Sound Mixer Sharon Frye's Go-To Gear for Reality TV Productions
Sharon Frye is a seasoned field mixer with extensive experience working on reality television shows like MTV's The Real World and Oxygen's Bad Girls Club. Her job requires her to capture high-quality audio in demanding environments, often under the pressure of 24/7 production schedules.
Frye relies on the Sound Devices 664 Field Production Mixer and CL-6 input control expansion accessory to get the job done. The 664 offers both mixing and recording capabilities, making it an ideal choice for Frye's reality TV productions.
664's Unique Capabilities
The 664's ability to record 16 tracks of broadcast-quality audio to SD or CompactFlash memory cards makes it a valuable asset on set. Additionally, the CL-6 input control expansion accessory provides six more dedicated, rotary faders with PFL switches plus LED metering and illuminated transport controls.
Frye appreciates the 664's intuitive interface, which allows her to quickly balance scenes and capture high-quality audio even in challenging environments. She also values the reliability and confidence that comes with using Sound Devices' gear, which she credits to the company's customer-driven design approach.
Field Mixer's Favorite Features
Frye highlights several features of the 664 as particularly useful for her work. These include the mixer's ability to provide clean ISO tracks directly on the device, allowing her to quickly review and adjust audio levels even when she can't listen to it directly.
She also appreciates the 664's mixing and recording capabilities, which enable her to balance scenes effectively and capture high-quality audio even in complex environments. Frye notes that the 664's ease of use, even in low-light conditions, is another major advantage for her work.