really intense. This movie has one f the best sound editing and sound mixing out there, check it out!

What Is Sound Mixing?

Now that we’ve learned what sound editing is about, let’s talk about Sound Mixing, which is an essential part of the filmmaking process.  Basically, it involves taking all the individual tracks in order to mix them to create a balanced soundscape. This is done by adjusting levels and making sure that each element of the mix works together to create an overall effect that conveys emotion and enhances the story. Sound mixing is responsible for making sure that the sound experience is overall pleasing, adjusting the right balance of volume and dynamics of each individual track or stem. And yes, this is very difficult, and it can be even tedious, but the results are amazing. It ensures that viewers are able to hear every detail in a scene, allowing them to become fully immersed in the story.

The sound mixing process also has creative choices that directors can make in order to achieve the desired effect for their film. This includes selecting specific sounds and deciding how loud or soft they should be, adding reverb or other effects to enhance certain sounds, and more. Post-production is where these creative decisions are made in order to create a unique sound experience for the audience.

One film with amazing Sound Mixing is Ford vs. Ferrari, which won two Oscars for Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing, take a look here:

– Best Sound Mixing In Movies

• Inception (2010): The way sounds are layered in this movie is as complex as the movie itself. The sound mixing team made such a good job in creating a soundscape so immersive. It won the Oscar for Sound Mixing back in 2011.

• The Matrix (1999): This movie is also super mentioned at HookSounds’ blogs because of its impact. The bullet scene is just extraordinary, and so is the sound of it.

• Bohemian Rhapsody (2018): This movie won back in 2019 the Oscar for Best Sound Mixing. Did you know that the Sound Mixing team used three different voices to recreate Freddy’s amazing voice? I don’t know about you, but we couldn’t tell!

Where To Get Music and Sound Effects?

If you’re looking for music and sound effects, look no further because at HookSounds we count with an extensive royalty free music and sound effects library that you can add to your projects!

We have different licenses for different needs! Apart from that, you can try out our FREE TRIAL and check out what HookSounds is all about. If you have any questions, please email us to support@hooksounds.com or simply chat with one of our support agents who are online 24/7, and we’ll be more than happy to help you out (: