Page 28 - Third Issue

Sound Mixing in Nepali Cinema: An
Evolution in Audio Engineering
Introduction
Sound mixing plays a
crucial role in enhancing
the cinematic experience
and immersing audiences
into the world of a film.
In the context of Nepali
cinema, the journey of
sound mixing has evolved
By: significantly over the
Sunaya Man Shrestha
years. This article explores Additionally, sound mixers manipulate frequencies,
the advancements in sound mixing techniques and
technologies, from the early days of mono sound to
the introduction of 5.1 surround sound systems.
Mono Sound Mixing and the Shift to
Nepal
In 1999, the Nepali film industry took a significant
step forward with the establishment of mono sound
mixing within the country. Prior to this, sound mixing
for Nepali cinema was outsourced to Mumbai. The
introduction of mono sound mixing in Nepal allowed
filmmakers to have greater control over the audio
elements of their movies and reduced the dependency
on external resources.
Understanding Sound Mixing in Cinema
Sound mixing in cinema refers to the process of
combining multiple audio tracks onto a composite
sound track, synchronized with the visual content. It
involves using a specialized console equipped with
separate controls for each track to adjust loudness
and various aspects of sound quality. The primary
objective of sound mixing is to achieve a harmonious
balance between different audio elements, creating a
cohesive and immersive auditory experience.
28 ICT NEPAL (Issue-3, 2023)
Balancing Act: The Art of Sound
Mixing
At its core, sound mixing is about achieving
balance. A skilled mixing engineer carefully balances
the various audio elements by panning, placing them
in the mono, stereo, or surround field. This involves
determining the position of sounds in the audio space,
such as left, center, right, low frequency, left surround,
right surround, or anywhere in between.
adjusting the brightness or darkness of certain sounds
to create a desired sonic effect. They also utilize depth
as a tool to establish the perceived distance and
proximity of sounds within a given space, enhancing
the realism and impact of the audio.
Level Balance and Creative Decision-
making
The first aspect that comes to mind when
discussing sound mixing is level balance, which refers
to the relative loudness of different audio elements.
Skilled mixers carefully calibrate the volume levels
to ensure that dialogue, music, sound effects,
and ambient sounds blend seamlessly without
overpowering one another.
Another critical aspect of sound mixing is making
creative decisions about which audio events should
be featured or downplayed. This involves determining
when dub sound, foley, or background music should
take prominence to enhance the storytelling or create
specific emotional responses from the audience.
The Emergence of Surround Sound
With technological advancements, the Nepali
film industry embraced the transition from mono