Audio Board

Audio is arguably the most vital element when it comes to any form of televised media. If the audio is horrible quality it brings down every other element of the media. In live television the audio board operator is the last line of defense in the between what happens in the studio and on live TV.

The audio board operators job is to do two mic checks before each show. One check for all studio mics and the other for the talents volume settings. The operator must watch the overall levels through out the show when running SOT's (sound on tape) and Packages to ensure that it will stay at the same relative volume for each viewer. Have you ever noticed that the volume gets really loud out of no where when watching a TV program, but you haven't touched the remote? That is because the audio levels are not stable.

Other than the mics the audio board controls the Animation volumes, the Traffic Phone, Packages, and the NBC tease/ending music. When the director rolls the animation the audio operator fades the music so the on camera talent can be clearly heard by the viewer. Occasionally the animation will loop, meaning it will keep going even if it is not seen on camera. The audio operator has control over the sound of the animation. If the audio operator were to slide up the volume without paying attention the sound would be heard on live TV.

The audio operator also has the job to call in the Traffic alert team during weekday mornings.  The operator calls the traffic alert team on the phone and tells them to stand by. Once we lock in the line the phone is connected to the audio board, we then wait for the anchor to toss it to the traffic alert team and turn on the phone mic.

Working the audio board has been a stressful yet fun experience for me. There is a large amount of multitasking involved and you must be alert at all times when operating the board. The smallest change can greatly effect the outcome of the show.