Freelance Location Sound Engineer — Interviews & Live Performances

Freelance Location Sound Engineer — Interviews & Live Performances

John Kind Studios LLC | Boston / New England | Contract

ABOUT JKS

John Kind Studios LLC is a creative production and strategic services company serving New England and Atlanta. We bring together creative professionals to deliver video, photography, audio, design, storytelling, and educational projects.
Our mission: Make what needs to happen, happen.

THE ROLE

We are expanding our New England location sound roster with responsive professionals who can capture clean, dependable audio at client locations.
Assignments may include interviews, documentary portraits, organizational storytelling, events, and acoustic music performances. This listing focuses on location recording; remote audio post-production may be considered separately.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess recording spaces and identify noise or acoustic problems.

• Select, position, and operate microphones appropriate to the assignment.

• Monitor audio throughout recording and maintain reliable recording levels.

• Coordinate synchronization and recording workflow with the camera team.

• Capture room tone and maintain backup recording where required.

• Deliver clearly labeled files and useful recording notes.

• Communicate equipment requirements, location concerns, and technical risks early.

• Collaborate with the videographer, project manager, and editor.

EQUIPMENT AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must provide a specific equipment inventory, including:

• Professional field recorder with suitable microphone inputs and recording capability.

• Lavalier and boom/shotgun options appropriate for interview work.

• Closed-back monitoring headphones.

• Microphone stands, boom support, cables, batteries, and recording media.

• A practical synchronization and backup workflow.

• Ability to deliver organized 24-bit/48 kHz WAV recordings.

For acoustic performance assignments, identify any suitable stereo or instrument microphones and your experience recording instruments such as violin and piano.
Ownership of every microphone type is not required. Disclose equipment gaps and proposed rentals before accepting an assignment. Additional purchases and rentals require advance approval.
COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

Responsiveness is essential. Members must check Slack directly, use their role and relevant shared channels, and respond to Project Snapshots by their stated deadlines—even when unavailable or declining.
Accepted assignments require timely acknowledgments within agreed response windows, clear technical communication, and dependable file handoffs.

We value preparedness, collaboration, initiative, and pride in the quality of the finished production.

ASSIGNMENTS AND COMPENSATION

This is freelance, assignment-based work. Project volume, hours, and immediate bookings are not guaranteed.
The proposed full-day compensation starts at $500 for an agreed day of up to eight hours, including setup and breakdown, with the equipment package specified in the assignment. Shorter bookings, specialized equipment, travel, and overtime will be scoped and agreed separately.

Each assignment will have agreed responsibilities, compensation, scheduling, equipment, and payment milestones before work begins.

No unpaid recording tests or production work are requested during selection. Paid work begins after required approvals, signed agreements, and initial client payment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of professional location sound or relevant recording experience.

• Demonstrated ability to capture and monitor clean dialogue.

• Knowledge of microphone placement, gain staging, room noise, and synchronization.

• Reliable equipment and file-management practices.

• Ability to travel to agreed New England locations.

• Strong communication and collaboration with production teams.

Acoustic music recording experience is particularly welcome.
TO APPLY

Submit your resume, equipment inventory, relevant recording examples, home base, travel range, and current availability.
For each sample, briefly explain what you personally recorded or handled.

Pay: From $500.00 per day

Work Location: In person